Some elements of XP rendering darker than normal on my second monitor

[Karabiner]

I recently bought a second monitor for my system. They both ran fine until recently the original started bugging out on me. Now at first i thought it could have been a contrast/brightness problem, but upon adjusting them on the monitor and the PC it made no difference. I then realized that the cursor was rendering at full brightness. On happening to play a video across both monitors, BOTH displayed the image at full brightness, whilst other elements on the affected monitor remained dark. So, i assumed it was a problem with the driver for the GPU.

 

I then switched the monitors over and restarted. this time, the effect was transferred to the new monitor. so i have to assume it's a problem with the DVI port.

 

I got the same effect when i tried another monitor on the DVI. This is really ****ing me off now, as it's completely removed any point of owning that second monitor unless i can fix it.

 

A final note; On startup, the login screen appears fine. Both monitors work perfectly. But a few seconds after login, the screen darkens. So, i suspect it may be a driver/software based problem, rather than hardware itself.

[Karabiner]

Well, you've all been remarkably helpful.

[Jelly Bean]

If you could post the make and model of your gtaphics card and the make and models of your monitors that would help.

[Dalo Harkin]

If its fine at the windows start up then yes it will be the driver software or the configuration of it.

 

What have you used to enable the dual monitors? windows or the ATI or Nvidia driver software?

 

We need more info on the GPU make model etc, at the very least if its ATI or Nvidia

[Karabiner]

Sorry, it slipped my mind to include it.

I'm running a Club3D Geforce 9500, and i'm using the Nvidia control panel to enable multiple monitors. One monitor is an HP L2045W, the other is a Technika Professional 22 inch. Both are 1680x1050.

[Plastic Nev]

Hi, although no expert on graphic cards, you say it is fine at first start up but then goes faulty after a short period of time, I am suspecting a heat issue and wondering if there may be a build up of dust on any cooling heat sinks on the graphics card, won't hurt to have a look and clean any off if there is.

Nev.

[Karabiner]

Hi, although no expert on graphic cards, you say it is fine at first start up but then goes faulty after a short period of time, I am suspecting a heat issue and wondering if there may be a build up of dust on any cooling heat sinks on the graphics card, won't hurt to have a look and clean any off if there is.

Nev.

 

I highly doubt it. I have two outtake fans, above and below the GPU, and i cleaned the whole thing out about a week before this started happening. Add to this i left it running for a while before logging in once to see if it'd overheat; nothing happened until i logged in. It has to be a driver error.

 

EDIT:

The GPU is running at about 47 degrees, which is perfect for my GPU. it's always averaged about that.

Edited September 11, 2010 by Karabiner

[Plastic Nev]

Hi, as I said it was only a thought, but you mention you cleaned it out about a week before it went wrong, I am now thinking perhaps a connection disturbed. Have you tried removing the card and re seating it back into the connection strip on the motherboard? plus checking any other connections near or related to the card?

Ignore me if that has already been tried.

Nev.

[Jelly Bean]

Driving 2 moninitor from 2 outputs of the same video card does not usually mean the images will be identical.

 

What I would suggest is that you change the brightness from the display's own settings.

[Karabiner]

Hi, as I said it was only a thought, but you mention you cleaned it out about a week before it went wrong, I am now thinking perhaps a connection disturbed. Have you tried removing the card and re seating it back into the connection strip on the motherboard? plus checking any other connections near or related to the card?

Ignore me if that has already been tried.

Nev.

 

I've had the whole thing out, cleaned it and reconnected it all and still, nothing.

 

To the person suggesting to adjust the settings on the screen; I have already done so many times. Paying closer attention to my original post, you would see that the effect transfers from monitor to monitor when i switch the connections over, and the monitors work beautifully on other systems. So, it HAS to be something within the PC.

[Dalo Harkin]

Hi you didnt say if the card is a GS or GT so look here on the Nvidia site for the latest drivers Drivers - Download NVIDIA Drivers

 

* Download the drivers to the desktop

* Remove the old display driver from Control panel>add/remove programs

* Restart

* go into C:/ Nvidia and delete all folders

* install the new driver you donloaded

* restart

 

You will then need to reconfigure the displays, if you get the same thing then there is a fault with one of the DVI/VGA ports on the GPU The minimum PSU requirements for a 9500 GT is 350 Watt

 

Let me know how you get on

Edited September 14, 2010 by Dalo Harkin

[RandyL]

Karabiner I'm having trouble not only understanding exactly what the isssue is but also exactly when it manifests itself. Also we seem to be digging for more information. It really would help if you can clarify things more and provide as much information as you can. Is this your card?

 

1. They both worked fine originally and you tested the monitors. If they both worked originally then that seems to rule out a driver issue but just in case have you gone to the Nvidia site to check for updated drivers.

 

2. "On happening to play a video across both monitors....." So is this just when playing videos or all the time?

 

3. You tried switching monitors over and the same DVI port hookup causes the issue. It's unclear if you have tried using just a single monitor on that port and not using the other one.

