PROBLEM WITH IMAGE (by 3 users)

Hi CODGER,

You?ve eliminated the monitor and I?m assuming the video cable as well since you probably switched that at the same time. As you?ve already figured out it could be the video card, video driver or *something else*. If you haven?t done any upgrades or software changes my guess is probably the video card as well; however, I would first eliminate everything else.

First off try removing the video card and cleaning the contacts with a regular pink non-abrasive, clean pencil eraser. After removing all the eraser material from the card carefully reseat the video card and test. Sometimes oxidation builds up on the contacts and you can see odd things like this.

If you have a PCI buss video card try installing it in another socket.

You haven?t mentioned if you?ve tried reinstalling the latest, greatest driver but if you haven?t I would try that first. You didn?t mention the video card you had but if you have the original install CD try that. If you need assistance finding a driver source let me know the details of your card.

If you?ve tried that to no avail the next thing I would try is to replace the original video card with a working, older video card and see if the problem goes away. You may be able to borrow one from another computer or if you don?t need anything fancy you can pick one up fairly cheaply on Ebay. Just make sure your replacements buss is the same type and it has drivers for XP.

Chances are pretty good that one of these will solve your problem, however, I have had an occasion or two where the fault was *elsewhere*, motherboard, weird power supply, BIOS or chipset problems. I?ve even had a case or two where failing capacitors on the motherboard caused video problems. Trouble shooting *everything else* gets expensive real quick unless you have a supply of free spare parts. If you get to this point you might want to stop and think about how much you want to invest in a six year old computer when a new one can be had for $400.

I hope this helps, let us know if you have any other questions and please don?t forget to rate the posting.