[SOLVED] PNY NVIDIA GeForce GT 240 Pixels on Screen Problem

6586 Views 18 Replies 2 Participants Last post by Burnley, Aug 8, 2010

Burnley

Discussion Starter · Jul 6, 2010 (Edited)

I have this graphics card for just under a year but have always had an issue with it. It's not really bothered me until now.

I always seem to have pixels showing up on my display, and nearly always in games but some games are worse than others. The games and computer run fine but it's just annoying.

I've updated the graphics card drivers from Nvidia but still the problem persists.

I've just installed Windows 7 64 and before I installed the graphics card drivers, all seemed nice and clear on the desktop. Installing the driver for the card and the pixels appear again, sometime only a few, but most times quite a lot. I can still read and do what I need to do though. I was running on Vista and like I do now, kept everything up-to-date.

Using the on-board graphics (Which is no good for me as I do a lot of gaming), the display is fine.

I've tested the monitor on other PC's (Laptop and a desktop) and all is well with it.

Would welcome some suggestions. I purchased the card from PC World in the UK but don't think I have the box anymore. I will have proof of the purchase hidden amongst bank statements.

Link to product: http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/pny-n...s-card-04121855-pdt.html?srcid=867&xtor=AL-50

I've attached a screenshot of me installing the driver for the card. As I screenshotted, pixles were appearing, moving and what not in the top right. However, I don't think they show on this screenshot.

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koala

· #2 · Jul 7, 2010

Re: PNY NVIDIA GeForce GT 240 Pixels on Screen Problem

Hi, welcome to TSF

Flickering pixels, vertical lines and other random artifacts are caused by problems with heat or lack of power. If you've upgraded to a GT240 from onboard without upgrading the power supply unit, then the PSU is the first thing to check.

Remove the side panel from your case and post back with the details from the PSU label. If the PSU is too weak for your graphics card, it can damage the card's memory which creates these artifacts.

Carefully remove the graphics card from the motherboard, clean the gold fingers with an eraser and blow out any dust, then reseat the card. Make sure all fans are clean and spinning.

Also, post back with the temperatures and voltages from BIOS.

Burnley

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 7, 2010 (Edited)

Re: PNY NVIDIA GeForce GT 240 Pixels on Screen Problem

Hi and thanks koala.

Details of the PSU

Win Power Switching Power Supply
Total Output 650w MAX

Motherboard

A S Rock G31M-S
FSB 1600
DDR2 800
Dual Channel

Processor

Pentium Dual-Core CPU E5400 @ 2.70GHz 2.69GHz

Memory

2 x OCZ
PC2 6400
2GB Dual Ch
Reaper Series
4-4-4

Temperatures from BIOS

CPU Temp: 36°C
M/B Temp: 29°C
CPU Fan Speed: 1721 RPM
Chassis Fan Speed: 1467 RPM

Vcore 1.296v
+3.30v 3.360v
+5.00v 5.184v
+12.00v 12.408v

According to this http://www3.pny.com/GT-240-512MB-GDDR5-PCIe-P2858C431.aspx my power supply should be more than good enough. I've tried cleaning the card and checking the PCI-E slot but still the problem persists. It's only when I install the NVIDIA drivers however, if I uninstall their software the card works, but not at full spec obviously.

koala

· #4 · Jul 7, 2010 (Edited)

Re: PNY NVIDIA GeForce GT 240 Pixels on Screen Problem

The GT240 takes its power from the PCIE slot (less than 75W), but your +12V is quite high at 12.4V in BIOS. Check the temps (including GPU) and volts while playing a fullscreen game so we can see the stressed performance.

When you're trying new drivers, do you uninstall the current one, reboot, and disable Avast antivirus before installing the new driver?

Have you tried any older versions?

195.62 (Win7-64-UK, Nov'09): http://www.nvidia.co.uk/object/win7_winvista_64bit_195.62_whql_uk.html
196.21 (Win7-64-UK, Jan'10): http://www.nvidia.co.uk/object/win7_winvista_64bit_196.21_whql_uk.html
197.45 (Win7-64-UK, April'10): http://www.nvidia.co.uk/object/win7_winvista_64bit_197.45_whql_uk.html
257.21 (Win7-64-UK, June'10): http://www.nvidia.co.uk/object/win7-winvista-64bit-257.21-whql-driver-uk.html

Please post a screenshot from a fullscreen game that shows the artifacts more clearly.

Are your chipset drivers up to date?

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Burnley

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 7, 2010

Re: PNY NVIDIA GeForce GT 240 Pixels on Screen Problem

I've not tried any older versions at the moment. When I installed Windows in the past, the first thing I do is install my graphics software so nothing else could have caused issues. I was just re-installing there to see if anything improved at all.

I uninstall, reboot and reinstall normally.

Chipsets? Do I need to visit the motherboard manufacturers website and download anything?

