Computer help please

[bobman936]

I am operating a Windows XP system that has been installed about three years. The system now seems to have developed the hiccups.
When I am using the computer, the screen will suddenly begin to jump around, going from the top to the bottom of the page that is open. Needles to say this plays hell when word processing or lurking on the board.
No one I have talked to seems to have any idea as to what could cause this. If any of the computer gurus here have an idea, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[SomeHotKCGuy]

Try a repair install of Windows XP. I've seen it greatly reduce such hiccups on my system when I've done so in the past.

Also, if anything changed recently, coinciding with this behavior, try undoing whatever that was to see if the issue goes away.

 

[Just_4_Giggles]

There are many reasons why this could be happening.

Is your system set up to receive automatic updates from Windows? If so, the new updates could be causing conflicting hardware configurations and you might want to download current drivers for your monitor AND/OR graphics card.

You could have a virus, too.

Your graphics card might be going into a death knell and may need to be replaced.

Have you recently installed any new hardware? This includes portable storage. (Probable hardware conflict).

Are you operating XP Pro or XP Home? Did you download (recently) the Service Pack 2 for XP? If so, you might want to uninstall it (The SP2 wreaked havoc on two of my XP systems....once it was gone, systems stabilized. I have heard the same thing from many others.)

First thing: run a virus check, Google "HiJack This" and go into those forums (the folks on there are experts on hijacking and will guide you thru what is Good and what is Bad), download Spybot & AdAware. Rule out funny business.

 

[bobman936]

Thank you for your responses.
I am operating XP Pro and have had no new hardware installs. I run a virus scan daily utilizing Norton.
I have not installed the latest Windows updates because of what I percieve (or have been told) to be problems with the Package 2 and my existing software.
Is there an available test to determine if the graphics card is the culprit?
Thanks for all your help.
Bobman

 

[bobman936]

Thanks once again. A quick update. It turns out that my graphics (video) card was loose and my mouse was dying.
The graphics crd has been tightened up and the mouse replaced.
Thank you Just_ 4_ Giggles and SomeHotKCGuy for your help and guidance.
Now back to work.

 

[Ezzy]

Unless you have trouble the quickest way to test it is to fit a different card and see if you still get the sanme trouble, you could do this on your own, or take it in to your local "safe reliable repairer".

The other thing that I had happen that sounds the same was the monitor going "kaput".

A friend of mine says you can get a good diagnostic program for monitors, he is out at the moment, but when he gets in he will look up the program that he has, and email the details to me.

I will post them when I get a chance.

 

[jradek75]

When I was younger, I unfortunately did a lot of helpdesk work. One thing I learned was to never assume anything. At the risk of sounding like a total idiot, I'll give you my first thought when I read this:


It almost sounds like your "page down" or "down arrow" key is stuck on the keyboard. Try tapping it a few times to see if it loosens or borrowing a good keyboard from someone to test it.

 

[jradek75]

Well, disregard my post. I guess I'm a day late and a dollar short. Glad you figured it out. Just curious for future reference though, was it a scroll mouse?

 

[bobman936]

Jradek75 - Sorry about the delay in responding but it has been one of those days.
Yes, in fact it was a scroll mouse. The scroll wheel was tending to wobble from side to side. I guess I can't complain, I have gotten multiple years if usage out of it.
Once again, thanks everyone for your help.