I am getting colors bleeding and distorting the screen

Question

I am getting a bleeding of colors that are distorting the pictures.  I am not sure how to fix it. I checked the monitor.  It is working good.  The problem is somewhere in the computer.

Dale Nihiser · Answer

mayfieldga wrote:

I am getting a bleeding of colors that are distorting the pictures. I am not sure how to fix it.

I checked the monitor. It is working good. The problem is somewhere in the computer.

It would be handy to know what Dell model and video card installed.

Off the cuff, I'd say the video card is toast.

Good LUck

Dale

Dimension 4550
Intel P4 2.53GHz
A08 Bios
768Mb DDR 333MHz RAM
533Mhz fsb
Sapphire Radeon X800GTO 256Mb 16 pipes enabled
SoundBlaster Live
D-Link 524 Wireless Router
Lite-on DVD-rom
LG-DT-ST CDRW-rom 848-1b
WD 600BB 60Gb Ultra ATA 100 7200rpm HD
WD 1200JB SE 120Gb ATA 100 7200rpm HD
BenQ FP71G+ LCD monitor
Win XP SP2 (all updates)

mayfieldga · Answer

Thanks for the reply.  It is a Dell 2400  Not sure about video card

Dale Nihiser · Answer

mayfieldga wrote:

Thanks for the reply. It is a Dell 2400 Not sure about video card

The answer is somewhat generic.

Run a self diagnostic test on the monitor. Post what model the monitor is so I can provide you with a link to your monitor.

Inspect the data cable from the pc to the monitor. Check for bent pins and make sure the cable is securely fastened (finger tight).

Check in device manager and determine if you're using the integrated Intel video or a dedicated pci video graphics card.

Good Luck

Dale

mayfieldga · Answer

Okay, I ran a test on the monitor.  It was working okay.  It remained in good color for the minute and then cut out for the five seconds and came back on with good color.   I inspected the cable from the monitor to the computer.  The cable was okay also.   I did something that corrected it for a second time although I am not sure exactly what I did.  I restarted my computer in safe mode.  I stumbled on the correction the first time when I saw all of the file names and could not figure out what to do.  I began trying to get out of it by hitting Esc., Backspace, control, things. I somehow got the box in safe mode where I was to enter my password.  When this came up, I tried to type it in but mouse would not work.  I finally gave up and turned off the power.  I then turned the power back on and started my computer up.  The screen cleared up fine.    Later when it happened a second time I figured all I had to do was go into safe mode and then turn off everything and restart my computer.  However, nothing changed.   It was only when I somehow managed to get to the part again where I was to enter my password in in the box again, did I turn off the computer.  I restarted it and it cleared up.  Go figure.  ????

Dale Nihiser · Answer

mayfieldga wrote:

Okay, I ran a test on the monitor. It was working okay. It remained in good color for the minute and then cut out for the five seconds and came back on with good color.

I inspected the cable from the monitor to the computer. The cable was okay also.

I did something that corrected it for a second time although I am not sure exactly what I did. I restarted my computer in safe mode. I stumbled on the correction the first time when I saw all of the file names and could not figure out what to do. I began trying to get out of it by hitting Esc., Backspace, control, things. I somehow got the box in safe mode where I was to enter my password. When this came up, I tried to type it in but mouse would not work. I finally gave up and turned off the power. I then turned the power back on and started my computer up. The screen cleared up fine.

Later when it happened a second time I figured all I had to do was go into safe mode and then turn off everything and restart my computer. However, nothing changed.

It was only when I somehow managed to get to the part again where I was to enter my password in in the box again, did I turn off the computer. I restarted it and it cleared up. Go figure. ????

Yeah.....I'm pretty sure that's not the correct fix :smileywink:

You'll do a hard power down once too often and corrupt a file and then its no more boot into windows.

Check device manager and see if you have dedicated video card installed.

Good Luck

Dale

mayfieldga · Answer

I don't know how to check the device manager to see if it is as you say, a dedicated video card.   I did find a Trojan horse in a virus scan a couple of days ago.  I have had this hardware since I got the computer in 2005.

Dale Nihiser · Answer

mayfieldga wrote:

I don't know how to check the device manager to see if it is as you say, a dedicated video card. I did find a Trojan horse in a virus scan a couple of days ago. I have had this hardware since I got the computer in 2005.

Left click "Start" button--->Left click "Control Panel"--->Double left click "System" icon--->Left click on the "Hardware"--->Left click "Device Manager" button--->

left click the + sign next to the computer's name--->left click + sign next to Display Adapter icon. Write down the name of the video adapter. Then close each window.

Good Luck

Dale

Message Edited by Dale Nihiser on 12-17-2007 11:21 PM

mayfieldga · Answer

Thanks for the help - The video adapter is -  Intel(R)82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller

Dale Nihiser · Answer

mayfieldga wrote:

Thanks for the help - The video adapter is - Intel(R)82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller

So far, you've checked the monitor and it's "ok" and you've checked the data cable and it's "ok" but you haven't tried using a different monitor or data cable.

And now we know you don't have a dedicated video card installed but you're using the integrated video adapter. Its very possible the integrated video adapter is going bad. It cannot be replaced without replacing the entire motherboard. But you can add a video card to your existing motherboard.

You might consider purchasing a pci based video card and see if that solves the color bleeding problem (if it still continues after your last fix :smileywink: ).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133007

I'm not sure how comfortable you are with noodling around inside your computer so I might suggest taking the machine to a technician with whom you trust.

Good Luck

Dale

mayfieldga · Answer

Lucky for me I have Bo.  Bo is my nephew.  He knows computers all through.  I am taking it to him tomorrow when I go to Milledgeville.  I will have these notes also on file in case he needs them. Thanks for the help.  I think now between him and you it will be fixed fine;  thanks much.      Oh, I have developed a learning theory that could do a lot of good for a lot of people.  The old site is here at http://learningtheory.homestead.com/Theory.html   However, the new version on request by e-mail, mayfieldga@bellsouth.net   Make copies for friends when you get it.

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I am getting colors bleeding and distorting the screen

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