Numerous display issues, unsure how to diagnose the problem

[Parrotfella]

Hello.
**EDIT**

It appears, after some googling on my end, that this effect is called ARTIFACTS. They seem to be affecting my gpu on my graphics card. I have never overclocked anything on my graphics card to make this happen...so. Im kinda at a loss here.
I'm not entirely sure if its REALLY a hardware problem, but I think I've got it narrowed down a bit more.

Important to note: video drivers are up to date, as are my chipset drivers(i think...) and the artifacts do NOT occur during startup!


I'm new to these forums and Im sorry for the poor title!
If this thread is incorrectly posted or otherwise poor, please delete it and shoot me a pm to which subtopic it would be better suited for. I have saved the text and I can repost it there.

Before I begin, I would like to say that my issues happened after I moved into my new apartment. My computer skills are adequate, but I'm no genius.

There are many issues, and I am unsure how to diagnose them. I'll try to keep it short.

Essentially, what's being displayed on my monitor looks like junk. Here is a bullet list of things that are wrong.

-> Dead pixels.
They are colored green, red, and they are MOVING. In other words, changing the image on my monitor changes the dead pixel location. Here is a sample image.

That was taken only a few days ago. This is the same google maps image, several days later, no differences in hardware or anything.

Please note: even viewing this image on your website, uploaded via imgur, I still see the jumping-red pixels.
So on my screen, I see flickering, randomly appearing red pixels over the water on google maps. If I close google maps, the red pixels disappear.

Sometimes, the pixels are green. Sometimes, they appear in netflix videos. Sometimes, they appear within a specific section of a webpage and stay in the same location on the webpage as I scroll up or down

These are my monitors specs:

The monitor is set to its native resolution, and everything seems to be working fine according to my computer.
For a couple days, I had a message pop up on startup that a driver was being blocked due to incompatibility. I dont know what the driver was, and the message vanished.

As you can probably see, the image quality of the text is horrible. I was told to try and adjust the ClearType/Font (whatever its called) of my computer and still, no change.

I've even replaced the HDMI cable connected my card to my monitor. No change.

I installed the latest drivers for my graphics card, no change.
Under the catalyst control program, I reset all modifications to default.
To add insult to injury, my background images all suddenly became extremely pix elated and low quality as well.
I really have no idea what this could be. My monitor is still under warranty and I'm returning it as I type this.

----
My personal thoughts, I think its my graphics card... It seems to happen in clusters around certain colors. I have no idea. Either way, I'm really sad. Everything looks blocky, like a badly compressed jpg. Text looks awful. The pixel problem is annoying. And worst of all, I dont even know what the problem is CALLED, so I cant troubleshoot it! (very well, at least)


Any and all help towards fixing this would be greatly appreciated.

 

[UsernameIssues]

Kaspersky's rescue disk comes with its own operating system and web browser. See if the colors are messed up when you use that. You can also scan your system while you have it.

 

[Parrotfella]

Thanks for replying!

So if I'm understanding this correctly, the rescue disk software will boot up my computer in a different way, allowing me to troubleshoot for color issues using the same hardware/my computer?

 

[UsernameIssues]

Yes, that is correct.

There are lots of "Live CD" ISO files that can let you boot to a totally different operating system. This will let you know if the issue is hardware or software. I just picked Kaspersky's because you might as well scan the system too.

 

[indianacarnie]

Have you tried running a sfc/scannow to check for any corrupted system files? Or a monitor tester?

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

Pixel Tester - Free Download - Tucows Downloads

But UsernameIssues suggestion should come first as it probably has a better chance of telling you what you need to know.

 

[Parrotfella]

Have you tried running a sfc/scannow to check for any corrupted system files? Or a monitor tester?

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

Pixel Tester - Free Download - Tucows Downloads

That was the first thing I thought of, but unfortunately I wasn't sure of what to download or where to look.
I believe I gotta make a run to the store to get discs (I left mine at my old place.)

In the mean time, I'll run these. If they have results and I dont understand them, I'll post them here.


-edit: I didn't realize there was a command for that sort of thing. Good tip!
--- Thank you for the support! Seriously, it's really appreciated on this end.

 

[indianacarnie]

Where are my manners! Welcome to the forums! We try our best here to help so I'm sure we can figure this out. There are numerous free pixel checkers out there .... I've used the one I linked to and it works fine. The sfc/scannow has saved me more times than any other Windows feature/service.

 

[Parrotfella]

Thanks! I feel welcomed and happy about being here already.

Except for the pixels. Those can go away.

I ran sfc /scannow. Just finished! My computer kindly let me know it didn't detect anything wrong.

The pixel tester you provided downloaded as a .dmg file. My computer doesn't know how to read that file. I tried redownloading it, (thinking that scannow command may have compromised the download somehow) but I got the same problem. I don't really think I have any dead pixels! I'm more and more convinced it's the gpu.

I really need to find a blank disc to save the rescue boot to.

I think I'll just try booting from my USB.

Actually, I dont want to format my USB to be bootable. I like it the way it is. Im gonna run to the store and grab some CD's. Back in 40!

 

[UsernameIssues]

Where are my manners!
~~~

Ditto for me.
I failed to notice that the OP is new to the forums.

@Parrotfella,
A hardy welcome from me as well.

 

[Parrotfella]

Hey everyone. I just booted from the kaspersky disc and- lo and behold- I had NO artifacts at any time. I'm assuming this means that my hardware is in fact not completely fried.

I took a picture with my phone of the same image that was displaying artifacts.


Not really sure where to go from here. Im guessing uninstall my video drivers, boot in safe mode, reinstall?

edit: it should be noted that images looked extremely grainy and overall horrible. Very fuzzy lines. I assumed it was because the resolution wasnt perfect launching from kasperskys disc rescuer.

 

[UsernameIssues]

That is good news. You can try re-installing your existing drivers in the regular Windows mode... unless the installer tells you to do otherwise. Look around for the option to do a clean install. That should remove the old drivers and any settings.

If re-installing fails, hunt down an older version of the drivers and try them.

 

[Parrotfella]

Turns out, the problems just went away temporarily.

 

[UsernameIssues]

You might try booting to a Ubuntu or Linux Mint DVD and surf from there for several hours to see if the issue shows up.