Computer Hope

Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: hokie2011 on August 23, 2009, 05:31:08 PM

Title: Screen scrambles after short use
Post by: hokie2011 on August 23, 2009, 05:31:08 PM

I just purchased a refurbished HP computer and it seems to be working great except that after about
30-45 minutes of use the screen begins to scramble and needs to be restarted. The monitor I'm using with it is brand new, its a Synaps 24" LCD monitor. The computer is a Compaq and is set up as follows:

Windows XP Professional, Version 2002, Service Pack 3
Pentium 4, 3.00GHz
0.99 GB of RAM

Intel 82865G Graphics Controller

What's wrong with it?

Title: Re: Screen scrambles after short use
Post by: Quantos on August 23, 2009, 05:34:19 PM

It sounds like the onboard graphics is having issues.

I know it's refurbished, but they generally have a limited warranty, is it still covered?

Title: Re: Screen scrambles after short use
Post by: smeezekitty on August 23, 2009, 05:35:17 PM

i assume you mean 1gb RAM
are you doing anything processor intesnive when it goes crazy
download speedfan and post the temps
make sure the moniter is pluged in tight

Title: Re: Screen scrambles after short use
Post by: Quantos on August 23, 2009, 05:38:13 PM

Quote from: Quantos on August 23, 2009, 05:34:19 PM

It sounds like the onboard graphics is having issues.

I know it's refurbished, but they generally have a limited warranty, is it still covered?

Title: Re: Screen scrambles after short use
Post by: hokie2011 on August 23, 2009, 05:46:00 PM

Well when I pull up the system info it says its 0.99 RAM, so I don't know what that means, maybe I got jipped .01 of RAM?

I'm not doing anything too strenuous when it begins to scramble, it will even do it if its been sitting by itself.

I ran speedfan and the readings were:
CPU: 33C
Local: 33C
Remote 2: 49C
HD0: 42C

Title: Re: Screen scrambles after short use
Post by: Quantos on August 23, 2009, 05:48:03 PM

Quote from: hokie2011 on August 23, 2009, 05:46:00 PM

Well when I pull up the system info it says its 0.99 RAM, so I don't know what that means, maybe I got jipped .01 of RAM?

That's just a difference between how hardware reads it and how software reads it.  You also probably have some of that allocated to your on board graphics card. 

See my previous post.

Title: Re: Screen scrambles after short use
Post by: smeezekitty on August 23, 2009, 05:48:14 PM

temps seem fine
a screenshot would help
is the moniter cable tight?
if that doesnt work i would go for warranty

Title: Re: Screen scrambles after short use
Post by: hokie2011 on August 25, 2009, 08:48:04 PM

So just a follow up...just because it seems weird. The problem has suddenly stopped.....
I placed a mini personal fan blowing into the slot where the internal fan seems to be just in case it was overheating but I'm not sure if that has any effect...

Title: Re: Screen scrambles after short use
Post by: Kurtiskain on August 26, 2009, 04:57:16 PM

Sounds like it is overheating even at that temperature, or you have faulty RAM in that machine.

Try downloading and running MemTest on it for 2 or more passes and see what happens.
http://www.memtest.org/download/2.11/memtest86+-2.11.iso.zip (http://www.memtest.org/download/2.11/memtest86+-2.11.iso.zip)

You will have to burn the ISO to a CD, and then boot from it.

If you don't know how please post back for more elaborate instructions.