Monitor display problem, bars across screen

Fibresman,

Thank you for using the Dell Community Forum.

Try removing and reinstalling your video card drivers. If you need information on loading these drivers you can post a question to Dell - Chris in the Dimension Video Board.

Hello Jack

Thanks for your message re same display problem. I'm about to re-install video driver files as per Jesse advice (also downloaded from Dell) but these files are same as those I already downloaded and re-installed as the monitor driver with no effect. So it  seems to me that the video and monitor drivers are different words for the same thing. Have seen a reference in another thread to re-seating the graphics card, haven't tried that yet and would not expect it to work either. Let you know if I find a solution. I am suspicious about Paint Shop Pro though - see my first message; any similarity with your experience?

Rgds John

 

Hello Fibresman -

     I have a display problem which is identical to the problem which you described.  My computer is a Dell Dimension XPS T600r with a Pentium III processor, nVidia GeForce 256 32mb display adapter, Sony Trinitron Multiscan 200SX 17-Inch monitor, and Windows XP Pro operation system. 

     At the time which the grey horizontal bars first appeared on my screen, I was running Windows 98se on my computer.  Recently, I installed Windows XP Pro upgrade.  But the grey bars still appear on the screen, exactly the same as before the upgrade.  I have also uninstalled the nVidia GeForce 256 driver, followed by reinstalling the same driver.  But the bars remained intact.  Then, I re-installed the monitor driver with a file I downloaded from the Sony support website.  This had no effect on the bars.  Then, I disabled the nVidia GeForce 256.  This did not have any effect on the problem, nor did it make the problem worse, either. 

     Thanks for your post.  Before I read it, I was about to buy a new monitor.  But now I will keep trying to somehow banish the grey bars.  But for now, I have run out of ideas.  I have no idea about the source of the bars.  They appeared suddenly one day when I turned on the computer.  I have checked for viruses, trojan horses, and spyware by using Norton Internet Security and Ad-Aware spyware checker.  My system appears to be free from those intruders.  I keep my firewall running all the time, too. 

     Jack Woods

 

Hello Jesse

Have now downloaded and re-installed the 32MB nVidia GeForce 256 AGP driver (as well as the monitor driver earlier) and problem still the same. Jack Woods in his addition to this thread reports same problem and same attempts to resolve.

Any other thoughts come to mind? Thanks for your help.

Fibresman

 

 

I am having the exact same problem and have performed the same fixes with no result.  Did you get your problem fixed and if so, how?  Thanks.

I had the same problem on my old XPS T600r and the only fix was to replace the video card. I figure 4 years of trouble-free service was reasonable for a video card.

To save you some time, the Video forum recommends nVidia Ti 4200 64MB for a replacement card, although I finally bought something else because I couldn't find any Ti 4200 over here.

Hello Vivriel

Thanks for taking the time to reply - you've confirmed my conclusion after hunting through past Forum messages and elsewhere - will now set about replacing the video card.

I've not replaced a card before - is it reasonably straightforward and did you come across any compatibility problems?

Thanks

Fibresman

Hi Fibresman,

The replacement was straightforward for me. No compatibility problems whatsoever. The card worked perfectly with the drivers that came with it.

I did take the trouble to hunt for an older model card though, an nVidia GeForce 2 when I couldn't find any Ti 4200 in any shop here. I'm not sure if the newer cards that support AGP 8x would have compatibility problems.

Glad to be of some help.

Vivriel

Hello Fibresman -

     I took my computer to the repair department at Best Buy store.  I explained to them about the grey lines.  After examining the computer ( they plugged in their own monitor and witnessed the evil grey lines ), they reached the same conclusion as you and Vivriel, which is to replace the video card.  I am going back to Best Buy tomorrow so I can choose a compatible video card.  I will probably allow them to install the card, so they can fix it in case it does not function properly.  They have reasonable prices for parts and labor for those who would rather not do their own computer repairs.

     Jack Woods 

Hello Jack

Please let me know which card proved a successful substitute. I'm finding it difficult to check compatibility with my machine requirements (eg power capacity available to the card and its onboard fan if fitted). I suspect that a relatively low performance card will be required (compared to those available now) and one which is similar in performance to that of the DeForce 256 card that Dell fitted at manufacture. Dell have proved rather unhelpful in this area by the way - very unspecific about compatible cards available today.

If you can, please specify the actual card type in your replacement eg nVidia GeForce MX4xxseries 64MB AGP and the name on the box. Good luck.

Regards

Fibresman

I'm in the UK by the way, where are you?

 

 

Hello Fibresman --

I should soon be hearing from the computer repair department at Best Buy regarding compatible video cards for my computer. 

I find it ironic that Best Buy provides a more accurate and responsive form of customer support for my Dell computer than does the Dell Computer corporation.  If we had only the moderator's advice to act upon, we would both still be re-installing our video cards drivers, in absolute futility. 

I'll post as soon as I have more info about compatible video cards.  Hang in there, mate! 

Jack Woods

Across The Pond (USA)

Hi Jack

I posted a message in the Dimension Video Forum to help me identify a compatible card available here in the UK and Shunney, Regular Forum Member, replied really helpfully - you might be interested to read even tho' Best Buy sorting your machine. See message thread:

Compatible replacement (in UK) for 32MB nVidia GeForce 256 AGP video card, OEM in Dimension XPS T600?

Last reply was from Shunney 01-22-04.

I've found biggest problem has been trying to decipher the tech specifications of replacement cards to ensure compatibility with the power supplies etc in my machine and also to minimise risk of any system conflicts.

Let me know what Best Buy selected when you're done and thanks for the update.

Cheers

John

 

 

 

 

Hello Fibresman -

Here are the recommendations from the computer technician at Best Buy:

nVidia GeForce II MX400

nVidia GeForce IV MX440

New computer systems are so inexpensive now, that I am wondering if it is worth the cost and hassle to replace my burned-out card, and whether or not my old Dimension could fully utilize the power of the latest cards, even if they are technically compatible.

Jack Woods

Hello you two. 

 

Glad to hear I'm not the only one with this problem.  My card just died today (NVidia GEforce 256). 

How much have the replacement cards ended up being for you?  I may just ride out the misery for a while and get a new system.  I have been able to make the issue less annoying by making all backgrounds grey... since the problem seems to occur in high contrast screens.

 

Any idea what causes the problem?