Display problems

[Chairborne]

Anyone have Ideas to help?

My PC was working fine, then next startup the display is all screwed up and blurry with green booger size splotches checkerboarded all over the screen.

Can't see well - hope you can read this.

Aha I thought the cable must be bad - checked it -'tis fine.
Hmmm, the monitor must be bad. Plugged in a replacement and it was same..

I've concluded that it must be a software problem or bad video card. Tried all the troubleshhoting I know (which is very limited)

Anyone have any advice or suggestions? If it does mean bad video card - anyone suggest a replacement that deosnt cost too much? Now I have an ATI 9800pro 128MB.

Thanks in advance.

[Sgt_Sl@ughter]

Hey Chairborne,

When the system is booting up, frantically press the F8 key to enter the Boot Options screen. Assuming you are running WindowsXP you should be able to select Safe Mode. Once in safe mode uninstall the ATI Display Drivers. Then reboot.

On boot up WinXP should install the default (WindowsXP Version) ATI 9800 drivers. My guess is that if this clears up the boogers, it is likely a software problem (i.e. mainly a corrupt driver)

If this clears upthe problem , I would be tempted to leave the generic drivers running so that you can go to the ATI site to retrieve and install the most recent Catalyst drivers.

If you already tried this then sorry for wasting your time and hopefully someone else can give some suggestions :D

[Parasitic]

Have you tried both the DVI and VGA inputs? (DVI using the VGA converter of course) I was in the same boat as you with my 9800 which I ended up replacing with a X800XL for about 260. Overall it depends on what you find to be a reasonable price. I think the new X1300's AGP are under 200 but if you want to find an average price from online retailers for vid cards visit http://www.pricewatch.com/video%5Fcards/ then tack on an extra $50 - $150 if you want to buy it from retail.

If you have an extra AGP sitting around or another pc try doing a swap to see if it's the same result. That will tell you if you truly need a new vid card. My situation was the graphics would sometimes degrade until one day it just went to straight crap and I could not even play.

[Chairborne]

Thanks for the quick help Slaughter & Beaner.

I tried the driver thing - no luck there either. Wasn't real sure how to do this until I read your email - THANKS!

I checked the video card prices - now my head is spinning. I'm friggin exhausted. I'll try again tomorrow - THANKS!

It's sounding more like a video card thing. Unfortunately it's not a monitor problem. I wish it was 'cause then i'd have a readon to replace this ginormous monitor with a new flat screen. Also I can figure out how to plug in a new monitor. Opening up the case for a new video card - now thats a different thing. Probably easy.

thanks again

[SOJA]

My video card wont "snap" into place on my motherboard. The little latch that locks it in is broken, so when the cable connecting the monitor to my video card gets bumbed or jarred, it actually dislodges my video card a bit. I see weird checked patterns on the screen much like you described. All I have to do is reach around the back of the PC (standard reach around) and move the cable so it pushes the video card back in place. That fixes it, although sometimes I insist that my computer buys me dinner first.

My suggestion is to unplug the power cord, open the case and make sure the video card is securely in place.

Also, if you suspect your video card is going bad, take a trip up to the local Best Buy or Circuit City and buy a similar sized ATI card. Try it out and if it doesnt work then you know your old video card was to blame. After that, return the video card for a full refund and tell them that your computer doesnt have an AGP slot. Then save up for an upgrade.

[Tortelvis]

It sounds like you are not comfortable going inside the case, much less a Mr. Purple "reach around". SO if you decide to venture inside, do as MrPurple says and unplug the computer ( I do this at the power supply, not the wall csocket. Then press the start button to discharge any stored energy in the power supply. Make sure to be well grounded. I usually touch the prongs (on the back of the power supply) where the power cord was just unplugged from. Now just go slow and dont force the issue. Its easier than you think once you get in there.

[McFeely]

Actually it is recommended to just power off not unplug the power cable. If you tap the power supply a couple of times then keep in contact with the case you will have an unbroken circuit and there is no risk of causing damage to your parts inside. All you are really doing is discharging static electricity which naturally occurs. The capacitors in the power supply will stay charged even if you disconnect and hit the switch.

[SaskNewfie]

Make sure to be well grounded.
A couple of months ago when Pongo suggested I buy BF2, I assumed my computer met the minimum requirements. Once I installed the game, it kept crashing and then I did some digging and found out the hard way that I needed to upgrade. So, I went out and bought a new video card and ram. Thinking I was grounded out I installed both. Once I booted up I was greeted by an alarm from my computer. It tured out that I shorted out my motherboard. That was the second time in six months that I had to replace my motherboard, so I simply bought a new computer. The moral of the story...It cost me over $2000 to play this damn game and I suck at it!!

Gotta run...Montreal and Carolina are starting overtime...go habs go!!

[SaskNewfie]

go habs go!!
Well, that was quick...looks like it's gone habs gone...Up your's Carolina!

[Tortelvis]

Sorry to hear about your Habs. I got lucky and my Sharks are in the second round against the oilers. Both teams well rested it should be a good series.

I know what you mean about this game, its a money pit isnt it.

[Chairborne]

wHELP FINALLY GOT AROUND TO WORKING ON THIS, LOOKS LIKE i NEED TO REPLACE THE VIDEO CARD.

aNDYONE KNOW HOW I CAN TELL IF I HAVE AN AGP PR PCI EXPRESS, ETC?

THANKS!

[Tombstone]

How old is your motherboard? Unless it is pretty new (last 6-12 months) then it should be AGP. If you know what make or model, post it.

']['

[Chairborne]

Found out today by opening the case it is in fact an AGP slot.
Good thing I checked as I was convinced it was PCI and pulling my hair out.

I'm leaning toward buying the newer ATI X1300 althou someone recommended the 9600XT from ATI. So now I'm stumped. Is newer always better? Crap, guess I'll flip a coin.

[Parasitic]

Uh 9600XT from 9800 Pro is like downgrading. Go for the x1300

[Chairborne]

Beaner - you duh man.
I went with the X1300 and things are cookin again.
Opened the case without even wettin my pants!

Thanks for all your help evry1 - hope to be playin again soon.

[EnsignPulver]

Dont venture in there unprotected. Use a condom, I mean a grounding strap on, I mean a grounding strap.