Color Randomly Turns Red

[IceSprayerMike]

I currently have a Windows ME operating system. Everything seemed to be fine up until a few days ago when my computer screen just suddenly turned dark red. Eventually, the red color changed back to normal and I was relieved. But, of course with my luck the problem keeps coming back again and again. I thought it may be a result of spyware or a virus, but I just recently deleted all spyware and viruses on my computer and the problem still occurs. Thanks for your time and any help.

[ktkendall]

Most likely is your monitor is going bad, or vid card is going. Try that monitor on another PC, and or another monitor on your PC.

[juppy]

I agree with ktkendall.....it's likely the monitor, especially if its a CRT type. The color guns (red, green, & blue) only last so long and when they start to fail, your color goes whacky. Most of the time you start to loose a color. For instance, if the red gun gets weak and doesn't put out as much red as it should, the reds on the screen will get dimmer or totally disappear eventually. However, it CAN go the other way. Sometimes the guns fail and basically "lock" open 100%, so they're displaying way too much color as opposed to what's called for to make the picture. So yeah, if this is a CRT, you've likely got a red gun inside your monitor getting ready to give up the ghost. Try another monitor if you've got access to one and see if the problem goes away. If this is an LCD, I'm not sure what would cause it, because they don't display the colors the same way as a CRT does.

[IceSprayerMike]

Thanks a lot guys. I think it probably is the monitor because it is a CRT type and it is probably about six years old. I was just wondering though, how could I check out my video card to make sure that it's not that problem. Thanks again.

[Kareeser]

You could attach a monitor from another computer, and work on it for awhile. If the problem doesn't show up again, then it is definately the monitor.

I had a similar problem... The blue gun failed, and the screen showed a healthy dose of yellow. :)

[glc]

It might just be a loose or dirty connection on the cable where it attaches to the video card. Unscrew it, remove it, reseat it, and screw it back down again.

[Mesaeus]

It can also be a loose/broken connection inside the cable itself. I've seen quite a few examples where one color falls away/comes back when manipulating the cable. Excessive red could mean that both green and blue get disconnected leaving only red to get through. Most problems seem to originate with the part of the cable that gets pushed in a sharp (90 degrees or more) angle against a wall, this seems to be almost guaranteed to make sure you get color problems after a few years of the cable being pressed like that. I now make sure I only buy crt screens with a detachable vga cable, so I can replace it if something happens to the cable. Try manipulating the cable, especially near where it would have made a sharp angle for the past few years. If you can cause it by twisting the cable there, that's where the problem is.

[IceSprayerMike]

I don't know if this means anything, but something else just happened. Just a few minutes ago, my color was fine and suddenly red lines appeared across the screen, then disappeared after about a second.

[kstatefan40]

I would definately check your video card. The easiest way to do this is if you have another PCI one to test it with.

Could we get your system specs, please?

Also, if you have another computer open, try and switch the monitors to find the solution.

[IceSprayerMike]

Windows Me
Version 4.90.3000 Build 3000
Model L866r
Pentium III Processor Intel 864 Mhz
319 MB RAM

[GaryRouth]

Here's a little list of known-good parts to try swapping (mentioned already in the above posts, but hey I like lists) ---

1) monitor
2) monitor cable
3) video card

That's the order I'd try them in, from the most likely to the least.
. . . Gary

[ktkendall]

Yes but if its a crt monitor, the cable is not removable, cause the end at the monitor is hardwired into the monitor. I actually lost all my red one time after putting in a new processor and more memory, so of course I assumed the new processor was bad. Turns out a pin broke off and stayed stuck in the female part on the vid card, ended up replacing vid card and monitor.

[GaryRouth]

[. . . Ouch! kt - that was a pretty expensive little pin, wasn't it? . . . ]

[edfair]

If this is an expansion card, (video plugs in on a different plane than the motherboard) be aware that some types of video cards are particularly bad about heat cycling themselves part way out of the expansion slot and creating issues like this.
One of the suggestions generally made is to check that the video card is fully plugged into the expanison slot. Requires you to open the case and push the tail of the card down into the slot. Have power unplugged and one hand on the case frame when you do it.

[ktkendall]

[. . . Ouch! kt - that was a pretty expensive little pin, wasn't it? . . . ]

Yes it was, this was the Pentium days and the new vid card I put in to replace the 1meg onboard graphics had a whopping 4 meg vid ram, and was probably 100 and probably 200 for a 17" crt back then. Of course I really didn't mind, because the performance boost was great, but wifey was not too happy.

[IceSprayerMike]

Thanks for the help everyone. You all helped me out very much. I ended up borrowing a friends old monitor and trying it on my computer, and turns out that was the problem. Thanks again for all of your time and help.