My system kills monitors!

[Blackmage]

This is a random guess, but could the graphics card be sending an overvolt of current over the display out? which the 17" monitor can handle but these newer ones can't?

[hayek]

switchmode: I used different power cables as well as vga, so don't think thats the problem. & I think I it's almost impossible that I would have 4 faulty monitors (from two brands!). But it equally doesn't make sense that there are no apparent faults when using 17", which points to the 22" monitor as the problem. But then the monitor works fine on alternative systems, pointing to my system being at fault!!

Blackmage: That could be the case, I suppose. I could try undervolting it. I also had the idea that I could try it at the 1024x... resolutions that my 17" is at, to see if its the combination of components or the combination of settings.

But I don't want to kill it again in the process

[Blackmage]

switchmode: I used different power cables as well as vga, so don't think thats the problem. & I think I it's almost impossible that I would have 4 faulty monitors (from two brands!). But it equally doesn't make sense that there are no apparent faults when using 17", which points to the 22" monitor as the problem. But then the monitor works fine on alternative systems, pointing to my system being at fault!!

Blackmage: That could be the case, I suppose. I could try undervolting it. I also had the idea that I could try it at the 1024x... resolutions that my 17" is at, to see if its the combination of components or the combination of settings.

But I don't want to kill it again in the process

People have been saying it's doesn't look like the graphics but i think all fingers are pointing at it.

[finnrogers]

Ditto, but only at high resolution. Obviously the signal is different at high resolution compared to 1024x768.

[hayek]

Hey all, more to report. (It is quite confusing, so bare with me. I am increasingly convinced it looks like the graphics card is failing, but doing some manic swan song before it dies!)

I tried running a dual-monitor set-up with my 17", this was with an LG 18" (strange size!). The 18" started to flicker.

I then ran the Samsung 22" first at 1280x1024 through the dvi port that had the 17" monitor in. It now displays with a strong pink hue, but didn't seem to wobble (I only ran it for a few minutes). I swapped cables and this didn't make a difference. I swapped to the other dvi port (the one that previously had the 18" connected). Colours displayed as normal. So I ran at 1024x768, and the wobbling began again!

That suggested that perhaps I had kept plugging the 22" monitors into the port that was causing flickering and wobbling, but when I plugged the trusty old 17" pack into that port, it was fine again!

Incidentally, the 17" also displays with a pink hue when plugged into that port. That is what makes me think the card is starting to fail, and perhaps the problems with the 22" are because of this. But if this is the case, it has been happening very slowly, as the problem arose back in June 2007. Also, again, it doesn't fit that the 17" still seems to work ok.


On the plus side, I will have access to a pci-e system this weekend. Is there anything I else I need to try apart from:

Pop that graphics card into my rig and use the 22"?
Pop my graphics card into the other system and use 22"?

Thanks for all the help so far! If my suspicions are correct, next I will be asking for tips for a new cheap passive graphics card of equal or better power!

[Blackmage]

Hey all, more to report. (It is quite confusing, so bare with me. I am increasingly convinced it looks like the graphics card is failing, but doing some manic swan song before it dies!)

I tried running a dual-monitor set-up with my 17", this was with an LG 18" (strange size!). The 18" started to flicker.

I then ran the Samsung 22" first at 1280x1024 through the dvi port that had the 17" monitor in. It now displays with a strong pink hue, but didn't seem to wobble (I only ran it for a few minutes). I swapped cables and this didn't make a difference. I swapped to the other dvi port (the one that previously had the 18" connected). Colours displayed as normal. So I ran at 1024x768, and the wobbling began again!

That suggested that perhaps I had kept plugging the 22" monitors into the port that was causing flickering and wobbling, but when I plugged the trusty old 17" pack into that port, it was fine again!

Incidentally, the 17" also displays with a pink hue when plugged into that port. That is what makes me think the card is starting to fail, and perhaps the problems with the 22" are because of this. But if this is the case, it has been happening very slowly, as the problem arose back in June 2007. Also, again, it doesn't fit that the 17" still seems to work ok.


