'wavy' lines across screen (like refresh rate, but not)

LondonRoots

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I built up a PC a couple of months ago. It has an ok spec, Phenom II 550 x2, NVidia GTX 250, 4b ram, 500gig HD, 620w PSU. Windows 7 Eval. 7100.

From the first couple of days I noticed an issue that looked like incorrectly setup refresh rates - there are wavy lines accross the entire screen, and is particularly noticeable on highlighted text and the side edges of windows. I made sure the frame rate was correct, both in Windows and according to the GFX Card. I have tried all the settings but have settled at 75hz. This is the best setting but does not get rid of the problem.

I have the most up to date drivers for my GFX Card and Windows 7 is up to date too.

The intensity of the problem can fluctuate. Right now, its fairly minimal and only visable if you are looking. It can however get to the point where its becoming hard to read text, or at least tiring because you have to strain some more. This can happen at any time. The only link I have found is to games, as both World of Warcraft and Borderlands will intensify the isse, both ingame and in Windows. I am fairly sure they are set at the correct resolution and refresh rate where possible.

What could this be?


Further info, three weeks ago I turned the PC on in the morning to find the 'power' button unresponsive. After some waiting and several attempts it eventually turned on but I got a 'no signal' display on screen. Later I resorted to jump starting the PC without the power button, using a screwdriver to connect the prongs - after doing this, the power button has been fine although it took another day for the no signal message to go away and normal viewing return. This problem has not repeated since.

During this the fans were fluctuating a lot, audibly so. This dissapeared mostly along with the above problems, but I still think it sounds like the fans are fluctuating infrequently, particularly on initial bootup. I have no software for changing fan speeds, as far as they know they run at the speed I set physically.


A lot of this seems to point at the GFX Card, although I am a little more inclined to think it is the power supply, or the availability of power for each unit. But I really don't know. Either I can find the solution online or I take it to the shop and pay for a repair, not that its easy to even tell them what they need to repair.


The PC runs fast and with relatively few crashes besides that one weekend and this persistant display problem.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Eval. 7100.Phenom II 550 X24 gigNvidia gtx 250
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
N/A
OS
Windows 7 Eval. 7100.
CPU
Phenom II 550 X2
Motherboard
Asus AMD AM2+
Memory
4 gig
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia gtx 250
Is the monitor digital? If not, sounds like some kind of interference or induction. Like 50 Hz power line too close or something.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

7600.20510 x86P4 550 3.4 GHz HT running at 3.5 GHzOCZ 2 GB(2x1GB) DDR400mHz running @ 414 mHzHIS Radeon HD 3850 IceQ 3 Turbo HDMI Dual DL-...
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
self built
OS
7600.20510 x86
CPU
P4 550 3.4 GHz HT running at 3.5 GHz
Motherboard
MSI PM8M3-V (MS-7211 v1.x) Micro-ATX mainboard
Memory
OCZ 2 GB(2x1GB) DDR400mHz running @ 414 mHz
Graphics Card(s)
HIS Radeon HD 3850 IceQ 3 Turbo HDMI Dual DL-DVI AGP
Sound Card
MOTU Traveler firewire studio interface 192 kHz 24 bit
Monitor(s) Displays
22" widescreen Acer X223W LCD, 17" Compaq P75 CRT
Screen Resolution
1680x1050 and 1280x1024
Hard Drives
SATA I x2 WD, 400 GB and 120 GB, SATA 2 WD Caviar Black 1 TB
PSU
350W generic
Case
Cybertronpc, it glows blue
Cooling
stock cpu fan, Ice-Q 3 gpu and system, many case fans
Keyboard
Logitch Classical Keyboard 200
Mouse
Logitech Mediaplay cordless
Internet Speed
1792/448 kbits/sec
Other Info
SATA II PCI fake RAID adapter, 1 GB Readyboost, original ATI Remote Wonder (even works with WMC perfectly), Logitech Rumblepad 2 game controller x2
It's an Asus VW193S 19'' LCD.

Niether my mac or pc laptops get interference and I have tried the PC in the living and dining rooms but the issue remains. Not sure what distance any inteference will be covering.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Eval. 7100.Phenom II 550 X24 gigNvidia gtx 250
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
N/A
OS
Windows 7 Eval. 7100.
CPU
Phenom II 550 X2
Motherboard
Asus AMD AM2+
Memory
4 gig
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia gtx 250
Asus VW193S - LCD Monitor with reviews and price comparison at dooyoo.co.uk

Yeah, the monitor works only by analog. So poor signal quality and/or interference is causing your issue; something that is not possible in the digital realm. With digital, it is either all or nothing (0s or 1s.)

My advice is to replace the vga cable to a better one and/or move pc away from any light source, cable, tv, phone or power lines running throughout the walls until the issue clears up.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

7600.20510 x86P4 550 3.4 GHz HT running at 3.5 GHzOCZ 2 GB(2x1GB) DDR400mHz running @ 414 mHzHIS Radeon HD 3850 IceQ 3 Turbo HDMI Dual DL-...
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
self built
OS
7600.20510 x86
CPU
P4 550 3.4 GHz HT running at 3.5 GHz
Motherboard
MSI PM8M3-V (MS-7211 v1.x) Micro-ATX mainboard
Memory
OCZ 2 GB(2x1GB) DDR400mHz running @ 414 mHz
Graphics Card(s)
HIS Radeon HD 3850 IceQ 3 Turbo HDMI Dual DL-DVI AGP
Sound Card
MOTU Traveler firewire studio interface 192 kHz 24 bit
Monitor(s) Displays
22" widescreen Acer X223W LCD, 17" Compaq P75 CRT
Screen Resolution
1680x1050 and 1280x1024
Hard Drives
SATA I x2 WD, 400 GB and 120 GB, SATA 2 WD Caviar Black 1 TB
PSU
350W generic
Case
Cybertronpc, it glows blue
Cooling
stock cpu fan, Ice-Q 3 gpu and system, many case fans
Keyboard
Logitch Classical Keyboard 200
Mouse
Logitech Mediaplay cordless
Internet Speed
1792/448 kbits/sec
Other Info
SATA II PCI fake RAID adapter, 1 GB Readyboost, original ATI Remote Wonder (even works with WMC perfectly), Logitech Rumblepad 2 game controller x2
Hey I have the same monitor same problem, did any of that advice work? thanks
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 UltimateIntel Quad Core Q66004 GB OczNvidia Geforce 8600 gts
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate
CPU
Intel Quad Core Q6600
Motherboard
Asus P5N-e SLI
Memory
4 GB Ocz
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia Geforce 8600 gts
Monitor(s) Displays
Asus 19'
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