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Corrupt Graphics & Crazy Colors in XP

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by ClickRight, 2008/09/20.

  1. 2008/09/20
    ClickRight

    ClickRight Inactive Thread Starter

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    I had a customer come to me with a computer with a bit of spyware on it. They also informed me that the screen was displaying strange colors and was distorted in some places. I removed the spyware, but the display issue remains. It only seems to appear in Windows Explorer, the security centre, and in IE. I have updated the graphics drivers, changed graphics cards from the original AGP card to the onboard card, to a PCI card. I have run sfc /scannow in case any files were out of order. I have swapped out RAM, the power supply, I have even gone as far as to do a clean install of XP SP3 on a new hard drive, all with the same issue.

    I am beginning to believe this is a hardware issue, however I am doubting it for the following reasons:

    • The problem only occurs when XP is running
    • The problem only occurs *on specific screens*
    • The BIOS, boot splash screen, etc is normal
    • Running Ultimate Boot CD 4 Windows (Windows PE) everything looks fine
    • Aside from this issue, the system is stable and works great

    The machine is a Compaq 3100NX
    Any ideas would be greatly appreciated, as I'm running out of ideas. I have posted some screenshots below.

    [​IMG]
    By ClickRight
    [​IMG]
    By ClickRight
     
  2. 2008/09/21
    Steve R Jones

    Steve R Jones SuperGeek Staff

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    Does the same thing happen with a different monitor?
     

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  4. 2008/09/21
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    So it's either a driver issue, or some other files are damaged.

    I would uninstall any video drivers from Windows, so you run with the standard VGA driver. If that clears the issue, you know what it was. Then try reinstalling your video drivers.

    If running in standard VGA doesn't solve the problem, try running System File Checker (sfc /scannow from a command prompt).
     
    Arie,
    #3
  5. 2008/09/21
    ClickRight

    ClickRight Inactive Thread Starter

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    This issue happens on different monitors as well. I have now reinstalled XP again after I removed the motherboard from the case, and the issue still persists. However, this time while installing XP I received the error "Your system is low on virtual memory" about 10 minutes to the end of the install. This I do not understand as the computer has 512MB of RAM (this is my test memory and it has been used in many other computers and passes memtest in this computer without an issue.)

    I believe this must be a CPU or motherboard problem, however bizarre it may seem, it really is the only logical explanation left, unless I'm missing something?
     
  6. 2008/09/22
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    How much free space is there on the hard drive?
     
    Arie,
    #5
  7. 2008/09/22
    ClickRight

    ClickRight Inactive Thread Starter

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    About 150GB, it's a 160GB hard drive.
     
  8. 2008/09/22
    GERT

    GERT Inactive

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    Check your page file size. Set it to system determined size. I've had the same problem and after I changed my page file size to the system determined size, the problem was gone.
     
    GERT,
    #7
  9. 2008/09/22
    ClickRight

    ClickRight Inactive Thread Starter

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    This was during installation so there is no option so set the page file size.
     
  10. 2008/09/22
    GERT

    GERT Inactive

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    Ok.
    Then you have one option, reinstall Windows but, maybe somebody like Arie have a solution....
     
    GERT,
    #9
  11. 2008/09/22
    ClickRight

    ClickRight Inactive Thread Starter

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    I have already reinstalled windows 3 or 4 times after changing hardware.
     
  12. 2008/09/22
    GERT

    GERT Inactive

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    Right Click My Computer
    Click Properties, Advanced, Performance settings, Advanced and change the Page file size.
    If you are on an administrator account it must be possible.
     
  13. 2008/09/22
    ClickRight

    ClickRight Inactive Thread Starter

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    Please re-read my posts.
     
  14. 2008/09/22
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    Are you reinstalling Windows when you are booted in Windows??

    I have serious doubts if you would see this error message if you do not have Windows running.

    So make sure you boot from the Windows CD.
     
  15. 2008/09/22
    ClickRight

    ClickRight Inactive Thread Starter

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    This is when booting from a CD to do the installation. I have tried 2 different XP disks and the original restore CDs.
     
  16. 2008/09/22
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    I suggest that you "nuke" the partition. Re-partition & reformat the drive, then re-install.
     
  17. 2008/09/22
    ClickRight

    ClickRight Inactive Thread Starter

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    Already tried. I have installed XP on a new hard drive.
     
  18. 2008/09/22
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    OK, so now I'm completey lost...

    here you say:

    Here you tell me

    An now you say
     
  19. 2008/09/22
    ClickRight

    ClickRight Inactive Thread Starter

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    Hmm, I'll try to set matters straight:

    The low virtual memory error appeared when performing another installation of XP on a different hard drive. I had booted the computer from the XP installation CD to perform this (and all) installations.

    If you re-read my first post, it explains everything I have done in attempts to troubleshoot the issue. This post is just something I ran into while performing another installation of XP.
     
  20. 2008/09/22
    ClickRight

    ClickRight Inactive Thread Starter

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    UPDATE!

    This issue has been traced back to a defective CPU. In all my years of computing I've never seen anything like it. Here's a picture of the diagnostic failing. As soon as I can get my hands on another CPU to test with I'll update this thread to verify.
     
  21. 2008/09/23
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    Wouldn't have guessed that, but now your weird pictures do make sense since 3DNow! is a failing component.
     

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