CPU problems
 

My screen has been flashing on and off and it's pissing me off. It did this a while ago when it was new and it stopped for like a year, and now it's back again. Anybody know what's causing this? I checked all the connections and everything looks good. I thought it might have been overheating maybe, but it was 63 degrees in my room when it was doing this. It flashes off for a couple seconds, then back on, then back off for a few seconds, then back on. Is the screen taking a ---- or what? It was doing this when it was new, but it stopped for a while. Should I just ignore it until it doesn't work anymore? It still looks good and I have no other complaints. It's a Dell flat screen, not a flat panel and it's maybe a year old. Any help? :-\
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Re:CPU problems
 

1. A flat screen monitor is not a CPU :P
If it's only a year old, take it back and exchange it for a new one. Does it flash on and off with another monitor plugged in? If it does, then it could be your video card.

Re:CPU problems
 

Thats what hapens when you look at so much porn :P.

Re:CPU problems
 

agreed

Re:CPU problems
 

Thanks.

I don't know if it is the computer or the monitor. I didn't know I had to be so damn technical about it. Sorry if I offended any of you computer nerds, or should I say CPU nerds? :P ::)

Any real help? :-\ I have no other monitors like some of you freaks so I have no way of testing. I bought it from Dell and I would imagine it would be a nightmare to send it back and wait for them to send me a new one. I doubt I even have a warranty anyways. :(
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Re:CPU problems
 

there might be something loose where the cable plugs into the back of your monitor. i had this prob on a very old monitor i used to have... i had to setup like 5 cds behind the cable to hold it up in there

Re:CPU problems
 

Hmmm....this one only has one actual connection in the back(the power). The other one that goes to the computer, tower, CPU, whatthefuckever doesn't disconnect. I can wiggle the cables all over the place and they don't make a difference.

Damn, I thought maybe this was a simple problem and I just had to change a setting or something.
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Re:CPU problems
 

who knows its hard unless im there to tell ya.. or at least able to look at your screen through net meeting or something

Re:CPU problems
 

Well I'd tell you to take out the AGP card (AKA video card if its solo card) and put it back into the slot and then try it but since u dont know the difference between a CPU and a monitor I dont know what to say... HAH! Just messing with ya! ;D

Honestly, since you have limited computer knowledge and it seems as if the problem occurred at the same time as when you got the monitor, I'd suspect it is the monitor. I'd just contact Dell and see what they say. Some companies are nice enough to ship out a new monitor to you and then when you do get it you can ship back your bad one... So there is very little down time.

I hope that helps...

Re:CPU problems
 

Hi mate,

Look for external stuff.
Ie a speaker sitting next to the psu of the monitor etc

When it flickers ... does it switch off, Ie power light goes off, or does it go black with a green/ amber light on the monitor.

ok if it goes Green or amber .. most probable cause will be
1) Overheating
2) no siginal from VGA card
3) out od sync.

If it has a green / amber power light.
have u tired doing the self TEST.
To do the self test you must
1) leave the pc and monitor on
2) unplug the VGA cable - normally with the BLUE or ORANGE end to it.

Have u tried it in safemode.
To get into safe mode.

Restart the PC F8 on startup, then chose safemode.


If no power to monitor (no lights) then
Most likley problem being power adapter/ Lead for the monitor being faulty

Have u tried to move your PC about, Ie move it into a diffrent room, Open a window to circulate air. (to rule out enviromental factors).

If your using Windows XP / Windows Me have u tired to use System restore :- to restore your computer to an earlier Time.

If using windows 98 /98se the scanreg /restore
To find out the version of windows look in system properties.

Ok iam guessing when u mean Flat screen but not a TFT u mean a CRT (tube) monitor with a flat surface,
I still think ur monitor is on the way out, if its flickering or going on and off.


hope info help.
if ur unsure POST on here, ill help.

Re:CPU problems
 

yah my monitor at home flickers too :-X

Usually a good smack fixes her right up, tried that yet ??

Re:CPU problems
 

Update these drivers...

directx
motherboard (usually a 3in1 driver set)
montitor
video card

then make sure to set your refresh rate at the appropriate setting. If its set too high it will do weird things on you. Like flicker. A safe rate to run is about 85-100 in 1024x768 res.

If it continues to do it (which it shouldnt) then you have a bad connection somewhere and you should take the monitor back and get another.

Re:CPU problems
 

:o uhm.. try 72 - 75 not 85 - 100 !!

Re:CPU problems
 

Well refresh rate does matter, but it depends on what you rmonitor supports.

and the higher the refresh rate, the higher the strain on the screen but the less flicker you will notice on the screen.

Re:CPU problems
 

refresh rate will not be causing this. his screen goes off for a few seconds and comes back on. refresh rate is for blink of an eye speed flickering.

high refresh rates..not only does the monitor have to support it, but the vid card aswell.

Re:CPU problems
 

i had a similar prob last weekend, my monitor would go into sleep mode and wouldn't come out even when i mashed the keyboard (thing with all the letters and numbers on it ;)) but when i disconnected it it would say no signal. so i just opened up the tower and reseated the video card and it worked fine after that.

Re:CPU problems
 

most current graphics cards will support resoloutions from 60- 100hz.
normally the cheaper monitors sturggle to display over 75 hrtz

Re:CPU problems
 

Ok, it hasn't flashed in a while now, but just a minute ago I tried to view a video(no it wasn't porn)and my computer shut down and restarted. When it came back up an "error report" came up and it said the problem was the graphics card. Also, I haven't been able to see ANY videos as of yesterday. I'm guessing my video card took a ----? Any suggestions as to which card to get if it is the problem? :-\ :(
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Re:CPU problems
 

That depends, what card do you have now? Do you play 3d games? video/graphic editing? what's your budget? you can spend $20 for an older card that'll work fine for windows and viewing videos to $400 for a highend gaming card.

Re:CPU problems
 

bwhaha, that high of a resolution and you wont be having any monitor very long, i use 75 @ 1600x1200 on my 19

Re:CPU problems
 

Ok If it comes with an error report, then normally its the driver.
By click on More info you can check to see what happened to the driver.

write the numbers down and see if the numbers are the same.

Now This can also be casued becuase of pending hardware faliure / or over heating hardware.

Re:CPU problems
 

I'm not sure what video card I have. I can view videos now and it hasn't flashed since it restarted this morning. If I stop posting all of the sudden, you guys know what happened. :'(

If I get a chance, I'll click the "more info" and see what it says.

Thanks for the help.
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Re:CPU problems
 

BTW,
what graphics card is in your pc ?