Computer screen flashes off and on while processor is processing.

Question

I have an old Dimension 8600 desktop that has started doing something strange.  To best describe, I will give an example using solitaire.  With no other programs open, I click to open solitaire and nothing happens.  After a delay of several seconds (this computer has seldom experienced processing delays), the screen will flash off (totally black) for about a half second.  When it comes back on, the solitaire window will be there, but only about 1/4 populated.  After about 10-15 seconds the screen flashes off again for 1/2 second after which the window is 1/2 populated.  This on-off process repeats until the window is fully populated.  Often, there will be small blocks of remnants or ghost images of the underlying desktop showing through the solitaire window.  Then, anytime I click to perform a function (like move a card) the computer goes through the same off-on process until the request is completed.  If additional programs are open at the same time, this problem is much worse, i.e. much slower between flashes, more flashes, and more ghost images. Rebooting does not help.  I have attempted system restore several times, but that totally fails to work.  System restore will go through its process and reboot the computer, but I get a failure message, that is, system restore was unable to restore to an earlier time.  I have run defrag (which was a struggle), and the hard drive is only about 2/3 full.  I have also shut down non-essential processes using task manager, but that does not help either. Any ideas on what could be happening would be greatly appreciated.  This computer has operated faithfully for 9 years.  I hope it is not dying.   Details: Operating system:  XP HomeProcessor: Pentium 4Hard Drive:  80 GB  (currently 29 GB free)Memory:  512 MB original, upgraded 4 years ago with an additional 2 GB

RoHe · Answer

Are you sure about the model? I don't see a "Dimension 8600" listed.

Scanned thoroughly for malware recently?
Can you test this monitor on another PC, or a different monitor on this PC?
Check video cable connections at both ends
Reseat the video card in its slot, assuming you're using an add-in card, not onboard graphics
Uninstall the video card in Device Manager and install the latest compatible version of the video driver
Try a different video cable
Run chkdsk /f on the hard drive

Locked Topics – Desktops General

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