Weird display problems...

[Tchoin]

This is becoming really annoying, ever since I plugged my monitor, 22" LCD Westinghouse LCM-22w2 with various inputs (which I previously used for my consoles), I get this weird "blinking" issue. It usually happens when I'm at the desktop for example scrolling really fast through a lot of files, the screen goes completely black for a second and then comes back. It also happens when trying to watch movies or videos in fullscreen, with that it's almost impossible to watch a damn movie... The thing is it doesn't happen with games, I can run them smoothly without a single blink from the screen. My guess is it would be something related to the screen resolution as it changes to a lower resolution when using games.

I'm using a 1680x1050 resolution, plugged via DVI, and with a GeForce FX 5700LE (AGP).
I think the video card can easily handle that resolution, though maybe it can't :confused:

I have installed the latest drivers, and also tried using other resolutions but still have the same problem.

I have yet to try going through VGA maybe it's the DVI cable or the connector but again, that would not justify why I don't get this problem when using games.

It comes to a point which it's just a pain in the ass, right now I was trying to do some work in AutoCAD but it was just unbearable... it really pisses me off :DOH:

Thanks in advance for any help/suggestion :thumbsup:

[Dark Seraph91]

I have that problem sometimes when the drivers are bad. Its hard to tell you what to do, Honestly I havent used AGP in awhile.

[easyXmode]

have you tried plugging in another monitor and seeing if the problem is still there? it might be your video card dying :/

[Tchoin]

It does not happen with another monitor, I've tried with the other 2 LCDs I have from my other computers. And tried this monitor on the other computers and works just fine.
I'm beginning to think it might be a CPU problem as z_killemall suggested today.
Damn, it really pisses me off.

[retro]

It sounds like an issue with the PC - I would suspect the graphics driver/card, personally. Sounds like it is unable to process and render everything fast enough, so craps out. CPU is a possibility, too. You could try turning off fancy effects in Windows, though. Control Panel > Display > Appearance > Effects.

Take a looky here:

http://www.afreesupport.com/fastest-xp-settings.php

AGP is old now - it's probably time to think about an upgrade ;-)

[Michael]

I'm also going to assume that your resolution is fine since it's it's native resolution. I'm also assuming you're using the same input for the games (ie you're not playing xbox360 games through component inputs or anything).

Sometimes it can be a sync issue. Try a different refresh rate.

It's possible that it's a poor quality cable that can't fails under the higher data rates. Try playing a game at the same high resolution. Try a different cable or the vga cable. If the vga cable also has the same problem, it's going to to be either the monitor or the video card (but you may be able to temporarily solve the problem just by lowering your resolution).

Take a look at the capacitors on your video card and motherboard. Try a monitor that will handle that high of a resolution. Try a different video card or even your onboard video.

When all that fails, smash the computer with a sledgehammer and buy a new one.

[retro]

Yup, default sync on all LCDs is 60Hz.

[Tchoin]

I think I'll go for the sledgehammer option :dammit:

I've tried everything and the monitor works fine with any other console/PC and even my laptop... well the only thing I've got left to try is buying a new, good quality DVI cable just to cross out all possibilities. Anyway it's time for a change, haven't upgraded that PC since 2003-2004 lol.

[mooseblaster]

What refresh rate are you using? One of my old monitors used to flip out at 75Hz, but was fine at other rates.

[Tchoin]

Bump, problem magically solved by a brand new VGA cable :dance:

WTF... lol, though it seems what's busted is the DVI port, or part of the video card as I couldn't fix it with a new DVI cable.

Anyway, mystery solved :katamari:

[retro]

Glad you've "fixed" it. If you tried it on DVI on the other computer and it was fine, then I would suspect your graphics card, or at least it's DVI port.