now i got a major video problem

test_tube_tony

:banghead: LOL! Now my DVI output video signal is somehow messed up. I was using AOL instant messenger when my main monitor started to flicker and dim. I did all the usual troubleshooting stuff like rebooting, taking the card out and reinserting it, swapping monitors, driver reinstall, the works. The picture is slowly getting worse on it. Is this a known problem? Or is my card frying? And if I can’t straighten it out, how or can I get an RMA?
:bawling:

TheSmJ

Tony forgot to mention that the computer works fine when POSTing.


Now Tony, did we forget about posting ALL the details when your asking for help with troubleshooting?

Geeky1

Want to try formatting and reinstalling? That's my usual advice when it appears that you've tried everything else...

test_tube_tony

No thanks. Im pretty sure its a hardware problem because of how it happened out of the blue. At first i thought my monitor went bad.

Geeky1

Well, if you think it's a hardware problem, do you have another card to test in the comp.?

test_tube_tony

well, the seccondary output still works fine. I use dual monitors. Using my seccondary as the main right now.

TheSmJ

Geeky1 had this to say
Well, if you think it's a hardware problem, do you have another card to test in the comp.?

Also, do you have another comp to test the card in?

test_tube_tony

Well, theres my sister's computer, but she is in bed, so it will have to wait till tomorrow.

Geeky1

Just because one output works doesn't mean it's fine. You need to try the card in another computer and/or try another card in yours.

TheSmJ

Kick her ass outa bed, it's only 11:05.....

Straight_Man

POSTING uses a lower refresh rate, much lower. Problem might be monitors, both, if the substitute was older, or after a driver install not setting the refresh rate to something the monitor says in its manual it can handle. IF you get another monitor to work for a while, try going to the monitor mfrs site and seeing if they released a new INF file for the montior itself, the newer one. Even copying that monitor PNP\mode inf file plus (I hope) installer combined in an archive to floppy can be useful, if you have to, after getting on another box. Some will even run from floppy and install the inf and trigger Windows new hardware detection so the corrected inf gets installed-- some need to be copied to desktop first, then run. That has happened to me with about 20 different brand monitors over the years, with XP down to 95 OSR2. holding down control (CTRL) key and dragging file gets a real copy and not a shortcut if you need to do that. Once you have doen that, consult the newer mfr's tech support about possible power circuit in monitor failure. I think this is a mode switch as GUI comes up issue, or a damged Power Supply ciruict in both monitors issue, and the first of these two is much more likely. I have had this with a switch to directx 9(or other more recent directx from what is there beofre upgrade) and new drivers for card that support directx 9 (or the new directx), sometimes optimum for card does not match monitor's real optimum for that color depth and res as to the refresh rate. It IS possible for an inf file to get corrupted sometimes also (rare, but HAVE seen this).

A digital flat panel can be raced by fast a refresh rate, then it will never FULLY charge each pixel, so can a regular monitor, but a regular monitor should show more junk and flickers and not dimmness at first (dim monitor that has dimmer on higher res and refresh rates and color depth is typically a dying power supply in part if it is not digital). How much time for it to go dim??? Any chance too much is running in your room for the circuit to handle, or that the monitors were both plugged into an old and crystallized socket???

Oh, one diagnostic trick to start, is to see if computer will go into safe mode. Safe mode uses less strenuous setting for monitor, so if monitor then works, try going into the video dialog, then Settings, then advanced, then a low refresh rate, click apply, click ok, then reboot\restart. If that does not work with either of two monitors, at lowest refresh available in safe mode, RMA video card by contacting the mfr's tech support, tell them card will not adjust to either of two montiors right, tell them what you have done, and after having done all of this they will probably RMA\Replace and trash the card on arrival and ship a new one. If it does not work with only new monitor, diag is internal monitor PS (power supply) circuit failure, progressive, in new monitor and they should RMA\Replace if under warranty.

That diag tree has never failed to get a very prompt replacement of card or monitor at need for me, and if it is PS in monitor and it is still under warranty tell them you want either a refund or a cross-ship, they will probably offer the cross-ship at that point, and if pissed ask them for a UPS call tag to be generated for old junk that was a lemon and died if you live in US. If very good, they will arrange that also, then you can pack old in new box, and have UPS pick it up with a phone call free to you if the driver does not just show up with a prepaid tag wanting your return.If the tech rep says no, tell him\her you want a supervisor on the phone pronto if you call, and if in email tell rep you need a toll-free number to call because you need to talk to supervisory management in tech support as you are sure thing is fubarred and warranty actionable.

John.

test_tube_tony

I tried setting it to 60Hz, but still no good. Keep in mind, I'm still using the card, just on the other port. I just can't use dual monitors like im used to because one of the ports is aparently bad. And for all I know it could still happen to the seccond one. Any monitor plugged into that port is just plain dim now. It isn't a gradual thing at this point.

Also, the entire system is running on an APC 1500. I dout there is a power problem.

Well, if worst comes to worst, its an excuse to upgrade.

Straight_Man

Well, one bad port is good reason to RMA card. The idea of this was to isolate between card and monitor. REAL test would be to put new monitor on another box with a digital out, and if it does not mess up on that box, RMA card. Period. Put something you think might be bad in two situations, even if you have to take monitor to a friend's house. If monitor will not work in your box connected to same monitor that works on another card, you have proven reasonably well that montior is not at fault and card is. That is enough for most mfrs.

That is actually part an iterative Occam's Razor slicing and dicing, logically, but most folks call it isolation of problem using emprical methods to eliminate all but what is wrong until one thing is left still acting bad. Or process of elimination. ONLY other things it could be is the PSU in computer undervoltaging card but not rest of box, or corrosion or bad monitor cable. If monitor cable is fixed to monitor and cannot be removed, then that (bad cable) is monitor warranty issue unless as happend to my boss the CAT ate the insulation-- he has a cat who is seemingly addicted to minor electrical charges or likes the taste of insulation of many kinds or is just irrascible, eats network cables, monitor cables, phone cables, vacuum cleaner cables, etc. Boss has replaced two cAt5 cables, two vacuum cords, all monitors in house are heavily electrical taped (cat does not like glue used on electrical tape).

Looks like most likely card, all three bad (monitors and card) very unlikely. RMA card first, then monitor under warranty if needed after testing with new card. Sorry, least cost is to RMA unless you really want an upgrade and got a cheap card this time. How old is card??? Sometimes the person or company you got it from can be talked into taking it back.

John.

test_tube_tony

I've had it for about half a year I think. I have a new development! after leaving that port disabled all night, I tried it out again. It actually worked for about 2 minutes, before it went dim again. Really weird don't u think? It wasnt cool tho, it got my hopes up.