flickering monitor

[Nancy]

Hi,

I have a monitor that keeps flickering in the past few weeks. Is there any
driver that would cause this? How can I tell if it's the monitor itself or
if it's some software or hardware or driver causing it? I did install a new
HP Officejet J5780 All-in-One. I can't recall if the flickering started at
that exact time or not. Could this be the case?

Thanks in advance,
Nancy

 

[Nancy]

There are a number of factors that can cause "flickering", some of
which you can do something about with little or no cost, while other
involve spending money.

I hope not. My computer is not even a year old. Bought it in February.

- I doubt that the installtion of a new printer driver would cause
the flickering on the monitor, but perhaps the printer itself?

I unplugged the printer and disconnected it from the CPU. However there are
bunches of cords under there. I tried to adjust them but that didn't work.

Working

on the assumption that all your devices (Computer, Monitor and
Printer) are plugged into the same mains outlet, it's possible that
you where borderline on power draw to begin with, and the addition of
the printer has resulted in not enough power being provided to the
monitor.
- There may be some form of electrical interference that is being
picked up by the monitor. I've seen this sometimes when a mains power
line is crossing the signal cable of the monitor. Re-positioning the
running of the cables may help. Are there any appliances such as
refridgerators or air conditioners nearby?

No refrigerator or A.C.

- Flickering can also be caused when you are using 2 monitors
connected to the same mains outlet, but you didn't mention whether you
have a dual monitor setup or not,

No dual monitor setup.

so this may not be the cause.

- You display driver may be using a low refresh rate. Right-click an
empty area of your desktop, selct "Personalize". Click on "Display
Settings". Click "Advanced Settings". Click the "Monitor" tab. Make
sure that the "Hide modes that this monitor cannot display" is
checked, and then under "Screen refresh rate", selct the next highest
value available, if any.

Had tried that before. It's set up for 75.

CAUTION: Improperly setting the refresh rate

can damage you monitor. Consult with your monitor documentation for
the range of safe supported refresh rates.
- The monitor itself may be failing. The quickest and easiest method
of checking this is to plug it into another computer and see if the
problem persists.

The problem is not the monitor since I attached it to my old 1999 computer
and it works out there. And we brought the old monitor in here and still
get some flickering.


If the flickering goes away, then any of the above

could be causing the flicker. If it remains, then it's possible that
the monitor may be failing and will need to be replaced.Please respond
back with details on whether any of this has worked for
you.

Thanks for the help. I had downloaded NVidia upgrade however the "driver is
working correctly" so it says.

Could this possibly also be from installing a new laser mouse? I had to
install an update for it causing a lost screen saver. That problem was
cured but maybe the mouse is causing more problems??? It's a Microsoft
model 1058. Laser mouse 5000.

Thanks bunches,
Nancy

 

[Gary Mount]

What Hz do you have your monitor set to? I see flicker at 60 hz or lower on
a CRT monitor.

 

[the wharf rat]

There are a number of factors that can cause "flickering", some of

Flickering monitor story:

I was supporting a programming group who all used Sun workstations.
These things came with what at the time was probably the best graphics
monitors in production, huge 20 inch hi res monsters. One of the engineers
called me to complain that her monitor was fuzzy and flickering. I told her
I'd be right over, but when I looked at it it looked fine to me. I replaced
it anyway with a brand new one.

As soon as I got back to the office she called again: "The new
monitor is even worse". I told her I'd come back and see. Of course
the new monitor looked fine to me but I replaced it with a known good one
just in case.

Well, sure enough, an hour later the same engineer called back to find
out when I was going to replace her monitor because this one was too fuzzy
and flickery for her to work with it. I didn't get back to her office
until she'd left for the day, and when I got there I saw what the problem
was right away.

Sure enough, her monitor was fuzzy and flickering. Because of the
flourescent desk lamp se'd placed right next to it for extra light. When she
knew I'd be coming to work on it she very considerately moved her personal
stuff including the lamp out of the way and turned off the monitor. She
never noticed that as soon as she moved the lamp it stopped flickering because
she always turned it off and THEN moved the lamp. *I* never noticed it flicker
because the lamp was always moved when I got there.

I explained the relationship and voila`...

 

[Nancy]

I have it set to 75.

What Hz do you have your monitor set to? I see flicker at 60 hz or lower
on a CRT monitor.

 

[Nancy]

Good thought however that is not the case here.

This flickering is not a constant thing. It only happens once every minute
or so.

I thought it might be from my new mouse so I put the old mouse back on last
night. However I didn't uninstall the laser one. Still have the flicker.

As for the cords touching each other, I have tried to rearrange them but I
have no idea how you keep them from touching. I'm trying though.

Could this have anything to do with an update for Vista?

Thanks,
Nancy