not a normal problem! need help please

[GroundZero3]

Okay i have been fixing my neighbors comp and today they came over and asked me to help. I have never seen this type of problem on a computer before. All the words are replaced with vertical lines. when i look at the start menu all the words are normal but when i run the mouse over them they turn into vertical lines. i asked if they have installed anything on here and they said the upgrade for real player. its windows se
64 mb of RAM
its an old Sears motherboard with on board video

any clues or ideas would help

JaYsin

[CMonster]

This is a looong shot, I doubt that this even applies in this case;

I have seen that problem before, only once, and it was caused (in that case) by having a certain option checked in a software package called "CPU Control Panel" by Powerleap.

[TechJumper]

Hey guys,

someone told me to look for this thread, but I couldn't find it, I was looking in technical support, I think that is where this should be. Anywho- is it possible that the mouse trailing properties are out of wack? Try booting in safe mode and turning off mouse trailing all together. If that doesn't work the only other viable diagnosis would be the outdated motherboard. Perharps Real Player couldn't code with the pre-installed drivers becuase they were out of date. By the way, what type of monitor is it?


TechJumper

[Rikkie]

I had a problem with the Icons on my desktop.
I just re-installed Windows98SE over the old one and the problem was solved.

Good luck

[Rikkie]

I checked the specs of the board you mentioned. The mobo should work fine.

[GroundZero3]

n/m guys i got it working. i booted into safemode then for some reason i went directly into the display panel. i set the refresh rate to using the normal adapter. and presto it worked.

Thanxs everyone

JaYsin

i have another question. i have my refresh rate at 60 hertz. what do the refresh rate do and what would happen if i set it to 75 or 80?? i have a vodoo 3 3000



[This message has been edited by GroundZero3 (edited 11-05-2000).]

[Scot_t]

Groundzero your refresh rate depends on what
your monitor can support/and card ,check for the specs on each and choose the highest it can go.Higher refresh=lower eyestrain (you've
probably seen a monitor before with a low refresh and you can see how it looks like its blinking)Does any1 know if u can bust your monitor by setting it beyond specs?

[BFlurie]

It's how many times a second the screen refreshes (redrawn) vertically. If you set it above what the video card/monitor can support, you'll see just the things you described. There's usually a recommended "range" for a particular monitor had from the monitor's .inf file -- mine's 56-60Hz w/my oldie but goody. At 56 I can barely see the screen "blinking", which is very strainful on the eyes. At 60 I can't see that (unless I look away from the screen). Most newer monitors support refresh rates quite a bit higher than 60 (faster performance).

Yup, you can burn it out w/rates too high -- mine has a corrupted display & also a high-pitched sound when set too high.

[This message has been edited by BFlurie (edited 11-05-2000).]

[Techie Dude]

Evenin`

The refresh rate is the rate at which you computer send the signal to the monitor. The higher the rate, the better the picture. Setting it above 60hz will give you a less flickery picture, and in some cases a clearer picture. I run my monitor in 1280x1024 @ 85hz on a Voodoo 3. The picture is perfect and rock steady. If I change back to 60hz, it appears flickery. To be honest, once you get used to a rate, you don`t notice too much.

They say that you can damage your monitor if you try and run it at above the recommended hz rating. Personally, I`ve tried it on many monitors, and nothing has ever gone wrong. If it`s wrong, you`ll soon know, and windows will change back to the other hz rating after 15 seconds anyway (providing you don`t do anything while it`s doing this).

If you monitor is listed in display panel by name (ie, you`ve got a proper driver for it) then you can set your graphics card to the optimal setting, which will set you monitor to the highest hz rating automatically. This way, windows wil not set the hz rating too high for your monitor, making it a safe option.

Good luck!

[Richard_Cranium72]

Since you have the VooDoo ,, I'd set it at "adaptor default" , unless you're using a real old monitor it outta be OK.

I find the easiest way to get there is right click on the desktop page and go to properties, I also don't use "active desktop"

my .02
DrVette

[GroundZero3]

Alright guys im fed up the computer is doing it all over again. i think the problem is the drivers on the video card. i deleted the drivers that was on it and let windows instal the old ones. it works until it applys the driver back on to the comp.

it happens when i go and try to make it 600x800 and at least 256 colors. i can get 640x480 with 16 color but the color sucks and the screen is to big.

JaYsin

[OPPAINTER]

Why dodnt you try going here and downloading the latest drive, then change the display driver to standard VGA, reboot and then load your new driver program.

http://www.voodoosource.net/vsnet/drivers.html

[GroundZero3]

kind of curious. Why would i want to install vodoo onto a sears computer with on board memory????

JaYsin

[OPPAINTER]

Sorry thought I read someware that you had a VooDoo 3 card, My mistake

[JayMan]

Oppainter, Ground does have a voodoo3, he wanted to know what the set refresh rate at. But the problem with drivers he is havin is to do with his neighbours computer. And unfortunatly i have no idea what would cause it, have you tried looking for the latest drivers from the maker of their video card/chipset???

JayMan

[socalgal]

Moved to Tech Forum.

[BFlurie]

Ground, sounds like it simply defaulted to the generic VGA adapter -- that's Winder's fail-safe when no compatible driver can be found.