Video Problem! Help!

[GreatRewards]

Ok, so here goes.

I've slowly been upgrading my PC over time (kind of a FrankenPC, if you know what I mean) and I've run into a bit of trouble.

The last upgrade I made was a cheap mobo/CPU combo deal from Fry's Electronics. It's a ECS K5S7A mobo and AMD Athlon 1800+ processor (I think). The processor is not the problem (except that it seems to be running at 1.1G instead of 1.5G like it should, but that's another issue). The problem was with my video card. I have an ATI Radeon 9600 128M video card and as soon as I started the new system up, I was getting all kinds of static and tiny wavy crap on the screen. No matter what I tried (jiggling cables, reseating the card, banging on the side of the monitor) nothing helped. The longer the machine was on, the worse the screen got, and it gave my wife headaches.

I didn't do anything about it, and either we got used to it, or it just kinda faded away, cuz I haven't really noticed in lately. But now, we've added a larger monitor (and OLD 19" Samsung - weighs about 300 lbs!) and I've also added a 2-port KVM switch to share the controls between two boxes... and the tiny wavy crap is back.

I've read scattered posts about problems with the K5S7A and ATI video cards, but most of the talk is about system hangs during gameplay and stuff, so I never really got a clear understanding of the exact cause of the problem.

I'm don't know where to begin. I don't want to spend a ton of money replacing hardware until I have some idea of which hardware to replace (Monitor? Mobo? Video card? KVM switch?).

Anyone out there have experience with / knowledge of this problem (or problems)?

Thanks,

GreatRewards

 

[johnjkr1]

The wavy lines you describe can be caused by a number of things. First, you need to try the machine and monitor in another room since different electronics can cause that problem (fridge, fan, microwave, etc). You also should try different resolutions and refresh rates (you didnt state what you had it at)...for testing, also take the KVM out of the equation.

 

[GreatRewards]

but I NEEEEEEED the KVM! Oh no! What will I do if that's the problem!??? I can't go back... I won't go back.... Auuughhhhh!

Actually, thanks for the suggestions. We definitely do not have any new electronics in the room, just the TV, which has been there all along. I definitely WILL try taking the KVM out of he equation.

As for my refresh rate.... I'm not sure. I know I tried a few different ones last night, but they had no effect. I'm running at 1024x768 and (i think) refresh rate of 65. I know I tried 70, 75, & 85 but the waviness didn't go away.

I'm gonna be sad if the KVM is the culprit.

 

[johnjkr1]

While i did the support desk thing, KVM's were a common cause...the other cause was stuff in a room. No idea why, moving it to another room took care of the problem half the time. My monitor gets all wavy when the fridge comes on and its accross the house.

 

[Slikkster]

Take a look at the SmartGart utility (control panel) and see what's enabled and what's disabled. You might want to consider disabling/removing SmartGart altogether if it's limiting your AGP options.