What is going bad? Video Card, Monitor or DVI Cable?

[TrentJ]

Just recently I built a new machine and everything has been working fine. The only component that I did not buy was a monitor...still using my Dell 2001 panel. My video card is an EVGA 8800GTS 512.

Last night my monitor starting displaying a section, about 2 inches wide, of multi-colored bars on the right hand side of the display. It totally blocks everything underneath such as the task bar clock, tray icons, etc...Then it will go away...and then come back later. Video card is not overclocked when this happens. And after it went away I was able to play TF2 for a couple of hours with my card overclocked so it seems that the video card is ok??

I haven't had time to swamp out with another LCD or swap the DVI cable. And I don't have another video card to try so that is out of the question.

Just wanted to see if anyone else has had a similar issue and what component was the culprit.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Kmart]

I have had similar issues in the past. My result was that my video card was overheating sporadically, the other fans in my case would keep it cool most of the time, but when the fan on the Card kept going off and on it would get too hot.

 

[krnmastersgt]

So you're saying his card is throttling already, or the fan is just defective? Run the system with a side panel off and maybe a large room fan blowing into it, if the problem resolves itself then it is indeed an overheating issue.

 

[Kmart]

Yeah, was trying to say it could possibly be the video cards fan.

 

[TrentJ]

I don't think that my video card is overheating (but I will try with the panel off to make sure).

I have RivaTuner running in the background so I can keep an eye on the temps and fan. My fan is set to start at 50% and go up as the temp goes up. My idle temp of the video card is around 43C. It only gets up to about 65 or so when playing games.

I do have a very long DVI cable so I thought that might be having an issue because only part of the screen was being affected (I don't know how the pins trasmit data). But it is a high quality cable and has not been damaged in any way.

Can an LCD monitor start to go bad in this manner? I would think that the whole screen would start acting up?

Also, one thing I did try was to connect the DVI cable to the other DVI output of the video card but it still showed up.

 

[krnmastersgt]

Well that wouldn't signal anything except a crummy DVI port on the card, you should make the time to try using a different DVI cable as well as monitor, change 1 thing at a time so you can identify the culprit.

 

[Scottae]

might try the other dvi port ...

 

[TrentJ]

Still trying to figure this out...last night I first changed DVI cables...still had the issue. I then changed monitors no issue. However that monitor is a Dell 17FP at 12 x 10. Would the resolution make a difference? I know have both monitors plugged in at the same time and running both at 12 x 10 (not native for the 2001).

Do you think that the resolution would make a difference. I had the Dell 2001 running at 16x12 when it started the problem. Or should I just admit that I probably will need a new monitor? I just want to make sure because the video card is new and under warranty. Plus I would get the 24" Dell to replace but would have to convince the wife first...no way am I going back to the 17"!!

I forgot to mention that this problem even happens sometimes when just surfing the net, etc...not just when playing games. That is why I think it is probably the monitor.

Thanks.