Monitor suddenly crapped to hell and back

Shyria Dracnoir · 10-10-2011, 12:29 AM

So I was about to boot up TF2 this evening when my computer's display suddenly had a spaz attack. I've tried a system reboot to earlier (I had installed a game a few days ago that was only technically rated up to Vista) but it doesnt appear to have helped. I'm currently posting from my laptop with some pictures taken of the desktop display. Is this a problem with the monitor or a deeper problem with my system? It seems a lot more serious than Aerozord's problem he had recently because this is affecting things like window sizes and my desktop layout.

Seil · 10-10-2011, 12:31 AM

It's possessed. You need an old priest and a young priest.

Shyria Dracnoir · 10-10-2011, 01:35 AM

Please be serious, I'm honestly freaking out over this. I've done a system restore, I've unplugged it, dusted everything and plugged it back in but nothing is working. I have no clue where to begin troubleshooting and if I do end up having to do something like replace my video card I have no idea where to begin looking for a decent one and how to make sure I'm not getting ripped off.

Seil · 10-10-2011, 01:43 AM

'Kay, I'm thinking that this has happened unexpectedly, so I assume you didn't install anything or spill anything on it or whatever. From the pics I think it's a PC. (It's really dark, and I've been drinking.)

The best I think I can offer is to right-click on the desktop and hit 'Display Settings.' I know from experience that if it's a hardware issue, then hitting 'System Restore' won't do anything. The good news is that if it's really something hardware wise, you can probably hit a thrift store or hit a friend into getting you a test monitor on the cheap.

If you want to common-sense it, you should make sure it's a hardware thing or a wanky virus thing. Get a new monitor and hook it up - if it runs normally, it's a wanker. If it runs fizzle dizzle garble dee, it's a virus thing.

However, you didn't mention anything in the OP about anything, so I'll assume it's a hardware thing, ie. new Monitor.

(ie. Thrift store time.)

Shyria Dracnoir · 10-10-2011, 02:01 AM

I tried messing with display settings. It says my resolution is stuck at 640 x 480 even though I know it used to be higher (it says the recommended is 1366 x 768). Unfortunately I can't test the monitor thing right now since I only have this one and I doubt my TV will be able to substitute. Feeeeck.....

Krylo · 10-10-2011, 02:16 AM

Most likely your video card is fucked.

Meister · 10-10-2011, 02:23 AM

Your resolution and colour depth got reduced to the basic minimum and you can't change settings. Well, that doesn't happen in the monitor hardware. If you can, hook up the monitor to the laptop and see how the picture comes out, it should be perfectly normal.

I'm thinking video card drivers. Try reinstalling and/or updating those. They should have come on a CD with the computer, or you can usually find them on the manufacturer's website.

Shyria Dracnoir · 10-10-2011, 03:30 AM

Thing is, I replaced the video card that originally came with the computer because it wasn't running Steam very well and the drivers all appear to be updated for the card (Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTX) but it's still crapping up. I'll try hooking the monitor to the laptop, but I'm not sure what will happen.

Shyria Dracnoir · 10-10-2011, 03:36 AM

Alright, I plugged the monitor into the laptop and it seems to be working normally. Guess it is the video card that's crapping up.

Shyria Dracnoir · 10-10-2011, 04:15 AM

Uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers hasn't helped.

10-10-2011, 12:29 AM	#1
Shyria Dracnoir Kawaii-ju Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Monster Island Posts: 4,240	Monitor issues - Video problems or something worse? So I was about to boot up TF2 this evening when my computer's display suddenly had a spaz attack. I've tried a system reboot to earlier (I had installed a game a few days ago that was only technically rated up to Vista) but it doesnt appear to have helped. I'm currently posting from my laptop with some pictures taken of the desktop display. Is this a problem with the monitor or a deeper problem with my system? It seems a lot more serious than Aerozord's problem he had recently because this is affecting things like window sizes and my desktop layout. __________________ Godzilla vs. Gamera (1994) Last edited by Shyria Dracnoir; 10-10-2011 at 12:49 AM.

10-10-2011, 01:35 AM	#3
Shyria Dracnoir Kawaii-ju Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Monster Island Posts: 4,240	Please be serious, I'm honestly freaking out over this. I've done a system restore, I've unplugged it, dusted everything and plugged it back in but nothing is working. I have no clue where to begin troubleshooting and if I do end up having to do something like replace my video card I have no idea where to begin looking for a decent one and how to make sure I'm not getting ripped off. __________________ Godzilla vs. Gamera (1994)

10-10-2011, 02:01 AM	#5
Shyria Dracnoir Kawaii-ju Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Monster Island Posts: 4,240	I tried messing with display settings. It says my resolution is stuck at 640 x 480 even though I know it used to be higher (it says the recommended is 1366 x 768). Unfortunately I can't test the monitor thing right now since I only have this one and I doubt my TV will be able to substitute. Feeeeck..... __________________ Godzilla vs. Gamera (1994) Last edited by Shyria Dracnoir; 10-10-2011 at 02:04 AM.

10-10-2011, 02:16 AM	#6
Krylo The Straightest Shota Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: It's a secret to everybody. Posts: 17,789	Most likely your video card is fucked. __________________ I am very tired.

10-10-2011, 03:30 AM	#8
Shyria Dracnoir Kawaii-ju Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Monster Island Posts: 4,240	Thing is, I replaced the video card that originally came with the computer because it wasn't running Steam very well and the drivers all appear to be updated for the card (Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTX) but it's still crapping up. I'll try hooking the monitor to the laptop, but I'm not sure what will happen. __________________ Godzilla vs. Gamera (1994)

10-10-2011, 12:31 AM	#2
Seil Super stressed! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: British Columbia Posts: 8,081	It's possessed. You need an old priest and a young priest.

10-10-2011, 01:43 AM	#4
Seil Super stressed! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: British Columbia Posts: 8,081	'Kay, I'm thinking that this has happened unexpectedly, so I assume you didn't install anything or spill anything on it or whatever. From the pics I think it's a PC. (It's really dark, and I've been drinking.) The best I think I can offer is to right-click on the desktop and hit 'Display Settings.' I know from experience that if it's a hardware issue, then hitting 'System Restore' won't do anything. The good news is that if it's really something hardware wise, you can probably hit a thrift store or hit a friend into getting you a test monitor on the cheap. If you want to common-sense it, you should make sure it's a hardware thing or a wanky virus thing. Get a new monitor and hook it up - if it runs normally, it's a wanker. If it runs fizzle dizzle garble dee, it's a virus thing. However, you didn't mention anything in the OP about anything, so I'll assume it's a hardware thing, ie. new Monitor. (ie. Thrift store time.)

10-10-2011, 02:23 AM	#7
Meister Pure joy Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Germany Posts: 10,689	Your resolution and colour depth got reduced to the basic minimum and you can't change settings. Well, that doesn't happen in the monitor hardware. If you can, hook up the monitor to the laptop and see how the picture comes out, it should be perfectly normal. I'm thinking video card drivers. Try reinstalling and/or updating those. They should have come on a CD with the computer, or you can usually find them on the manufacturer's website.

10-10-2011, 03:36 AM	#9
Shyria Dracnoir Kawaii-ju Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Monster Island Posts: 4,240	Alright, I plugged the monitor into the laptop and it seems to be working normally. Guess it is the video card that's crapping up. __________________ Godzilla vs. Gamera (1994)

10-10-2011, 04:15 AM	#10
Shyria Dracnoir Kawaii-ju Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Monster Island Posts: 4,240	Uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers hasn't helped. __________________ Godzilla vs. Gamera (1994)