computer display help

[greasemonkeyjmj]

i have a emachines w3107 with a amd sempron 3100 processor. it has the integrated video card using nvidia geforce 6100. a few days ago the screen turned a bluish green color. sometimes it will turn back the correct colors, and may stay that way awhile, and then it may not. i know it shouldnt be my monitor, cause i hooked onto my laptop and it worked fine.has anyone ran into this before, or any good ideas ?


THANKS

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: computer display help

Have you had to unhook the monitor cable from the back of the computer before this happened? Reason I asked because it is easy to bend those little contact pins inside.

Have you tried to reinstall your video driver or update it? Does the intergrated video card have a cooling fan on it or a heat sync? Out of curiosity.

 

[greasemonkeyjmj]

Re: computer display help

thanks for the respnse wild. no i had not unkooked the cable before this started. it had been a couple of months ago i bought a new monitor because my old one was starting to flicker. and as far as i know the card only has a heat sink and no fan. i would think over heat , it does it whether it is warmed up, or jsut turned on either one. also i went to the nvidia site earlier today and did a driver update.

thanks again

 

[jevery]

Re: computer display help

If you?ve ruled out the monitor, that leaves the onboard video. You can disable the onboard video ? Usually with a jumper and install an inexpensive video card with better performance that onboard. You?ll need to know what type of daughter-board slots are available on your motherboard, PCI Express-16, PCI Express-1, AGP, Etc. Here?s one for $20, likely with more processor and memory than your onboard.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187048

 

[mthieme]

Re: computer display help

I would suspect the cable and/or connection if it is an intermittent problem.
If the monitor were going bad, it will usually be the power supply and not be intermittent. Is it a tube or LED screen?
The video chip is going to be pass or fail.

 

[greasemonkeyjmj]

Re: computer display help

thanks jevery my specs says 6100 GPU up to 128MB of shared video memory. has pci-e x 16 slot

 

[greasemonkeyjmj]

Re: computer display help

I would suspect the cable and/or connection if it is an intermittent problem.
If the monitor were going bad, it will usually be the power supply and not be intermittent. Is it a tube or LED screen?
The video chip is going to be pass or fail.

the cable is new, i used the new one when i bought the monitor, it is a lcd .when this first started, it would flicker to the funky color and back to normal really quick.it has gotten alot worse lately

 

[jevery]

Re: computer display help

mthieme is correct. Sometimes individual wires in the monitor bundle will break and cause intermittent color dropouts. When you hooked to your laptop you used the same monitor cable as used for the desktop, correct? Try wiggling the cable at the connections and gently bending the cable through it's length to see if you can induce the problem. Could be as simple as the cable or if a connection it could be the cable side or the monitor side, or the video side. I'd swap cables first - Especially if you have a spare laying around. Then replace video if all else fails.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: computer display help

Most likely not your monitor then. With an LCD, you'd more likely see dead pixels than discoloration.

If not your cable (which appears not to be the case) you've got a bum video card.

It's most likely a failing component on the card (most likely the part that generates the reds which is why when it fails, you see the green/blue which are the two remaining colors)

 

[mthieme]

Re: computer display help

Actually, Dells are notorious for a blackish discoloration running vertically in two distinct areas of non-distinct shapes. I can show you a couple hundred of them.
I haven't seen dead pixels in years - at least in name brand equipment.
What brand monitor is it - got a model # ?

 

[greasemonkeyjmj]

Re: computer display help

ok i changed monitors, including the cords. and picture looked good.........for 2 minutes, now it is back to the ol green color. so i would say that rules out the monitor and cord. LOL

 

[jevery]

Re: computer display help

I just noticed your onboard is shared memory - Meaning it's tapping RAM for video processing needs. A new card with dedicated memory should be a noticable speed increase in graphics heavy applications like gaming. Might consider going to 512K for a few bucks more - If you'll be keeping the machine awhile.

 

[greasemonkeyjmj]

Re: computer display help

jevery i may upgrade while i am at it, i am not sure, since i dont play many games any more. which i cant even play solitare on her right now, because i cant tell red cards from black.everything seems to load up pretty quick on here as of right now

 

[jevery]

Re: computer display help

If you ain't gaming or working with video or graphics programs. No need for big memory.

 

[greasemonkeyjmj]

Re: computer display help

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187007 does that seem like it would be compatible with my motherboard

 

[jevery]

Re: computer display help

I would think it's compatible. Typically if the motherboard interface is the same, PCI Express-16, then the card will work. Looks like Newegg will allow a product return for up to thirty days for a refund if the product doesn't work for your application, (unless otherwise noted in the product description) and subject to a 15% restocking fee plus return shipping.
http://www.newegg.com/HelpInfo/ReturnPolicy.aspx#1
Do you have a manual detailing how to disable the onboard video? Maybe as simple as pulling the jumper connector between two pins marked "video" or "onboard video".

 

[greasemonkeyjmj]

Re: computer display help

I would think it's compatible. Typically if the motherboard interface is the same, PCI Express-16, then the card will work. Looks like Newegg will allow a product return for up to thirty days for a refund if the product doesn't work for your application, (unless otherwise noted in the product description) and subject to a 15% restocking fee plus return shipping.
http://www.newegg.com/HelpInfo/ReturnPolicy.aspx#1
Do you have a manual detailing how to disable the onboard video? Maybe as simple as pulling the jumper connector between two pins marked "video" or "onboard video".

i think ill go ahead and order that one. i didnt get a manual with this computer, i'll deal with the disableing problems when i get the new card...thanks

 

[jevery]

Re: computer display help

EMachines has free E-Mail technical support.
http://emachines-us.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/emachines_us.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php?p_sid=hCySs9kj
Contact them first about disabling the onboard video - Thats important to do if switching over to a video card. Also ask their opinion of your intended purchase, (with a link to it). i can't imagine it wouldn't work, but doesn't hurt to ask.

 

[greasemonkeyjmj]

Re: computer display help

thanks again jevery ill keep you updated on the outcome.

 

[jevery]

Re: computer display help

Actually I have no interest in helping you. I'm just trying to earn my fourth stripe. Only two more posts to go.