I have a UNIQUE computer problem

Magikal said:

ANAC said:

• Have you tried a Tin Foil Hat for your monitors?, don't laugh, I use one on my speakers to cut down on the interference from our wi-fi, that may at least see if you are receiving interference. The foil will block it.

I was always told to keep aluminum foil away from PC's as they can create a charge of some kind.

Tin foil around an EMI producing device will reflect the interference back inside and could potentialy lead to a significant positive charge. Putting it around a non EMI producing device will help shield it.

PC's should not be giving out a significant amount of EMI as the manufacturers have long been governed by radio interference regulations.

Foil around cables. I would
Foil around speakers. I Would
Foil around Monitor. I would NOT (mainly because of thermal insulation)
Foil around Desktop. I would not. Theoretically not a problem but I would rather have any EMI leaving the chasis rather than bouncing around inside causing potential BSOD

the ferrite, is a magnetic loop to stifle any magnetic interference from traveling down the cable, a VGA cable will already be shielded internally, there is no point in wrapping it in foil, sorry that was a general do's and dont's to clarify on the tin foil point.

Although the monitor idea would be ok for a short period to see if it helps, just dont leave it wrapped or your monitor will overheat. About 5mins will be fine.

A Ferrite (magnet) wont repair a degraded signal though, have you tried multiple VGA cables or are all these tests from the same cable?

Thanks Sub Styler I learned something today about tin aluminum foil and computers, and for the thread synopsis it helps to keep things on track.

Magikal, it sounds like you're entertaining the idea of using the foil on your monitor, be alert and no longer than the 5minutes like Styler suggested.

David's tip about taking one of the PC's to an entirely different location is a good one.

FuturDreamz tip had me looking to see if your Intel extreme graphics 2 does support DVO and I came up with this:


Source: http://download.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/14xug.pdf

If you see it listed, you have it. If you don't, you don't.

Also:
Graphics — Troubleshooting TV connections to computer

Graphics — Intel® Graphics And Televisions FAQ

This is frustrating, and I can see you've been at it longer:

At my wits end! Hope someone can help! - Geeks to Go Forums

Is it Windows or my PC? | Windows Secrets Lounge

After reading through those two threads, your theory about the bad graphics chip might be true. I believe you said in one or both you bought the machines from Ebay?

That got me to thinking about dried out thermal paste, and I couldn't find anywhere that anyone mentioned about testing for a bad Motherboard (MB).

You could use Prime95 to test the MB to see if it can handle the stress, and heat, I can point you to it, but I don't know much about it because I've never used it.

Here's some documentation: Prime95

If you decide to go with the Jaton card install (Support) don't forget to go into the bios and disable the on board graphics, and personally in my humble opinion, I'd stay away from Ebay.

If it's not too late return those units and deal with a local computer shop.

Hardware - Stress Test With Prime95