Hey, I've got a problem with my computer display, and since I haven't been able to find a solution anywhere else on the internet, I figured I'd give you guys a try. I get these black horizontal lines across my monitor every time I turn the monitor on. They go away after a little while, so it's not too much of a problem, but lately they've been coming up more frequently and taking longer to go away. Now here's where the question gets tricky. I've had this problem for about two years now (like I said, they go away after a while, so it didn't bother me too much), over the course of which I've replaced my monitor once and my video card twice. The problem has persisted through each hardware change. I've also tried reinstalling my video drivers and turning off hardware accelleration, neither of which has done anything. The computer is home-built with an amd athalon 1.3gh processor (old computer) running windows xp, and the current video card is a Radion 7000 series. If anyone has any ideas, I'd be glad to hear them.
So, you've changed cards and monitors. Motherboard and the rest of the Pc the same? Location/system setup the same? I'd be skeptical about it being the motherboard, but you can try flashing the bios. I'd be more inclined to think its some sort of interference if you've tried different cards and different monitors and the behaviour is the same.
I would agree that you've got some sort of outside interference maybe. Do you have speakers, telephone or anything remotely magnetic next to the monitor or sitting on top of it?
Other than that, I guess if you haven't rebuilt the computer software wise, then maybe it's worth a shot, but I don't see that as being the problem really.
Are you familiar with the lines on Trinitron monitors? Are these the same ones?
On Trinitron monitors, in case you didn't know, there are either one or two fine thin horizontal lines that stretch across the entire width of the monitor. I don't have a picture handy to show you.
This is a CRT monitor, as was the last one. They aren't the same kind of lines as a Trinitron, these lines go all the way from the top of the screen to the bottom, and they do go away after a couple of minutes of use. They also fluctuate with regards to width and the distance across the screen they travel, although most go all the way across.
Originally posted by Guru ZimOK, do you have a fan, cellphone, or speaker anywhere near the monitor?
Or is there a fridge on the other side of the wall? A microwave antennae on the roof above you? Does anything else in your house behave oddly?
I can't even imagine what could cause vertical banding on a monitor. Given the way the gun draws the screen, I wouldn't have believed it even possible unless you were telling me about it.
It's most likely to be either outside EMF interference or dirty power. Testing either one independantly is likely to be difficult unless you've got a power conditioner handy. Have you tried attaching the monitor to another computer at all? Or taking it to a friend's house?
The problem has persisted through a move (from Florida to Connecticut, no less), so I don't think it's interference from an antennae or anything structural like that. The banding is horizontal, not vertical, so don't worry about that. I don't have a cellphone and the fan isn't anywhere near the monitor. I DO keep my speakers on the same plane as my monitor, but they're on separate shelves and are each about a foot and a half away from the monitor. I was waiting to see if you guys had any other suggestions before I tried moving the speakers, as they are a pain in the ass to move because I have to disconnect them first.
Well, I'd recommend moving the whole computer to a different part of the house. Just put it on a table or something. Fire it up and see if you have the same problem. If so, it is hardware and not the environment (unless it is your power, but that's not really likely unless you are over or undervoltaged... but your powersupply should still be taking care of that if it runs)
I'm guessing you don't have a power conditioner because I don't have one and I'm geekier than you are
I'm assuming it won't happen once you move it, so it is probably something in the room. Just remember fans are motors, and spinning things are usually EMF producers (if you ever tried to listen to AM radio in a poorly shielded car you know what I mean).
One other piece of hardware to look at it if it turns out to be hardware is the power cord to the monitor. I know sometimes when I set up a new machine I use the cord from the old one - make sure it isn't frayed or chewed on by a cat. (Thanks, Kira!)
Okay, I tried a couple things. I moved the speakers and changed the power cord, but neither of those things made any difference. I tried testing it with my fiance's LCD monitor, and I DID NOT get the lines with that. I don't know what that means. I still haven't tried moving the computer completely, I figure that's best saved for a day when I can clear the decks.
It means that there is either a problem with your monitor, or a problem with the location that affects a CRT but not an LCD. This could still point to magnetic field interference.
Your best bet is to move the entire computer and see if there is still a problem.
I might be pulling this out of my ass, but what if his refresh rate was way too high or low? Would that cause this type of problem? I am using a LCD screen on my desktop, so I can't try it myself.
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I've previously tried messing with the refresh rate, it doesn't seem to make a difference. I should have the time to take my computer apart some time this week, I'll let you guys know how that works for me.
UPDATE: I went ahead and moved the computer clear across the apartment today. I made sure it was as far away from absolutely everything in the room as the power cord would allow. It still got the lines. I don't know if anyone has any other ideas, but so far everything I've tried has been a bust.
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=protein-computer-games-foldit I guess this is some sort of interactive version of Folding@home. Has anyone checked it out?