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View Full Version : Monitor Problem - CRT has a "wavy" image


Foxie3a
05-10-05, 03:31 AM
I've been trying to figure out what's causing it for about a week now, and can't figure it out.

The problem is simple. Picture each row of pixels is connected and move at the same time. Now shake it to the sides, each row wiggles to the left and right making a wavy look. It's a lot like what happens when you have magnets near by, however my speakers dont do it in 5.1 mode, I've turned them off, and moved them, same problem. I have checked, and even moved the cord, no change.

I plugged my other monitor into the slot, and didn't see the waves, but I didn't test long. My main monitor is a lot better than the second, and it might be more sensitive maybe?

This is an X700, and ever since it's been in here it's done this, so it might be the card, or maybe even the drivers since I'm waiting to format. It doesn't seem to do it in the BIOS, but it's hard to tell. When it was on my 9800 it never gave me a problem, then that computer was taken apart, I used this monitor with my laptop for about a day, then I plugged it into the X700. I wonder if my laptop did something to it.

Stock is 85hz on it, but it's been running at 120 forever without any problem. I wonder if it coincidently broke from the "overclock" at the same time as the hardware switch.

I've played with all the settings in the monitor's control panel. I learned that the temperature 9300 is very nice, compared to the other 6400 I think it was.

Decreasing the refresh rate seems to reduce the problem, but not eliminate it, so it's not worth runningat low for me. Decreasing bit depth to 16bit seemed to help, but the waves were still there. And finally, the waves seem to be on the right side of the monitor, not the left. It's funny, that's the side where there is absolutely nothing.

The waves are livable. I'd rather just live with it than go shopping, but I would be thrilled to solve the problem. I took a 3 second movie of it if anyone is interested. It's still on my camera so I'm unsure of the size. I can email it if someone is interested. I was able to change the settings so the waves are VERY visible.

I guess I can rule out software once I format, which is when I get my power supply back from RMA, which should be anytime now. Hardware or Software? Vcard or Monitor?

Thanks. :)

Binman_UK
05-10-05, 06:48 AM
Is there any kind of power supply nearby? That would be my first guess.
When the light is turned on in the room next door to me, my monitor goes wavy for a few seconds! You tried moving it to a different location?

Binny.

Foxie3a
05-10-05, 01:09 PM
I havn't tried moving it because it's always been here without any problems. The power supply is nearby, but it always has been.

mdameron
05-10-05, 01:54 PM
any fans nearby? any added speakers lately?

try adjusting your refresh rate both up and down... and make sure there are no fans near it.

laynlow
05-10-05, 02:13 PM
I have a Dell monitor that does that. Dell sent two replacements and they were both the same. Try moving the location of the monitor across the room or even a different room. If it stops, you have an environmental problem. If it doesn't you have a hardware problem. The only way I can make this one monitor stable is to run it at 1200x1600. Anything else and it shakes.

infinitevalence
05-10-05, 02:16 PM
It could also just be a CRT on its way out. They generaly look fine in lower res like the bios or 800x600 but then get color shift or waves at higher resolution. You may want to start saving for a new monitor just incase

nstabl
05-10-05, 02:21 PM
i agre with infinite, if it look fine with lower res's, start your good-byes now

Foxie3a
05-10-05, 05:27 PM
I run it at 640x480 because it's not very close to me. It's always been at that resolution. When plugged into the laptop it was at 1024x768, which it never does. My enviroment hasn't changed, so I dont know what it could be.