My graphics have gone all funny !!!!!

ianonline

Yep, for no apparent reason my computer doesn't display graphics properly any more - it was fine one minute, but now when I look at photos on my computer or online, the colours are all "blotchy" and distorted !!!!!:mad:

It's the same with video - if I view Youtube clips, they look like you're viewing them through a thermal imaging camera.

I haven't changed any display settings to cause this, and I've done a scan with Spybot to check that I haven't picked up any sort of nasties.

I'm guessing the problem must be a hardware failure - I just have basic on-board (shared) graphics, so I'm thinking of trying to pick up a cheap graphics card on eBay to see if that solves the problem, unless anyone has any other suggestions.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Ian :cool:

banger9365

unistall and reinstall graphic card driver it mite help

ianonline

banger9365 wrote: »

unistall and reinstall graphic card driver it mite help

Yeah, I've tried re-installing the display driver, but no joy.
I've also tried UPDATING the driver (via Windows) but it says there is no updated driver available.:doh:
I'm not too confident about messing with too many settings in case I do even more damage (although I have started creating regular restore points with Windows XP, just in case.);)

I'm no expert when it comes to technical computer stuff, but I'm fairly certain the problem must be hardware-related. :wall:

Ian :cool:

marleyboy

have you tried increasing your graphics settings in display panel. If that doesnt work...time for a new graphics card im afraid.

ianonline

marleyboy wrote: »

...time for a new graphics card im afraid.

Actually, I'm thinking it may be time for a new PC !!!

My computer has just completely died on me and re-booted itself. It's happened a few times over the past few months but I flashed my BIOS software earlier today (after I discovered my graphics weren't working properly) and discovered the latest revision was supposed to "Fix system hanging caused by unstable voltage given from certain power supplys". I assumed this would solve problem number 1, but apparently not !!!!

I think my problem with the graphics (problem number 2) may be the final nail in the coffin - I'm off to do a major backup just in case. :eek:

Ian :cool:

banger9365

it mite not be the gpu put the codecs(little programs that play pic,movie,mp4 ect.basicly),blotchy,distorted,like a thermal imaging camera see this before on mine, every thing else works ok with the graphics card(desktop ect looks ok)
try this http://www.codecguide.com/download_kl.htm download it and install ,it's a codec pack for playing thing like xvid,avi,ect well them you see on sites like youtube and it's safe
i think after reading your post again it not your graphic card put the little program's that play things (codecs)

Dave_S.

It could also be worth opening the case up, unplugging the graphics card, blow out any dust in there, etc., and slot the card firmly back in place.
My card is sitting very loosely in the slot, and it sometimes gets knocked out, causing:
a - the smell of burning, and a big 'ZAP!' sound...
b - my PC to die...

So, just make sure the card's firmly slotted in the case itself.
Not likely to be a culprit in all honesty, but, worth a shot!

banger9365

basic on-board (shared) graphics

ianonline

banger9365 wrote: »

it mite not be the gpu put the codecs(little programs that play pic,movie,mp4 ect.basicly),blotchy,distorted,like a thermal imaging camera see this before on mine, every thing else works ok with the graphics card(desktop ect looks ok)
try this http://www.codecguide.com/download_kl.htm download it and install ,it's a codec pack for playing thing like xvid,avi,ect well them you see on sites like youtube and it's safe
i think after reading your post again it not your graphic card put the little program's that play things (codecs)

My initial thought with any video problem would always be codecs, but as my problem is also with still images then that would rule out a codec issue, I'd imagine.

Also, I've tried playing video clips that I have saved on my PC which played fine in the past but not now, so again this rules out codec issues as this would only affect any new clips which might have been encoded with more recent codecs.

Ian :cool:

ianonline

Dave_S. wrote: »

It could also be worth opening the case up, unplugging the graphics card, blow out any dust in there, etc., and slot the card firmly back in place.
My card is sitting very loosely in the slot, and it sometimes gets knocked out, causing:
a - the smell of burning, and a big 'ZAP!' sound...
b - my PC to die...

So, just make sure the card's firmly slotted in the case itself.
Not likely to be a culprit in all honesty, but, worth a shot!

As Banger has said - I have integrated graphics (no separate graphics card).

Ian :cool:

banger9365

well if every thing work right on your pc video clipps,games ect .you say still pics is that on the net or pc ?
new vid clipps on net not working right try different browser firefox,opra,IE
i am not convinced it the graphic card not if every thing else is working right graphic wise on pc and it my bed time