Page 1 of PC Problem - where does the problem lie? Help very much appreciated...

I`ve got a problem with my PC, to which I can`t work out if its my monitor or my graphics card. Would really appreciate some technical advice, as I really don`t know who else to ask. Ok, bare with me...

Graphics Card
When I turn my PC on I get the usual load up screen, but instead it becomes filled with little white dots, and then the PC won`t load past the Windows XP screen. But if I take off the side of the tower I can physically push up the graphics card; this makes the PC load up fine and from then on the PC runs as usual.


Monitor
I leave my PC on usually 24/7, and when I`m not using it I just turn off the monitor. Though when I`ve been turning my PC back on recently the display screen seems to have shrunk. This is easily fixed by turning it on and off again. But today it came up saying "Out of Range" and a jumbled screen of colours. I unplugged the monitor and put it back in again, but was forced to do a reset on the PC. It is now fine again, but it seems to be getting progressively worse.

Now, is the problem coming from my graphics card (being that the monitor plugs into it) or is it the monitor itself? Any advice is much appreciated, thanks for reading.

Ben,
Fairly sure it`s graphics card and your monitor is fine.
Didn`t you fit a new card a while back? First remove it and re-seat it - it sounds as though there may be a loose connection if moving it makes everything OK.
The `out of range` error, from memory, is a refresh rate problem. Have you changed (usually increased) your refresh rate or screen resolution lately? It may have been changed to one not supprted by the monitor.
If it keeps coming up with the error, try starting in Safe mode. Make sure you have a tick in the `Hide modes that this monitor cannot display` to ensure you don`t accidentally select one. - this is in display properties - settings - advanced - monitor.
I would be inclined to remove the hardware, (windows key and pause button - hardware - device manager - display adaptors. Select graphics card, right click and uninstall. Turn PC off, re-seat card, re-boot and reinstall latest driver. Wasn`t it an nvidia one? Try here. Get driver before you do all of this..

hth

Ste

Hi Ste, thanks for replying.

The card is about a year and a half old, and I`ve had numerous problems with it. The problem with the PC not starting etc has been going on for ages. Like I said, by physically holding the card up during booting up the PC it comes on absolutely fine. I`ve removed it and put it back in many times, and formatted the PC about a month ago.The refresh rate is currently on 60hz, which is supported by my monitor and the drivers are up to date... What do you think Ste?

Was considering that maybe I needed a new card, being that this one has been nothing but trouble? I`ve got a GeForce Ti4400 128mb by the way, and was thinking that maybe to go for a GeForce FX5900 Ultra, but wasn`t sure which one to go for and what make is best. What are Gainward like? This one here seems pretty good...

Opinions and any other guidance?

This item was edited on Saturday, 6th September 2003, 16:29

Does sound like the card though. 60 Hz shouldn`t cause the `out of range` error. Having said that I think it`s too slow and you should be at least 75 to stop your eyes aching with the flicker. Resolution isn`t too high is it?
Whenever you change resolution or refresh rate you should always let it do it`s `preview` test to make sure you can actually see something.
Doesn`t sound too good though..

Ste

To be honest I have never known what difference the refresh rate really made, so thats why it was on 60hz. Its now on 75 as recommended...

The monitor is set to 1152 x 864, which is what I always have it on and it seems fine.

So, do you think I need a Graphics card? Maybe I`ll see if it gets worse, though the whole problem with it loading up is a proper pain in the arse.