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When i try to watch a video either on the net or from my own cds my computer screen starts to blink on and off. Im thinking its my graphic card but not sure. I think my graphic card is on the blink literally. Dont suppose anyone has had this before?:sad:

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Dani AI

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Short, practical follow-up that complements 's hardware checklist.

If the blink happens only during video playback, it is often a software/renderer/codec conflict rather than a failing card or monitor. Try these targeted checks to isolate the cause quickly:

  • Test the same file in a self-contained player (for example, a player that bundles its own codecs). If it plays fine there, suspect codec/filters used by your default player.
  • Disable hardware/video acceleration in the media player and in your browser (look under the player settings or browser advanced/system settings). Hardware-acceleration vs. the video driver is a common source of flashes.
  • Switch the video renderer (where the player exposes that option) between overlay/VMR/EVR or use a different output module; a different renderer often avoids buggy overlays.
  • Remove or disable third-party codec packs and DirectShow filters (they can inject a bad filter that only shows up during certain playback). Use a file-identification tool to confirm the codecs a file actually uses.
  • Run the DirectX diagnostic (dxdiag) and check Windows Event Viewer for display-driver crashes or messages like "display driver stopped responding"; if you see repeated driver resets, try rolling back to a previous GPU driver version.
  • Monitor GPU temperatures and fan speeds while playing video; sustained high temps or a failing fan can also cause flicker when the GPU changes power states.

If none of the software checks help, return to the hardware tests suggested (monitor/cable/GPU swap). If the problem disappears after changing a player, renderer, or disabling acceleration, the permanent fix is usually updating or replacing the offending codec/renderer or keeping hardware acceleration off until the driver/player gets updated.

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Member Avatar for DMR

That can be caused by a fault in either the video card or the monitor; we'll need to narrow thing down a bit. Try the following troubleshooting steps and give us the full and exact details of the results:

* If possible, connect a different (know-to-be-working) monitor. Does the problem still occur?

* Connect the suspect monitor to a different computer. Does the monitor still blink/flash?

* Check the VGA connector(s) at the end(s) of the monitor cable. Do you see any bent/broken pins? Does the monitor cable look severely bent/kinked or damaged in any other way? Try a different cable if possible.

* Boot Windows in to Safe Mode; this forces Windows to use its own generic VGA video driver. Does the problem still occur? (You get to the safe mode boot option by hitting the F8 key as your computer is starting up.)

* Upgrade/uninstall/reinstall your video card's drivers.

* Open the computer's case; make sure your graphics card and othr components are fully and properly seated in their slots, verify that all fans are working, and that the interior of the computer is free of dust/dirt/etc.

Member Avatar for GREENHOUSE

i thought it was my tv and video card too but it turned out i just had to update my windows media player. I couldnt believe that all i needed was a media player update.

Member Avatar for DMR

So it was only happening when you used WMP? Silly Rabbit, why didn't you say that in the first place? :mrgreen:

Glad you got it figured out.

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