Heavy Flicker & Unfocus Problem

[Pizza]

Hey SevenForums, I have been silently using this website for a while now (unregistered) and I now have a problem that i cant solve by Googling. Basically, whenever I have a few windows open and i select a drop down box or any other item on the current active window, either the screen flickers or that window looses focus. Sometimes it gets really bad and constantly switches windows over and over, bringing new windows to focus. I have installed all the latest drivers for my mobo and my graphics card. I run Windows 7 Enterprise. I really need help with this problem, i cannot work with these problems.

 

[richc46]

Nvidia Card

Based upon prior posters comments, there is a good chance that it is the graphics card.


http://www.sevenforums.com/media-center/11354-odd-7mc-flickering-issue-nvidia-driver-related.html

I assume that your specs are up to date.

 

[Pizza]

I have a Nvidia 9800GTX+ XXX and it has never caused problems before. I rolled back to a previous driver version with no success. Also, updated to the latest version still with no success.

I don't think this is a problem with a video card but the way Windows keeps windows layered on each other. In my case it seems that Windows has no clue which layer its on and flicks in between them. I can make a short clip to demonstrate if need be.

 

[TimStitt]

I remember something when I studied for my Vista exam, one of the questions mentioned finding the default ideal refresh rate and screen size for a monitor and setting your desktop to match. This was to cure screens that loose focus.
What monitor do you have? Please set it to the manufacturers recommended settings and set your graphics card to match.

EDIT: Other thoughts-
- Also check your cable and all connections and remove any electrical interference
- If you are using a KVM switch ensure that it has enough power.
- Try turning Aero off and see if the problem continues
- I know you mentioned drivers, did you get these from Microsoft update or the manufacturers website, go with the latter if you chose the former

 

[Pizza]

My current monitor is the LG W2343T, it is currently running at 59Hz when the default is 60. I try to change the refresh rate both in the Windows advanced screen resolution window and the nVidia control center. Whenever i change the refresh rate to 60Hz, it drops back down to 59 after the Apply. My monitor settings are currently default and so is my graphics card. I got my current drivers from the XFX manufacturer site. Aero has been off for a long time.

 

[Pizza]

This problem is still active and really need help with it. I cannot perform my daily tasks on the computer.

 

[topCturV]

Have you tried uninstalling both the display adapter and monitor in Device Manager, then let Windows rediscover them on startup?
Just a thought.

 

[Frostmourne]

Have you installed the latest DirectX?

 

[TimStitt]

My current monitor is the LG W2343T, it is currently running at 59Hz when the default is 60. I try to change the refresh rate both in the Windows advanced screen resolution window and the nVidia control center. Whenever i change the refresh rate to 60Hz, it drops back down to 59 after the Apply. My monitor settings are currently default and so is my graphics card. I got my current drivers from the XFX manufacturer site. Aero has been off for a long time.

I'm not sure why it reverts back to 59, especially since you everything set to 'native' resolution (1920X1080 pixels). This isn't an issue I've ever come across before in many years of IT support (with the exception monitors just failing, which still fits). What I read on the web provides no solid info for your 59Hertz, some readers swear that this causes their monitor to flicker, others say that Win7 is correct and that XP rounds up to 60. Yet others say that some applications play-up when the refresh rate is less than 60.

Other thoughts:
- Turn everything off, unplug the power and give your graphics card a little clean, same goes for any cables and ports from the card to the monitor.
- Look for correct drivers for your monitor, it's common to forget about this as the default windows drivers usually work great. I tried to get you a link but the LG website is at snail pace at the moment.
- Take a look at this http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/33641-screen-refresh-rate-custom-nvidia-brand.html

 

[Pizza]

I tried using the default Windows graphics driver (uninstalled current, removed device, rebooted, installed windows driver, rebooted).

I have the latest version of DirectX 10

I have successfully changed my refresh rate from 59hZ to 60hZ.

I cleaned out my PC and checked un-dusted all my ports.

I tried to install the monitor driver but its only for 32bit.

I tried installing older version Nvida drivers (190 instead of 195)

Nothing has worked.

Here is a short clip that demonstrates what i mean. Im clicking the forum, interacting, trying to change values, and it randomly unfocused. This is not a problem with that specific application. The same problem happens with all applications.

http://www.mediafire.com/file/xnazvgjyd11/capture-1.avi

 

[Tepid]

Get your drivers direct from Nvidia,,, Not XFX and then fully uninstall them and install the new ones.

 

[TimStitt]

Try Tepid's advice first and if still no good..... is it possible to check with another monitor? beg or borrow from a friend. This should tell us if it's the card/pc configuration or the monitor itself.

 

[ski]

Also, if the video card has a fan, then make sure it's running, and the fan and heatsink are clean.
If no luck, then remove the video card from its slot, clean its contacts with high purity alcohol(90% pure or higher), and reinstall it making sure it's securely seated.

 

[Pizza]

I have installed the following drivers:
190.58 - Nvidia
195.62 (latest) - Nvidia
195.62 (latest) - XFX

They all did not solve my problem.
Tried a new monitor (my old one) still with the same problem.

This problem really exaggerates itself when i run any game in windowed mode. The game constantly flickers and i always loose focus. It seems like i can click through the game to the desktop.

 

[TimStitt]

This problem really exaggerates itself when i run any game in windowed mode. The game constantly flickers and i always loose focus. It seems like i can click through the game to the desktop.

Ah, check that your hardware acceleration is not turned off (and is turned up as high as you can).

We may have already mentioned it, but if you are over-clocking anything, temporarily stop it.

 

[Pizza]

Hmm. I was trying to change my hardware acceleration. But it seems that my graphics card doesn't support it? Running the latest Nvidia drivers. Was reading here:

NVIDIA: Disable Hardware Acceleration in Windows 7 | Windows 7 Themes

This means that your graphic card driver does not support it. But the real reason is that Vista and Windows 7 render everything in DirectX9, that’s why you can’t turn it off and change the hardware acceleration settings. Back in XP GDI surfaces were rendered in a completely different way.

Note, i have only had this problem with Windows 7 on this system with the same configuration (minus monitor). I have never had a problem with XP, I am highly considering a format back to XP.

 

[TimStitt]

Hmm. I was trying to change my hardware acceleration. But it seems that my graphics card doesn't support it? Running the latest Nvidia drivers. Was reading here:

NVIDIA: Disable Hardware Acceleration in Windows 7 | Windows 7 Themes

This means that your graphic card driver does not support it. But the real reason is that Vista and Windows 7 render everything in DirectX9, that’s why you can’t turn it off and change the hardware acceleration settings. Back in XP GDI surfaces were rendered in a completely different way.

Note, i have only had this problem with Windows 7 on this system with the same configuration (minus monitor). I have never had a problem with XP, I am highly considering a format back to XP.

Hey, I just read the same article on Hardware acceleration and it's the first I've heard of it. Hopefully one of the graphics development guys will read this and comment (the guys with the purple GFX badge, If I can remember one, I'll ask them to take a look).

I'm pretty sure that your Nvidia Card supports PhysX, check that it's enabled. Otherwise I'm about out of ideas mate.

 

[Pizza]

Yeah, PhysX has always been enabled. (turning it off doesn't work either).

Well, I'll be formatting to XP soon then.

 

[Frostmourne]

Have you underclocked the XXX model? Checked the temps? Considered the possibility the card might be dying?

 

[Tepid]

Yep, that was my next suggestion,.,, bad video card