Wavy lines on monitor

[Sunbird]

I built the following cheapish gaming computer for a client, 2.4 P4E (533FSB version), JetRam 2x256MB PC3200, Gigabyte ATi MB with integrated radeon 9200 graphics Gigabyte Motherboard, 80GB seagate barracuda.

The problem is that at a resolution of 800x600 there are these darkish lines that move like waves across the screen, it seems to occur mainly when the IDE channels are accessed, both HDD and CD-Rom.

The problem is still there at 1024x768 but it is much fainter, almost unnoticable.

I have updated the motherboard BIOS, tried newest drivers (does it even with default windows drivers), different refresh rates and nothing has helped. I'll be taking it one on Tuesday, back to the supplier for them to check it out.

Does anyone here have any idea what could be the problem?

Sunbird

 

[Sunbird]

bump

 

[KarenMarie]

Is there anything near your system that could be causing interference? A cellphone, a clothes dryer, a cell phone, a furnace. It could also be the outlet...Try plugging the monitor into a different outlet.

Also, is the refresh rate on the correct setting?

 

[Sunbird]

Well, it does this on just this PC, the other 3 PC's around it don't suffer the same issue, in that area, affecting none of the others. 2 using discrete graphics cards, one using onboard

It also does is one all 3 monitors, from 17" Viewsonic flatscreen to a 14" MAG monitor, any frequency, just becomes very faint, almost unnoticable, at higher resolutions. Haven't had a chance to test it with a seperate graphics card, but that doesn't solve the problem, just would hide it, its still there.

The client is planning on getting a better graphics card and monitor over Christmas, but has a 14" now, so the higher resolution trick won't work currently since he would have to run his PC at 800x600.

And just to repeat, its most obvious when the harddrive or CD-Rom is being accessed.

Sunbird

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: KarenMarie
Is there anything near your system that could be causing interference? A cellphone, a clothes dryer, a cell phone, a furnace. It could also be the outlet...Try plugging the monitor into a different outlet.

Also, is the refresh rate on the correct setting?

And don't forget about things on the other side of the wall. EM interference isn't fazed by drywall or panelling.

 

[Sunbird]

Shouldn't it be kindof protected from EMI when the case is closed up, (open or closed makes no difference in the wavy lines anyway), and there was nothing else like that running around there even, even had all the other PC's unplugged once to check that.

And its seperated from other rooms by a 2 brick thick brick wall, not that anything electrical was on in thsoe other rooms.

I'm starting to thinks this ATi motherboard chipset or the radeon part of it or something like that is flaky, because the IDE channel seems to be causing the interference.

Has anyone else experienced this problem with integrated graphics? Do you guys agree it must be a mobo problem?

Sunbird

 

[airfoil]

Too early to say its a motherboard problem.

Did you try degaussing the monitor? I'd also try replacing the IDE cable and/or shielding power cables around the chipset area.

 

[Sunbird]

Thaks for the ideas so far guys, yes tried degaussing my 17" viewsonic didn't help. Did replace the IDE cables already with ones I know that doesn't cause problems (from my personal machine), but still the interference is there.

"shielding power cables around the chipset area", talking about inside or outside the case? In any case, I have moved the PC around to other locations and that doesn't solve anything.

Mmm, maybe its the power supply? could that be it? can't test that now, but is it likely?

Sunbird

 

[airfoil]

Originally posted by: Sunbird

"shielding power cables around the chipset area", talking about inside or outside the case? In any case, I have moved the PC around to other locations and that doesn't solve anything.

Mmm, maybe its the power supply? could that be it? can't test that now, but is it likely?

Sunbird

I meant shielding the cables inside the computer - but it does seem like a long shot.

And yes, I'd try switching the power supply as well.

Try uninstalling and resinstalling the graphics drivers too.

 

[Sunbird]

Ok, I'll go swap out the power supplies later and report back on monday if it helped. Thanks for the help so far guys, will let you know on monday.

Sunbird

 

[Sunbird]

Just to get back to you guys that helped me, the PSU swap didn't help. Had to have the motherboard swopped out at the supplier and its all working fine now, it turned out to be that the nortbridges onboard Radeon was flaky.

Thanks for your help guys.

:beer: to AT forums

 

[madthumbs]

Better rgb cable may help, as well as relocating monitor.