Video Distorts while playing games. Lines, triangles, distortion

Mark Anderson · 09-07-2007, 06:48 PM

My system is XP Professional, Radeon 9800 xt ati video card. I am trying to play command and conquer zero hour and when the game starts from the beginning the video is distorted, lines, triangles, flashing colors. I hear it may be the ram of the video card? The last time it ran fine was prior to installing 66 windows updates. This should have nothing to do with it but... I tried to restore to earlier point but the computer does not want to restore to an earlier point prior to the updates.

advice anyone or is it time to get another video card?

GeneralGuderian · 09-07-2007, 11:27 PM

This sounds like artifact. Depending on how old that card is and how heavy its used you may have a memory leak. Also make sure you have the newest drivers. Try drivers first, if that doesn't work, let us know.

Mark Anderson · 09-08-2007, 03:17 PM

I installed the new drivers, and it comes up with need directx 8.1 or higher and you need to make sure your video card meets the minimum requirements. I tried other games, and nothing will play. I verified and reinstalled directx 9.0 like 4 four times and nothing. I verified all setting on the video card was the same as always.

Mark Anderson · 09-08-2007, 08:03 PM

I removed old driver and installed a newer driver. It will now load games and does not say the message of need directx 8.1 or higher. The original problem exists; distortion, lines, triangles. I was adjusting all settings and noticed that my 3D settings will not adjust properly to have a clear sample video. I am now thinking it has something to do with the 3D side of my video card. Would this be a correct assumption? Or is there something else I can try in order to fix the problem?

Mark Anderson · 09-11-2007, 05:27 PM

Any Ideas?

ebackhus · 09-11-2007, 06:26 PM

Open the PC up and remove the card. Check that the fan can be turned and that the heatsink is clean of dust. Plug it back in and watch to see that the fan is spinning fast. You can also use ATItools to underclock the card so heat will be reduced. If you still run into artifacts then the card will likely require replacement.

09-07-2007, 06:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mark Anderson Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 5 OS: xp	Video Distorts while playing games. Lines, triangles, distortion My system is XP Professional, Radeon 9800 xt ati video card. I am trying to play command and conquer zero hour and when the game starts from the beginning the video is distorted, lines, triangles, flashing colors. I hear it may be the ram of the video card? The last time it ran fine was prior to installing 66 windows updates. This should have nothing to do with it but... I tried to restore to earlier point but the computer does not want to restore to an earlier point prior to the updates. advice anyone or is it time to get another video card?

09-07-2007, 11:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
GeneralGuderian Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 26 OS: Vista Home My System	Re: Video Distorts while playing games. Lines, triangles, distortion This sounds like artifact. Depending on how old that card is and how heavy its used you may have a memory leak. Also make sure you have the newest drivers. Try drivers first, if that doesn't work, let us know.

09-08-2007, 03:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mark Anderson Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 5 OS: xp	Re: Video Distorts while playing games. Lines, triangles, distortion I installed the new drivers, and it comes up with need directx 8.1 or higher and you need to make sure your video card meets the minimum requirements. I tried other games, and nothing will play. I verified and reinstalled directx 9.0 like 4 four times and nothing. I verified all setting on the video card was the same as always.

09-08-2007, 08:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
Mark Anderson Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 5 OS: xp	Re: Video Distorts while playing games. Lines, triangles, distortion I removed old driver and installed a newer driver. It will now load games and does not say the message of need directx 8.1 or higher. The original problem exists; distortion, lines, triangles. I was adjusting all settings and noticed that my 3D settings will not adjust properly to have a clear sample video. I am now thinking it has something to do with the 3D side of my video card. Would this be a correct assumption? Or is there something else I can try in order to fix the problem?

09-11-2007, 05:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mark Anderson Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 5 OS: xp	Re: Video Distorts while playing games. Lines, triangles, distortion Any Ideas?

09-11-2007, 06:26 PM	#6 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,243 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Re: Video Distorts while playing games. Lines, triangles, distortion Open the PC up and remove the card. Check that the fan can be turned and that the heatsink is clean of dust. Plug it back in and watch to see that the fan is spinning fast. You can also use ATItools to underclock the card so heat will be reduced. If you still run into artifacts then the card will likely require replacement. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.