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Video problem

Discussion in 'Techno-Magic' started by The Great Snook, Apr 5, 2007.

  1. The Great Snook Gems: 31/31
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    [​IMG] I'm hoping some of our more technical people can help me diagnose a problem I've been having.

    Sometimes (around 60% of the time), when I first turn the computer on, I get wavy colored lines on my monitor instead of the normal views.

    In order to get them to go away, I have to hold the power switch down until the machine shuts down and then power back up. This works 100% of the time.

    If I hit the reset button the computer reboots, but the problem still exists.

    I'm guessing that my possible problems are the video card, motherboard, or power supply. I'm guessing power supply, but I'm curious if anyone has any thoughts.

    I'm pretty sure it isn't the monitor as I have two monitors hooked up and they both show this wavy line pattern.
     
    The Great Snook, Apr 5, 2007
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  2. Morgoth

    Morgoth La lune ne garde aucune rancune Veteran

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    You have the two monitors hooked up at the same time? If so, then one of the monitors could still cause the problem; try testing each monitor with the other unplugged.
     
    Morgoth, Apr 5, 2007
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  3. The Great Snook Gems: 31/31
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    I'll give it shot, the problem with testing is, it only happens when I first turn the machine on after being off overnight or someother extended period.

    Why so surprised by dual monitors? Once you try it you will never be able to go back to having just one.
     
    The Great Snook, Apr 6, 2007
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  4. Ziad

    Ziad I speak in rebuses Veteran

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    Strange coloured lines are usually a sign something's wrong with your video card, or that it's overheating (because the fan isn't working maybe?). Although in my experience wavy lines tend to be due to interference, either with the monitor or the cables (I'm assuming you've got CRTs). Never seen both problems combined though.
     
    Ziad, Apr 6, 2007
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    One CRT and one LCD.

    Shouldn't be an overheat problem as it only happens on initial startup and the card can't be any cooler than off.
     
    The Great Snook, Apr 6, 2007
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  6. Old One

    Old One The Old Warrior Veteran New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    Try reseating your video card, we have what sounds like the same setup and the first time I booted up this system after putting it together I had what looked like vertical color lines on a little over half of both screens. I pulled the card after trying several other things, checked it, replaced it and the problem was gone.

    You are so right about having 2 monitors!
     
    Old One, Apr 6, 2007
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