Monitor image "shakes"...what could be the causes?

[MaxDSP]

The monitor is a 3-6 month old (bought new) 19" Samsung SyncMaster 955DF, video card is a GeForce2 GTS (non-overclocked), resolution is 1152x864 (32-bit), and refresh rate is 75 Hz. We recently moved to a new house, and I used to have a KDS 17" monitor for this PC with a lower resolution, but that never gave me problems as far as "shaking" goes.

I also have a 2.1 speaker system, Labtec Pulse-424, and I believe the satellites are 6W each, and the sub at 20W. The satellites are about 2 feet away from the monitor, and the sub is under the desk and on the floor, about a straight 3-4 feet from the monitor. The shaking thing happens whether or not the speakers are on or not, and in fact, the sub was actualy closer to the monitor at my old house, but that didnt cause any problems unless the volume was all the way up.

Other things that may affect it: Monitor is right under a window, and right next to my closet (which has a wooden door). I really cant think of what is causing the disturbance. I have tried different frequencies but that still doesnt help.

 

[cow123]

im guessing the new house has a lot of EMI in it

 

[MaxDSP]

Originally posted by: cow123
im guessing the new house has a lot of EMI in it

if thats the case, what would be the best way to get rid of it or lessen it around the monitor?

 

[cow123]

heh i dunno maybe try tracking down the source of it first, could be faulty wiring or something

or put a big metal box around the monitor with a cutout bit so u can see it lol

 

[waylman]

My monitor does this also at certaing refresh rates. You could try changing that. Also try a different plug in the wall.

 

[cow123]

I have tried different frequencies but that still doesnt help.

 

[stultus]

Is your new house next to power lines? Are there any other monitors in the house you can bring into your room and see if they exhibit the same effect? If another one does, then you're pretty much sunk. The only way I can think of to get around it is to buy an LCD monitor, which isn't affected by EMI.

 

[capricorn]

Do you have your monitor plugged into a UPS? If not, you might try (borrowing) a good quality one that does constant line conditioning and see if that helps. The refrigerator or A/C doesn't happen to be on the other side of the wall does it? You could try just reorienting the monitor by facing different directions to see if any is better (or worse)?

-cap

 

[440sixpack]

That happens with my computer at work, we think it's either something to do with the flourescent lights or nearby electrical wiring in the walls. At 60 Hz refresh it goes away, but that's to flickery for me. So at 75 Hz it stays, where I've learned to ignore it.

 

[squidman]

Tis' be the stabilization at work. Try to relocate the PC from phone and power lines, or tv antennas. Also, this WILL happen, if the PC case is right next (to the side) of the monitor.

 

[ChefJoe]

My 955DF does this too, I really think it's just an incompatability with the higher refresh rates. There's a window between 60 and 75 Hz whereI get vibration fuzziness. Its either the KDS next to it (dual setup) or the monitor (I've moved this PC plenty of times).

 

[clumsum]

Try a different video card with your system, or try a different monitor, and see if the problem persists.
I had an older Toshiba Infinia desktop pc and monitor that did the same thing, I would turn off the monitor and then turn it back on and the shaking would usually quit.
Never did know the exact cause of the problem, I'm using the same monitor (in the same location) with another pc and have not experienced any of the shaking since.
So my guess is the Infinia's video card was having some type of hardware incompatability, or power issue?

 

[Looney]

My monitor did the same thing... too much EMI or the lines were too dirty (we have over 10 fridges and freezers). Once i got a Smart UPS, that cleared it right up. Don't buy any UPS though, even if it says AVR (Auto Voltage Regulation)... that's complete crap. It doesn't really clean the lines. What a Smart UPS does, is it charges the battery, then reconverts the DC to AC to power your computer/monitor, so that cleans up the lines a lot.

Smart UPS are extremely expensive though... starting at $300USD+ even for the lowest end models i believe.

 

[Ardan]

Do you have your power strip near your monitor? I had monitor interference like that in a system in the other room and moving the powerstrip less than a foot away made it go away. I remember removing the shakes on another system at someone's house where they had the strip near the monitor, but also had a transformer for their 4-peice system sitting near the monitor as well. Maybe that has something to do with it. I saw a 955DF at a store once, at 1280x1024 res and I think it was running at 75 or 85Hz (was definitely not 60Hz) and it didn't shake, so I'd check that out too...see if you have any huge power source nearby.

 

[MaxDSP]

As some of you pointed out, the power lines for the whole house are right outside my window, as in they connect the house to the power pole. Id say its about 5-7 feet away from the monitor, on the other side of the wall.

However, I turned the refresh rate down to 60 Hz and the shakes have seemed to dissappear. Intresting...

EDIT: Thanks for all the suggestions and help, BTW...

 

[stultus]

Time for an LCD panel

 

[Ardan]

Originally posted by: stultus
Time for an LCD panel

I agree
I am holding out on a desperately-needed new monitor to see if I can find a new job and then get a few hundred more bucks to get a decent 17" LCD online .

 

[MaxDSP]

Originally posted by: stultus
Time for an LCD panel

heh, I wish...gottta start paying back student loans and stuff so Im gonna be strapped for cash for a while. Guess Im gonna have to live with 60 Hz or move the monitor somewhere else.