Screen flickering, desktop scrambling

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  1. Posts : 53
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #1

    Screen flickering, desktop scrambling


    I don't know exactly how to describe it, but a few minutes ago my desktop began scrambling and flickering, and there were black lines everywhere. It didn't stop until I restarted, which I couldn't do with my cursor because everything on screen kept moving around and was obscured by the flickering black lines. I thought it might have been a cord not connecting properly or something, so I checked everything going to my monitor, including my HDMI switcher, and all seemed fine.

    Does anyone know what this could be?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,633
    Win 7 Ult SP1/Win 10 Pro (all x64)
       #2

    If it's stable after a reboot I would try updating the graphics drivers and if they are already up to date, reinstall the current driver over the top of the old one. If it isn't a loose connection then make sure your graphics card, if you have one, is secure in its socket. I tried Googling this issue and got so many hits I really haven't the time to go through them all but I assume you are doing something similar. Just Google desktop screen flickering scrambled, or something along those lines.

    Question had you run any registry cleaners recently? They are often the cause of weird malfunctions because, despite what they claim, they often clean essential files.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 53
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thank you so much for your response!

    I avoid those registry cleaning programs for the reason you gave. So that is definitely ruled out.

    When I restarted I reinstalled the latest AMD driver.

    I had my system built by NCIX back in June and haven't moved the PC since then except very lightly to connect devices. If nothing else works, I suppose I could try re-securing the GPU. Hopefully it's something else.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,633
    Win 7 Ult SP1/Win 10 Pro (all x64)
       #4

    How old is the monitor? Just a thought as it could be that. I'm clutching at straws really as all these things should, theoretically, last for a very long time.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 53
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
    Thread Starter
       #5

    I bought the monitor last summer.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 1,633
    Win 7 Ult SP1/Win 10 Pro (all x64)
       #6

    ....an afterthought....is the monitor and PC plugged into a protected power supply? By protected I mean with at least a surge protection feature? Power surges could cause this sort of behaviour.
    In the case of a desktop, it could be a sign your power supply is about to fail, but really only a PC repair shop could check that. Unless you are an expert in these matters, I'd recommend taking the PC into one.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 53
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
    Thread Starter
       #7

    My PC is plugged into a power bar but I don't know if it has a surge protection feature. The monitor is plugged into the wall.

    Also, I can't really take it into a computer repair shop so my best bet would be to switch out this PSU with the Corsair CX600 that I have sitting in an old build. If it comes to that anyway. My current PSU...

    Thermaltake TR2 600W Cable Management ATX12V V2.3 24PIN Power Supply With 120MM Fan
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 1,633
    Win 7 Ult SP1/Win 10 Pro (all x64)
       #8

    OK you should look into getting a surge-protected power bar and plug all the PC stuff into that, but of course I was only speculating. It may not be what I've suggested.
    Were there any other clues prior to this happening such as strange pop-ups or web pages opening when they shouldn't?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 1,346
    Windows 7 Professional x64
       #9

    Frosst said:
    My PC is plugged into a power bar but I don't know if it has a surge protection feature. The monitor is plugged into the wall.

    Also, I can't really take it into a computer repair shop so my best bet would be to switch out this PSU with the Corsair CX600 that I have sitting in an old build. If it comes to that anyway. My current PSU...

    Thermaltake TR2 600W Cable Management ATX12V V2.3 24PIN Power Supply With 120MM Fan
    Just an FYI; When purchasing or using a surge protector, the joule rating is the important part for most devices. The more expensive the item you are plugging in, the higher the rating you want. I would suggest using a 4000 joule rated for a computer setup.

    My personal preference is to use a UPS for both added protection and battery backup.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 53
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Noted. Thank you so much for that advice on power bars.

    Ex_Brit said:
    OK you should look into getting a surge-protected power bar and plug all the PC stuff into that, but of course I was only speculating. It may not be what I've suggested.
    Were there any other clues prior to this happening such as strange pop-ups or web pages opening when they shouldn't?
    Firstly, I will be sure to get a surge-protected power bar as soon as possible. Either way it sounds like an important thing to have.

    As for clues, well, literally the second I launched itunes it happened. itunes just came up and that's when it started. And an hour earlier I was modding the Dark Souls .ini to alter things like resolution and other graphical features.

    That's all I can think of at the moment.
      My Computer


 
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