Computer issues

[Jimmyb]

Woke up this morning and turned on my puter monitor and the screen was all boxy, I mean like all large boxes, fuzzy and different colours. Kinda like what old tv's do. Anyways unplugged the monitor and back in and same.

So tried to reboot, still same.

Any ideas?

[sjb]

sounds like graphics card possibly.
if it's a separate dedicated card you could try removing it and re-seating it.

[Jeddo]

disable and then re-enable the video driver.

xp:
right click my comp -> manage -> device drivers -> display adapters -> right click whatever driver it is -> disable. (don't reboot) -> right click again and enable -> reboot.

if not, just upgrade/reinstall your driver.

[Jimmyb]

the video is on the MB. Should I try and borrow a pci card from somewhere and try that?

[ARB87U]

if it is on the mainboard, chances are (though not always) that there will be a jumper to disable the onboard video, make sure you disable it before you add an expansion card.

As per the other comments, chances are it is graphics card related. The bad news is that because it is an onboard compenent there is the potential for other compenents to have been affected.

If a replacement video card does get it back up and running, i would run over it with some basic diagnostic software to to memory walks, device checks, loopback tests etc to ensure its all ok.

[lovemewrangler]

sounds like your monitor cable or the pins are bent, or your monitor is dead... have you got another monitor you can test on, normally when video cards arent working the screen doesnt work at all, i havent seen a faulty video card pixelate the screen like you describe... Have you got a pci video card you can whack in to test?

[Jimmyb]

yeah going to get a pci card from a mate tonight. cant run any diagnostics as i cant see anything on the screen. The screen is a new 21" lcd. will have to find manual for the MB to find out how to disable the onboard video before putting the other card in i guess.