Burnley

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jul 7, 2010

Re: PNY NVIDIA GeForce GT 240 Pixels on Screen Problem

In fact yes I have used older versions of the software, as I remember in the past downloading drivers again trying to fix the issues. I got the card last year i'm sure.

How can I display the temps and volts whilst playing a game?

koala

· #7 · Jul 7, 2010

Re: PNY NVIDIA GeForce GT 240 Pixels on Screen Problem

Yes, the motherboard website will have the chipset drivers that you need. This is the first thing you should do before installing any other device drivers.

Use a system monitor like Everest or SIW to see the temps and voltages. If they don't show the graphics temperature, use GPU-Z.

Burnley

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jul 7, 2010

2

Re: PNY NVIDIA GeForce GT 240 Pixels on Screen Problem

Here's screenshots of before running a game, and during the game running.

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Burnley

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jul 7, 2010 (Edited)

2

Re: PNY NVIDIA GeForce GT 240 Pixels on Screen Problem

Here's a screenshot from the game

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koala

· #10 · Jul 7, 2010

Re: PNY NVIDIA GeForce GT 240 Pixels on Screen Problem

Your graphics temperature is ok at 53C. The CPU is quite hot at 59C, but not in the danger zone. Have you got the +12V reading from SIW or Everest?

As you've had the card for less than 12 months, PC World are usually very good about replacing if you have proof of purchase, but they'll want to keep it for a few days for testing. Tell them you've had this problem from day one, the drivers are up to date and the PSU is suitable.

Burnley

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jul 7, 2010

Re: PNY NVIDIA GeForce GT 240 Pixels on Screen Problem

Not sure how to get the +12v reading to be honest, lol

Burnley

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jul 7, 2010

Re: PNY NVIDIA GeForce GT 240 Pixels on Screen Problem

Think this is what your after:

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Burnley

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jul 7, 2010

Re: PNY NVIDIA GeForce GT 240 Pixels on Screen Problem

koala said:
Your graphics temperature is ok at 53C. The CPU is quite hot at 59C, but not in the danger zone. Have you got the +12V reading from SIW or Everest?

As you've had the card for less than 12 months, PC World are usually very good about replacing if you have proof of purchase, but they'll want to keep it for a few days for testing. Tell them you've had this problem from day one, the drivers are up to date and the PSU is suitable.

Yes going to get the bank statement showing the payment as i've no idea where the receipt is and ask them to test or replace. I take it the card is fine for my PC then?

Thanks so much for your assistance on this matter by the way. Excellent site and great help.

koala

· #14 · Jul 7, 2010

Re: PNY NVIDIA GeForce GT 240 Pixels on Screen Problem

The +12V in BIOS is 12.4V, and in Windows it drops to 11.7V. That's quite a big difference for a card that doesn't require much power. With a good quality PSU, you would expect to see the +12V fluctuate around the 11.9-12.1V region. See if it drops any further while playing a fullscreen game.

Burnley

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jul 7, 2010

Re: PNY NVIDIA GeForce GT 240 Pixels on Screen Problem

Is there a way of having the voltage display show whilst in the game, as I had to use the Windows key?

I will reply later tonight, I can't believe how time has flown!

koala

· #16 · Jul 7, 2010

Re: PNY NVIDIA GeForce GT 240 Pixels on Screen Problem

I usually hit alt-tab to exit the game back to the desktop, and then take a screenshot of the readings quickly. The values start reverting back to normal within seconds of exiting fullscreen mode. I don't think you can show the readings in the game, but you can set it to record a graph and show the minimum, average and maximum values.

If you're going to replace the card, see about getting an ATI. They're better value for money at the moment, so you'll get a better quality card for the same kind of price as a GT240.

I'm logging off soon. Back tomorrow. :smile:

Burnley

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jul 16, 2010

Re: PNY NVIDIA GeForce GT 240 Pixels on Screen Problem

Just to give you an update. Tried the card on a friends PC and still the same problem. Will be returning the card to PC World this evening after speaking to them on the telephone.

Thanks for all the help with this, i'm glad we tried everything to see if it was my PC.

I've used ATI before and my friend is using the same, so I will probably go ATI this time round.

koala

· #18 · Jul 16, 2010

Re: PNY NVIDIA GeForce GT 240 Pixels on Screen Problem

Thanks for the update. Let us know how it goes with the new card.

Burnley

Discussion Starter · #19 · Aug 8, 2010

Re: PNY NVIDIA GeForce GT 240 Pixels on Screen Problem

koala said:
Thanks for the update. Let us know how it goes with the new card.

PC World swopped the card and glad to say the new one which is the exact same model but with an upgrade (A newer version was released soon after apparently according to the guy on the desk) is working fine.

All I needed was the card, and a printed statement showing the card payment. I had thrown the box, etc...

Thanks for the help and apologies for the delay in getting back to you.

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