 

4. I assume the other port is VGA. Is the other port on that card, another or onboard?

 

5. Possible heat issue. You said you cleaned it out a week before this happened but you didn't say how dirty it was or how long it had been since you cleaned it. Perhaps the heat damage was done prior to the cleaning.

 

6. How long has this card been in and have you monitored the temps on a regular basis since the installation?

7. Have you tried the card in a different computer?

8. Your power supply is 300W. You need 350W minimum I believe but you need 550W for SLi. This in itself might be the problem.

 

Anyway I hope the answers to these questions will help all of our members help you. Please be patient as they work for free as their time allows.

[Jelly Bean]

I see your running LOW profile 512 mb for this moment in time.

 

Now let me give you and example of why this is happening.

 

I run two exact same make and model 19 inch Dell wide screen monitors on my computer.

 

Now one port is DVI and one is VGA.

 

Even with two exact same make and model screens the VGA one is always slightly darker then the DVI one.

 

I tried everything I could think of to alter this state.However after speaking to others and trying many diffrent things I came to the conclusion it was just the VGA port and power consumption.

 

I agree with RandyL your power supply is pants.This maybe part of your problem,hence I say could be an issue with power consumption.My issue is not power consumption as I have a 500 watt PSU.

 

ALL hardware degrades over time regaurdless of how well you look after your computer.

 

I see low ended GPU and a lower ended PSU is part of your issue.

 

Buy a GPU with twin DVI.

 

Buy at least a 500 watt PSU.

 

I have never known a low eneded GPU with a DVI port and a VGA port to give the exact same effect on both monitors.There is always a slight diffrence.I just over time didnt notice it anymore.However I would say there was always a diffrence on yours but it was so slight you never noticed it,now your computer has degraded over time the effect is more noticable.,

 

I also see you are using two diffrent monitors.Possible cause.

 

I use exact same make and model and still have issues.

 

Power consumption for the HP monitor is 60 watts on its own.What model number is your Teknika?

 

Add to that all other components that use power,your power supply needs an upgrade and time for a new GPU.

 

You are running a basic HP branded computer,it is a P4 with HT.Low budget computer.

 

Anyone else see what I am seeing?

[Karabiner]

Okay, i am updating the drivers now. I will report back and if there is no change i will look at your other suggestions.

I am certain however that it is NOT a PSU problem. this ran beautifully for a fair while and i can leave it on indefinitely before logging in and the screen does not darken. But once logging in, it darkens. it HAS to be software related.

 

Yes, there is a difference between VGA and DVI, but nothing like this extreme. Please note also that i've just tested both the DVI and VGA ports on a spare monitor. on the VGA it's fine but on the DVI the same LCD darkens after login.

 

Here is a shot of the rig, and the problem. The silver one is connected to the DVI port, and the black one to the VGA.

 

http://i54.tinypic.com/30910g9.jpg

 

in this shot Nvidia was set to CLONE the display, so the same image is displayed on both.

 

i know for a fact it is not the display's settings, because firstly the problem transfers from one monitor to the other depending on which way around i have it connected, and even on maximum brightness and after fiddling with contrast there is very little difference.

[Karabiner]

Oh and another thing; do you SERIOUSLY think i'd stick with this pile of crap if i had the money to upgrade it? i have no income and this is the best card my motherboard can take. i want to get a completely new system but i can't.

[Jelly Bean]

Hey calm down,I have two older HP computers,my baby uses one and the other is in my bedroom.For being lower budget computers they have lasted and the one in my room runs Vista Ultinate 32 bit just fine.I have took very good care of them and have lasted the duration.They have been upgraded and great little runners.

 

All I am saying is hardware even when it is looked after can degrade over time and I think your issue is possibly this.

 

I actualy have the brightness issue even though only slight on my self build computer and not the older HPs.So even with brand new hardware the DVI and VGA connections do make a diffrence wether slight or more noticable.

 

The diffrence in your monitors is very noticable.

 

Can you borrow a dual GPU off a friend and test it in your system?

 

If you can borrow one of similar specs and it shows both monitors on similar brightness then your graphics card is the issue.

 

Another idea I have to test your power consumption is to disconnect any hardware that is not required to boot and run the computer.Remove all USB connected items,speakers,router/modem etc etc.Now once they are removed as all these items can consume power especialy USB connected items,does the monitor picture improve?

 

Simple tricks I know but they can possibly tell us or give us more of a clue.

 

Do both your monitors have factory reset?

 

If yes then try using it,it will take some time to reset the monitors but it is worth a try.

 

I gave an example as in my DVI port runs the monitor great VGA port makes my second monitor a little duller yours is just the other way around.

[Karabiner]

All fixed; it was the drivers as i suspected. Thankyou to all those who gave input.

I do hope to upgrade soon because i know this system is horrible, but it's the best i can do for now =/

[Jelly Bean]

Excellent.

 

Babe we all input with ideas that may help you,some work some dont.

 

:)

 

Gosh I was running an old windows 98 Dell computer and I upgraded it and I loved it.

 

The older HP computers were built to last,as I said I have two and they pritty fast little computers.

 

Glad your back to normal.