Page 1 of 1

Funky Computer Background

Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2004 6:54 pm
by Zorth
Hey all,

I'm using Windows XP Home Edition. Now, this problem started a while back. I have my background color set to be black. Yet it is a dark red. The ONLY time it turns black is when I go to Start->Turn Off Computer, and let it sit for about 3 seconds and it slowly fades to the black color. If I cancel out of the Turn Off Computer option, it turns back to red instantly.

Any ideas?

Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2004 6:57 pm
by tim
have you updated any drivers for your video card?

Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2004 8:52 pm
by Zorth
Not recently, no. I really don't know where to go to do it.

Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2004 5:59 am
by no_memories
Sounds like the video card is not getting enough juice and/or has been damaged in some way. Probably because of static electricity. Video cards are very very sensitive to electrical surges of any kind. They can even blow your monitor if they are not functioning properly.

But try updating your drivers.

Since you don't know what to do, try window update first. It usually auto detects what video card you have and recommends what drivers to install.

Or you can go into the control panel and double click the display icon. Click settings, then advanced. There you will see a series of tabs to show what video card you are using (Usually Nvidia or ATI). Go to the corresponding video card's website and download the latest drivers following the install instructions.

Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 5:07 pm
by Zorth
I updated my driver. Still no fix. Does that mean the video card is fried? If so, there is no way to self repair it?

Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 5:23 pm
by feyd
The card could be having problems, the monitor, or the monitor's cable.. Additionally, certain cards near the video card could be radiating energy into the graphics pipe.. although fairly rare these days, it does happen with the higher power cards..

Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 5:34 pm
by Zorth
Actually, I changed the background to NOTHING, and it changes back to black. So it is working fine now. However, it DID change when my damn computer was making noises like my fan got busted, so, yet again, the card could be having some unknown problems. But until it bothers me again, I'll leave it be.

Thanks for the help, getting the card driver updated should help.

Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 11:36 am
by Grim...
When you go for 'shut down' or whatever on XP the whole screen fades into black and white, so if the red screen went to black it meant that nothing was wrong with the PC, Vid card, monitor or cable.

Sure you didn't set it dark red? ;)