What might cause purplish streaks on screen? (picture included)

[mysticfm]

For the last few weeks I've had a minor but increasingly annoying video problem. I don't think it was happening before that, but I'm not sure ... it may have come on gradually.

The problem can be seen anytime I've got Windows running and there is a large bright area with a darker (but not black) area to the right. It is not specific to any particular application. I've used my camera to snap a picture that shows the problem pretty plainly (look at the purplish streaks to the right of the white sections of the Paint Shop Pro splash screen). Here's a link to the picture:

http://img.photobucket.com/alb...ideoproblem082804.jpg


I don't know if I should suspect my 2 month old new ATI Radeon 9800 Pro card (retail, 256MB, non-overclocked, non-flashed) or my 17" Sony Trinitron Multiscan 200sf monitor (the latter is about seven years old now, but it's given me perfect quality video up until this problem).

I'm attaching the picture. I've tried shifting the monitor cable to different positions and changing video resolutions. None of that made any improvement.

Any ideas? In particular, has anyone experienced the same sort of video problem, and if so, what was at fault ... the video card, the monitor, or something else?

(Edited to add a better subject line.)

- David

 

[SickBeast]

It's more than likely the monitor; I've had similar issues w/ my 22" ViewSonic CRT.

LCD's don't have these types of problems, which is one of the main reasons why I'll never buy another CRT screen.

You can try adjusting the dynamic convergence settings on your monitor (among other settings), but it's doubtful that anything short of a full servicing will fix the problem.

Good luck.

 

[Noid]

I have a slight ghosting problem also.

I moved my monitor 1 too many times I think.
Cuz, if I move the monitor around (wiggle from side to side), it goes away for awhile.

So, I jarred something loose I guess

Did you try to 'degause' it yet?

 

[mysticfm]

The Sony Multiscan 200sf has an "auto-degauss" that runs every time the monitor is powered on. There's no manual activation for it ... according to the manual it isn't needed. Unfortunately, this monitor is also old enough that there are no dynamic convergence settings. So I'm guessing at this point that it is on its last legs.

I guess it's just as well ... it's becoming awkward at best to do software development on a monitor that doesn't render crisp text at anything above 1024x768. And I can't complain too much after getting 7+ good years out of this CRT. So I see a 19" in my near future ... most likely it will be another CRT, since I also like 3D games like flight sims and so forth, and from what I've seen, LCDs aren't quite fast enough to do as good a job as a CRT on such things yet. (Anyway, good LCDs are out of my price range right now, whereas I probably will be able to swing the $250 or so for a 19" CRT when the time comes.)

 

[Viper96720]

If you know someone with another computer You could take your monitor and hook it up to that one. Then you would know if it's monitor or video card.

 

[SickBeast]

Another potential cause that I forgot to mention is interference from the VGA cable. Make sure that there are no other wires tangled and wrapped around it, and that there is nothing nearby that could affect the signal quality (speakers, microwave oven, etc.).

 

[xgi]

It's the magnetic effect on CRT screens.. try to search the OSD menu for "Degauss" or some sort like that to remove magnetic distortions on CRT screens...

*Edit*
This can due to the moving of earth's magnetic polarity, nearby magnetic objects (e.g. Speakers, Subs, Magnets, etc...), and other magnetic source... Try moving your speakers and maybe other magnetic stuff if the degauss option won't solve the problem..