Degrading Vido quality

[not important]

A friend emailed me that his video quality degrades as he uses his PC. Seems fine when first powered up. His description "Seems like oil on water" which I assume to mean, distorted.
He has changed his Video card, monitor and cable, Tried Analog and DVI connections.
2.0 GHz P-4 Asus P4PE Motherboard, 1 GB of RAM which I "believe" is in a Dell PC.

[TwoRails]

Quite often when video degrades as the system is on for a while is a good sign that the monitor is going funny. See if he's tried another monitor.

[not important]

He has changed Video card (new one), Monitor and cable.
I was thinking about the PSU and asked him what brand and size it was. It has a L&C brand 350W PSU.
Could the PSU be a possible cause of his problem?

[TwoRails]

Sorry, not important, I'm tired. I *read* monitor cable, not monitor and cable. Ops :o

I don't think off had a PS will do that, but you could have him monitor voltages.

[not important]

I'll tell him to monitor his voltages.

[TwoRails]

Also, has he checked the cooling and temps in general? I'd think I'd look there first.

[Alaron]

He would be wise to change that PSU on principal. L&C units are terrible quality.

[blue60007]

Maybe by "oil on water" he meant the screen has a rainbow effect going on...? I've seen this when you put a magnet near a CRT monitor. Would it be possible there is some electromagnetic interference (EMI) going on? Make sure there aren't any speakers nearby or even try the system in another room.

[glc]

L&C PSU's are so bad that's the FIRST thing I would try.

[not important]

I told him what was said about the power supply. He is going to call the place that built the PC on Tuesday and inquire about the PSU. I'm quite sure they will tell him it is fine. LOL

[Hi Ho]

While replacing the power supply is a very good idea, I think Blue is on to something. From what you are describing, it sounds like there is a magnet too close to the monitor. In the menu there should be a degauss option. Tell him to try that and see if it makes any difference.

[glc]

Any place that builds with L&C power supplies is very likely going to be using other substandard components too - he may have a continuing headache on his hands. It's tough for independent builders to compete with the Dells of the world, in order to be price competitive they HAVE to use junk - and computer purchasers care more about price than quality, right?