On the plus side, I will have access to a pci-e system this weekend. Is there anything I else I need to try apart from:

Pop that graphics card into my rig and use the 22"?
Pop my graphics card into the other system and use 22"?

Thanks for all the help so far! If my suspicions are correct, next I will be asking for tips for a new cheap passive graphics card of equal or better power!

This what i would try.

1. Plug monitor into other system try all the resolutions possible at 60hz + refresh rates (If is ok try 2)
2. Plug your card into the new pc then do the resolution checks + refresh rates(if you get problems try 3)
3. Put the new graphics card into your pc to check all the resolutions at 60hz + refresh rates (If is all is ok, then it's you graphics card)


Hope it helps

[hayek]

Thanks Blackmage (and for the previous help),
I have (initial) news! I am part way through following the above.

1. Worked fine on the other system; no sign of any problems.

2. (Note: the other system's graphics card is a low profile (Radeon X1300/1550 according to dxdiag) and as such won't fit in my case, so I have had to do an out of box set-up, which means any tests could be still potentially be hiding any installation issues such as standoffs that Jay mentioned previously)
Nevertheless, I have had the system running for about 15 or 20 minutes on a variety of resolutions etc. and there hasn't been a flicker/wobble or black-screen flash or anything, so at the moment, it seems to be completely stable. Although I will keep it running for awhile.

3. I am loath to do this, as mentioned the system has a low profile card and is in a tiny case (and a Dell system still under warranty!) so my big fat graphics card won't fit in the system. I don’t really want to have to take apart the other system. I know this is a shortcut, but having successfully run the monitor on 2 separate systems and on mine with the graphics card replaced with no initial signs of problems, is it reasonable to conclude that the evidence is pointing solely at my graphics?

[finnrogers]

I assume your responses to #2 and #3 are reversed. Why won't the low profile gfx card fit in your rig?

It does indeed seem as though everything is pointing at the gfx card. Is it under warranty? It might be worth taking it to your local pc shop and getting them to test it properly to confirm 100% that it's the problem before you shell out £££s on a new one. Testing fees are usually between £5 and £20 - but definately worth it for the peace of mind.

[hayek]

It does indeed seem as though everything is pointing at the gfx card. Is it under warranty? It might be worth taking it to your local pc shop and getting them to test it properly to confirm 100% that it's the problem before you shell out £££s on a new one. Testing fees are usually between £5 and £20 - but definately worth it for the peace of mind.

The lip on the bracket to attach it to the case was half height as well on the dell card. So it was obstructing the card; I couldn't get the card anywhere near the socket!

I couldn't add my graphics to the small dell case, because the dvi ports wouldn't line up becuase the case was designed for the pint-sized card, so it wouldn't fit in that slot either!

I'm currently investigating the warranty status, bought it about 13 months ago. It looks like it might be a 2 year warranty... I sincerely hope so!

If not I think I will try get it tested somewhere, because if it is the graphics, dying in a strange way!

[peterb]

A (very) long shot, but when ypou swapped the monitors over, did you swap the connecting leads as well? If so, try using the original 17" monitor cable with the new monitor.

(Only a thought because if the sockets are'n't lining up correctly, you might get odd effects if the plug on the new cable doesn't fit the socket properly, while the old one does - but this is really clutching at straws...)

[hayek]

A (very) long shot, but when ypou swapped the monitors over, did you swap the connecting leads as well? If so, try using the original 17" monitor cable with the new monitor.

(Only a thought because if the sockets are'n't lining up correctly, you might get odd effects if the plug on the new cable doesn't fit the socket properly, while the old one does - but this is really clutching at straws...)

Fortunatley, my laziness has tested this possibility a few times. The rationale for this was twofold; troubleshooting and not having to crawl behind my desk!