Hey everyone, I'm having an unusual problem. I turned on my computer, and I'm seeing odd red and turquoise bars on the screen:



I have a feeling my monitor is starting to go, but I'm not certain. It's pretty old. Got it like 2 years ago used. Can't find the exact model, but it's a Dell.

I tried restarting the computer, and turning the monitor off and on again. Didn't do anything.

My other specs are:

Pentium D 3.2GHZ
1GB Ram
ATI x1300 512mb

Hopefully someone can confirm whether or not I need a new monitor. Thanks in advance.

P.s. I wasn't sure which subsection to put this in.

That usually means a video card problem. Possibly the RAMDACs are failing, or more likely, the RAM is failing. Its probably not the monitor

Videocard RAM

Yep, video card ram prob. Seen it before on one of my own...

I see. So is there anything I can do? Or should I just replace it?

Nothing to do except pitch the present card and buy a new one. At least when you get a new one, you'll get a pleasant surprise in how much better everything performs.

Yea that's what I was thinking

Thanks for the replies everyone. While I'm here, any thoughts on what card I should get? I game casually, but don't want anything too expensive, and would prefer to avoid any incidents like this again.

wait a couple weeks and buy an ati 4850, it'll likely be the best value for your money in the 175-200 range

just make sure your PC has pci-e slot on the motherboard and you should be chill.

There are cheaper options around though and when the new video cards hit the market current stuff should drop a bit - so you just have to keep your eyes open I suppose

Good advice. Thanks.

^The 4850 will be a great deal if your willing to wait. If not a 8800gs or 3850 or 9600 gso should be good.

Does it do that during boot up or does it appear only in Windows? I'm guessing it's during boot too, but it's worth asking. If it only appears in Windows it could be a driver problem, but it's rather unlikely.

I've had that problem before with a couple of low-cost monitors i had. In that case, buying a new monitor fixed the problem... that is until the next one broke. I now have an LG 22in. that's been working for quite some time.

I recommend getting a new monitor, or if possible, borrow one from a friend, to determine if that is the problem. If the problem is the monitor you should know quickly after borrowing one from a friend, if that doesn't fix it, then the video card is definitely the problem.

If you eliminate the monitor as the cause of the problem by substitution the problem is with the graphics card. A possible cause of the problem with the graphics card could be faulty electrolytic capacitors (Google faulty capacitors) its is possible to replace the capacitors yourself, otherwise see if the graphics card is still in warranty as many manufactures offer a three year warranty, if not throw the graphics card in the bin.

Ummmm is that a screenshot or a photo taken of the screen and trimmed?

Usually the video card doesnt know its displaying that and you cant get a screenshot of it?

Just to be sure try another monitor out and see how that goes.

nvalhalla: I never watch my computer boot up, so I don't know if it happens then too, but I'll check.

MegaGamer3: Yea I thought about doing that. I'll see if I can borrow a friends monitor.

apache_lives: That is an actual screenshot, and that's what I first noticed about it too. I wasn't sure if the bars would even show up when I took it.

Thanks everyone.