Computer - fuzzy liney screen

[bwestlake]

Hi all,

 

We have had a large delivery of about 80+ computers to site, one of which sometimes has a fuzzy liney screen, called out the suppliers and they couldnt replicate the problem, (they then tried to charge us as their was 'no problem') a couple of days later it happens again.

 

Image below:

 

 

Computer is windows 7 and has been reimaged a couple of times...

 

just compleatly stumped now and dont really want to call them out if it can not be replicated when it needs to be

[localzuk]

Film it happening. I do this with all our problems which are intermittent - that way they can't deny it happens.

[elsiegee40]

Have you tried swapping leads with a PC that doesn't get this problem?

[Oaktech]

looks like either a dodgy graphics output, dodgy cable or dodgy monitor. can you try interchanging those components and see what happens?

[bwestlake]

done that and it saved us £185 but it still doesnt fix the problem

[elsiegee40]

done that and it saved us £185 but it still doesnt fix the problem

What, exactly, have you done so far?

 

The obvious basics are to start with trying the monitor of a different PC.

If you still get the problem, it's the monitor.

 

Put the monitor back on the original PC and swap the lead connecting it to the PC. If you still get the problem, it's in the PC somehwre probably.

 

Try a different monitor on the PC. Still get the problem, it's definitely a PC component. If these are new PCs, then it goes back to vendor as not fit for purpose and demanding a replacement.

[bwestlake]

it happened down in a classroom and the ones up here are compleatly differant, (£185 saved was from filming it to show to suppliers)

[synaesthesia]

That is 100% not monitor related.

2 things - 100% is either:

 

1. System memory

2. Graphics memory.

 

Replace the RAM if you can do so without voiding warranty and bet it works fine

[elsiegee40]

This is a new PC. Under the sale of goods act, it should be fit for purpose and it clearly isn't. Your contract under the sale of goods act is with the seller, not the manufacturer, so it's their problem and I'd be jumping up and down demanding a replacement. You shouldn't have to debug exactly which component has failed.

[Oaktech]

I would lay money on you having a dodgy graphics card. Can you try a second graphics card?

 

I had a dell that did something similar years ago and when we eventually convinced Dell it was their problem they discovered the GPU chip wasn't completely soldered and as the gpu heated up in use the pads came away and it failed.

[bwestlake]

display is on board grapphics

[Ric_]

To me that looks like either faulty graphics card or a dodgy connection on the graphics card.

 

Believe it or not, the following was a dodgy connection (the graphics card had come half-un-seated).

 

[synaesthesia]

Reseat the memory. I am 100% certain that is the fault. Any more than that then as @elsiegee40 very rightly points out the supplier is obliged to do something about it. Even if reseating the RAM works, let them know you've had to do that and you're not happy with their service.

[Oaktech]

display is on board grapphics

 

can you use a second card and disable onboard just to see what happens?

[bwestlake]

after reseating the ram the problem occours again

[plexer]

Don't forget tha b2b transations are different under the sales of goods act etc... from consumer purchases.

 

Ben

[ICTLTD]

There is no way that is system memory related that is a graphics controller problem or video signal problem.

Does it look the same in windows or is it just in boot?

[twin--turbo]

display is on board grapphics

 

System ram is probably the main suspect then.

 

Rob

[elsiegee40]

Demand they replace it... now. Threaten small claims court if you have to.

[twin--turbo]

There is no way that is system memory related that is a graphics controller problem or video signal problem.

Does it look the same in windows or is it just in boot?

 

You are aware that most on-board graphics chipsets steal memory from the main system memory.

 

Rob

[ICTLTD]

It is not unknown for onboard graphics to fail. I have seen many cases of the above being bad onboard chip, connector or cable. I have never seen bad RAM produce that, blue screen would happen if the ram was that corrupt, also it would be more intermittent with RAM where as this seems to be happening the same each time it boots from the sounds of it. Edited October 22, 2012 by ICTLTD

[ICTLTD]

You are aware that most on-board graphics chipsets steal memory from the main system memory.

 

Rob

Yes, and you would have a bluescreen at some point rather than a consistant video corruption.

As you said it is system ram so you would expect additional system problems.

[twin--turbo]

Yes, and you would have a bluescreen at some point rather than a consistant video corruption.

As you said it is system ram so you would expect additional system problems.

 

The chipset may reserve the last xMB of memory , which would mean that the ram ( especial on a 2 or more stick system) may not be addressed by the O/S for some time. There may also be ram timing issues or other access issues between the GPU and RAM that are not affecting the running of the system.

 

It is however an issue for the vendor to rectify.

 

Rob

[ICTLTD]

I would stick the monitor on another machine and visa versa

If it happens on the machine you changed monitors with, it is the monitor.

 

If the original machine does the same with a new monitor it is the PC.

 

That should be enough Diag to be honest as the fault is intermittent and they presumably don't supply diagnostic software.

[synaesthesia]

It's easy enough to try RAM from another machine... There is no way in hell it's a monitor problem because monitor controllers are not capable of outputting that on their own or misinterpreting what comes from the graphics controller/system in that state. Onboard GPU could of course be faulty - if it's an Intel though, it's highly unlikely to be that. Edited October 22, 2012 by synaesthesia