bad video output

[lost-and-found]

I'm dealing with a PC right now that randomly displays the video curving towards the right. I've tried multiple monitors, and it still happens. Suddenly, at random, the image on the monitors will just become curved, like someone messed with the monitor settings, but it happens instantly, and at random, after a random amount of time the video returns to normal. It only happens (so far) on resolutions higher than 640x480. Running Windows 98se, Asus A7V mobo, Radeon 9000 w/ 64MB or RAM DVI, VGA and TV out. WHat is the matter? Drivers? Bad video card? (hope not cause I don't think it's on warranty anymore), the Earth's magnetic poles suddenly going wild????? It gets pretty annoying as when you try to play counter-strike and the image is all curved, you can't really aim the gun well...

[vass0922]

You don't have a large speaker close to the monitor do you??

Have you tried with a diff monitor?
Tried high res with lower refresh rate?

[lost-and-found]

well, the regular PC speakers by the monitor, subwoofer on the ground under the desk (to the right btw), tried with different monitors, tried with lower refresh rate at high res.

Only doesn't do it on low res.

[lost-and-found]

actually, let me make a correction, at 1024x768 the curved image does not appear on refresh rates lower than 85Hz.....but is it the video card that's the problem, or the monitor?????

[ShawnD1]

Is the screen discolored where it bends or does it just bend and maintain normal colors? If the color changes, it's probably a magnet. If the color doesn't change, the vid card is probably just a POS.

[lost-and-found]

color doesn't change

[lost-and-found]

ok, after plugging in my monitor (the most trustworthy source) i came to the conclusion that it's the other 3 monitors (they aren't really new, each of them has been donated to me from people who'se 486's and pentium II's have gone to PC heaven) just can't handle higher frequencies at high resolutions. interesting how all of them have the same symptoms though, a curvy image. I plugged my monitor in and without changing drivers or restarting PC I put it on 1024x768 @ 85 and no curve. I plug in the older monitors, and yep, curves. So after this I guess it's fair to assess that the video card is not the problem.

[ShawnD1]

I didn't know you were using old monitors lol. I would have suggested that earlier if I had known.
The monitor I had for my 386 doesn't work with my current computer at all. It's fine until Windows loads (1024x768 in 32bit at 75hz). The screen gets all shaky and I can't read anything at all .

Well at least you know it's the monitors that suck. Monitors are cheaper to replace than video cards

[wju425]

Usually those old monitors can't do more than 640 by 480 as they're only vgas, not super vgas.

\o/ Billy

EDIT: count the pins on the video cable. If I remember right those with 10 or less are vgas and more than 10 will be super vgas and multi-syncs.