flickering monitor

[Stargem]

undefinedundefinedundefinedGreetings everyone, I'm having a sporatic problem with my monitor flickering. It doesn't do it all the time, so far it's only when I play either Sims 2 or EQ 2. Someone advised me to check the refresh rate on the games vs the refresh rate on my computer. I have a nvida (sp?) 5700, my refresh rate has always been set at 60 but when I went in to check it the other day it says default is 100. I don't think my system is overclocked....I'm not that much into hardware and don't mess with that stuff. It's a Gateway, maxed on RAM at 512. So my question is...is this a graphic card problem or is my monitor going...oh yeah...monitor is about 2-3 yrs old, graphic card about 6 months old.

[technobeast]

Hi and welcome to the boards.

I guess your monitor is not going, your video card either. It's just a refresh rate problem as your friends have adviced you. Rightclick anywhere on the desktop and choose Properties. Then go to Settings Tab and select Advanced button. Somewhere in the tabs you should find Monitor modes settings (depends on your current video card drivers). And for each resolution you can choose the refresh rate. The higher the better. With 100Hz it couldn't blink (the monitor) so I guess it's the 60Hz that annoys you. It happens in many games. Probably what's needed is to state that 1024x768 resolution could be used with 100/85 Hz only (delete 60Hz mode). Or another idea if you haven't installed any video drivers - http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=381 . This is the NV Refresh rate fix for old NVidia drivers (including the ones built-in Windows XP).

Good luck

[Stargem]

tecnobeast, sorry it took a while to get back, thanks for the info, checking out the link and the only other thing I can think of is a heat problem. As stated before this only happens when I play EQ2 and the Sims2. I changed the refresh rate on the sims but it could only be bumped up to 75 and EQ2 is a syncronized refresh rate. One thing I have noticed since I posted, the only time this seems to happen is when my computer has been on all day...which is most of the time...*GRIN*. Another thing I noticed with EQ2 if I go to windows mode the flickering stops...don't know if this may mean anything or not...

Thanks again for your help

[technobeast]

So there's not flickering when you just turn on the PC (monitor) and start the game? Sounds strange and could be monitor problem.
But if it doesn't flicker in Windowed mode it sure sounds like games setting up their own resolution and always bringing back the refresh rate to 60Hz

Here's a screenshot of how this could be settled through the official NVidia drivers and not other applications (taken atm from my Windows PC). RightClick on Desktop->Properties->Settings->Advanced
Have you installed NVidia drivers or used the WIndows ones? Windows default drivers do not have such advanced settings.
Good luck

[Stargem]

Yes, I have Nvida drivers installed and yes my settings look like yours...with all this my mind keeps going back to heat....Next thing I'm going to do is get two things...one of those little computer vaccum cleaners and a clip on fan that I can clip on the leg of my desk and aim at the computer...if that doesn't work then I am totally stumped...also posting on the tech sections of the game forums...see if I get any ideas from their people....thanks again so much technobeast. I'll let you know what/if they say anything other than what we've discussed

[greffov]

are there any speakers or other magnetical devices close to your monitor?