Quickie for Techies!!??

Why would my moniter flicker??


Not in SL....but on it's own....no programs open...just my desktop view with my wallpaper (which happens to be a cool shot I took in SL) But anyway.... I was noticing the lighting in SL seemed to flicker at times....just a faint sort of flash like lightning in the distance ... cool effect in game...but strange.

But...it seems it's not SL....it's my moniter. There is a very subtle flicker... it is so subtle that with the right image on my desktop it almost looks like cool lighting effects in the sky.....but clearly this is an issue with the moniter itself. Any thoughts??? I'm sitting here messing with the moniter settings...I have a Dell, 24" moniter...image quality is beautiful....just that odd flicker is driving me nuts.

check the refresh rates, and maybe if under warranty call dell (yeah I know)

It may be the refresh rate is too high or too low (can also be heat related)

They will likely have you run some tests on it.

Also can check all your graphics settings to be sure they are correct for that monitor

Is there anything near your monitor that might be emitting EMR or RF interference. I have seen electric clocks, speaker, etc. mess with monitors.

Um.... LOL

Nothing near it except the speakers that are hooked up to the PC....we have an Altec Lansing system connected to this puter that rocks for audio, hehe. It could be heat......it's usually on all day.....but I guess I should call Dell juuuust in case. I'm not sure where to find the refresh rate....I'll look for that too though. thanks.

Um...nothing in the menu that says refresh rate...what else might I be looking for??

hmm, using windows xp or vista?

You had me excited with that title.. I was thinking - how am I going to pass myself off for a techie?

Check your driver settings.. like folks said refresh rate, and resolution. Check your connections.. and finally maybe your video board is starting to go.

I would call Dell and see what they say.

.d

I can think of a few possible causes, off hand. In no particular order:

1. Loose monitor cable

2. Bad monitor cable

3. Bad monitor

4. Loosely seated video card

5. Bad video card

6. Bad AGP/PCIE slot

7. Bad video drivers

8. Improper refresh rate

9. Interference from other electrical devices and/or radio waves


Make sure all cabled connections are tight, reseat the video card in its slot, reinstall your video drivers, and set the refresh to 60 Hz (60 is the default for most monitors). If none of that solves the problem, try replacing the video cable. If that still doesn't work, then it's probably something physically wrong with one of your hardware components. Finding which one it is could be difficult if you don't have spares around.

If you have an extra monitor, plug it into your computer and see if the problem persists. If it does, then you know there's nothing wrong with your Dell monitor. If it goes away, then most likely the problem is in the Dell monitor.

Also, if you have another computer, try it the other way around. Plug the Dell monitor into the other machine. If the problem goes away, then you know it's not the monitor. If it stays, then you can be certain the monitor is the problem.

If neither of those scenarios pan out, then you might want to try a different video card, if you have access to one. And if your motherboard has more than one AGP/PCIE slot, try your main video card in each one.

Finally, to eliminate the possibility of RF interference, never run your machine with the case open, and always make sure your video cable has a ferrite bead on it (usually looks like a fat rubber-encased cylinder near the connector http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrite_bead). Cheaper cables don't always have a ferrite bead. If yours doesn't have one, get one that does.

If you don't have the hardware or tech skill to try all those things, then I'd suggest bringing the computer and the monitor into a repair shop.

Sorry there's no quick & easy answer.

Windows. The computer is a refurbished Dell xps410....and it's set up for gaming...SL runs beautifully on this computer.....but the moniter is new... well, it was new in Dec 06 when we got the whole system. I have no idea how long it's been flickering....maybe a week....seems like I noticed it more while in SL first....now I'm seeing it's been the moniter all along.....but only a week or so that I've noticed anything.

Ah double check the cables for sure.

May have to look up the model online to find the right refresh and other display settings. (dell's site use the monitor serial number or model)

Right click a blank spot on the desktop and on most windows there will be properties at the bottom you'll want the settings tab. The advanced button will pull up more info, and on the monitor tab there is a drop down for refresh rates.

A few extra steps in vista, have to go to the personalize menu and pick display settings at the bottom.

Get a friend to verify to the flicker. The refresh rate in your brain may have changed.

Might be the time of month. Heightened senses and stuff, ya know!

Also, cats can see flicker where humans can't. Perhaps you've recently become a neko?

Ok....thanks...I can actually handle those tasks...no problem....since I'm moving next week anyway and will have to set this computer up at my sisters....I'll probably just try and tackle it then. I did refresh the settings and check the cables... cables seem ok....but with the way my cat likes to sneak back there and goof off.... wouldn't surprise me if something came loose.

Ok.... after messing with cables and refreshing...I'm noticing already the flickering has dimished...if not stopped....I'm changing my background images to see if it's more apparant with certain images then others. Thanks for the help guys!!!!


~oh, and sorry to mislead with 'quickie' LOL much as i could use one too....not what I meant ~

LMAO oh...with what I been dealing with the past few months.....could very well be the refresh rate in my brain.....could be I'm becoming a neko too....since I probably spend more time with my cat than any other living being (subject to change shortly tho... moving, new house, new job...sweety will be home from Iraq eventually....)

might need a hands on techie there to double check the video card seating, and maybe replace the cable with a spare to be sure it's good... my cat used to chew on mine... tobassco on cables = no more chewing

catnip on screen=highly polished monitor

and with mixed sex cats in the house... leads to sticky keys