Display problems on my computer

[jmak]

Morning all - looking for advice again please

 

I have a problem which is only affecting my PC - not sure if it's hardware or software, but I'm feeling pessimistic this morning, so I've gone for hardware. I'm getting pixellated images on my screen. It's a Dell E5500 and the problem is apparent whether or not it's displaying through an external monitor. It's intermittent. Doesn't always affect all windows. The only pattern I've been able to establish is that it seems to worse around the edges of Windows, i.e. if I open a new window which is "restored down" the title bar tends to affected. If I then maximise the window, the title bar is often still affected, but the area of the screen where it previously appeared displays correctly, but the title bar at the top of the screen continues to have the problem. I've attached an image which might make more sense than my description

 

 

Thanks in advance

[FN-GM]

Is that a screenshot or a picture of the screen?

[jmak]

Is that a screenshot or a picture of the screen?

 

Screenshot.

[FN-GM]

If it was hardware i wouldn't expect to see that on the screenshot. Have you tried re-imaging the machine?

[aleach2]

Uninstall and reinstall your graphics driver? Try and get the latest driver if possible. It might also be worth doing a RAM test. It could be a faulty stick or check that they are seated correctly.

[jmak]

If it was hardware i wouldn't expect to see that on the screenshot. Have you tried re-imaging the machine?

 

I could, but haven't yet. I wouldn't really hesistate with anyone else's machine, but I've got lots of extra stuff installed that isn't on the image. I'll try driver and memory stuff first.

[jmak]

Embarrassing admission time: It was the monitor

 

I did update the driver, then removed and re-installed the RAM. Booted up before I had reconnected the monitor and noticed it was OK. Plugged in monitor and sure enough, problem re-appeared. Changed the VGA cable and got a different symptom: shadows on the monitor, but not on the laptop. Changed the monitor and all OK.

 

Now, I made a post yesterday advising someone who was asking about a primary school tech job and I said check the cables first before you go delving into technical solutions...

 

Sorry to waste your time

Edited September 11, 2013 by jmak

[jmak]

Spoke too soon. Working on the laptop with no screen attached and it's just started happening again. Starting to feel like a frustrated user - maybe if I call Dell in it will magically start working, just like when staff try to demonstrate their problems to me

 

Looks like I need to re-image...