Windows 7: Wavy lines across screen, (usually grey-ish colours) on new setup.

Hi all,

I recently bought a new setup for myself specs;

Version: Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU: AMD FX Bulldozer 8120 x8 3.10GHz
MOBO: Asus M5A78L-MLX V2
VGA: nVidia GeForce GTX 275
RAM: Ripjaws G.Skill 8GB
PSU: Powercool 750W
HDD: Samsung HD753LJ 750GB
Monitor: Acer X223W

And once I formatted a new version of Windows 7 onto it I noticed wavy lines running across the screen, now these are quite faint and only appear on grey/darker backgrounds and are otherwise unnoticable on other colours.

I have tried several things and nothing seems to be working, this is what I have tried;

Changing monitor
Changing VGA cable (twice)
Reformatting
Changing power supply
Changing graphics card
Tried setting monitor at 60 refresh rate
Updating drivers for monitor and VGA

After running out of options I emailed the place I bought my MOBO, RAM and CPU from (Aria.co.uk) and they said to run Memtest on my RAM, I did and I returned 3 errors within 3-4 hours so I emailed them giving them the error and they said to return the RAM which I did.

In the end after them testing it twice they said there was no fault on the RAM,(They tested it once at 2 hours and once at 19 hours). So I was sent the RAM back and after putting it in again and reformatting I'm still having the problem of wavy lines.

I think it's impossible to get a screenshot of it so I can't really show it but does anyone have any idea what it could possibly be?



They only thing I can't test and change is the MOBO and CPU because I have no other compatable pieces lying around.

Cheers

No one has any idea? Aria today said it may be a graphics problem but a change of montior and graphics card both still showed the same error.

I understand its a hard one to solve but anything I can try would help.

Hi,

When you received the RAM back again, did you redo the test in MemTest86+?

Regards,
Golden

Well I can try but really didn't seem a point since Aria didn't fix anything and today also said it could just be bios settings that are giving back the error, am not too experienced with the bios to really want to test anything but I have updated the bios and still no change.

I'll give Memtest another shot though soon.

Hi,

The reason I ask is that they sent it back to you, but they could not replicate your RAM test failure - correct?

Therefore, I conclude there is something about your system that isn't interacting with your RAM properly (possibly a slot on your motherboard).....whether thats the cause of the graphics glitch, I'm not entirely sure yet.

However, lets get the RAM issue out the way since you did have errors with that. Run MemTest86+ : we recommend a minimum of 7 passes (typicaly an overnight job), or until you get errors.

Post back here when its done and we can take it from there.

Regards,
Golden

Test individual sticks in different slots too to eliminate a bad board. Any error, you can stop the test and move to the next stick/slot. Most RAM has a lifetime guarantee from the manufacturer.

Okay

So is it worth running 7 passes with both and see if I get errors, then 3ish passes with single ram plugged in, in different slots?

Hi,

If it passes all 7, then the RAM and slots are fine. If it fails before 7 passes, then we can start with each stick and each slot.

Regards,
Golden

Okay will do, which version of memtest should I download/run before I think I used the binary boot just wondering if the ISO one or something is better.

Also by passes do you mean the amount of versions of Memtest running at once?

Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

Hi,

Choose the pre-compiled .zip ISO (2nd on the list) and burn it to a bootable USB using this:

Universal USB Installer – Easy as 1 2 3 | USB Pen Drive Linux

Boot from the USB, and run it overnight. By passes I mean 7 tests - you will see them run across the screen as they are run.

Regards,
Golden