5

I just got an unexpected missing-required-file error when compiling a program and decided to reboot. After rebooting, my primary monitor — I have a two-monitor setup — became blurry.

The display has been working fine for almost a year, and I did not make any changes to its configuration recently. In particular, I did not change the video card, resolution or refresh rate. It's an LCD, so degaussing isn't the solution. I have confirmed that it is set to the recommended resolution and refresh rate. The only non-blurry thing is the OSD; even the Windows XP boot screen is blurry. The second monitor in my display, which is the same model and is attached to the same video card, is still working fine.

How can I restore crispness to my monitor?

EDIT:
Yes, the BIOS screen is blurry as well. As far as I know, no unusual events, such as booting into safe mode, have occurred recently. The connection is DVI. Will update later with the results of switching the monitors, can't do it right now.

Improve this question
2
  • 3
    Some more information that may help: Is the BIOS display before you boot Windows blurry? Even if you didn't change your configuration, maybe something changed the resolution in Windows (e.g. a boot in safe mode), is this the case? Do you use a VGA or DVI connection? What happens if you swap the monitors?
    – Gilles 'SO- stop being evil'
    Commented Jul 29, 2010 at 20:48
  • 1
    Try using a different DVI cable... maybe the current cable is bad or is not fully in.
    – Jarvin
    Commented Jul 29, 2010 at 21:38

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
11

Check that all the wires are connected properly, try re-plugging every connection. If that fails, try a different cable and a different computer - that should give you some idea of where the problem is (screen DVI port, DVI cable, or computer DVI port).

From the information you provided, it seems unlikely that it's a problem with the computer's software or the screen's electronics.

Improve this answer
4
  • 1
    I will try jiggling the wires. Unfortunately I don't have other cables or computers available to play with, as I'm asking about my work computer.
    – Pops
    Commented Jul 30, 2010 at 2:29
  • 1
    Yeah, it worked. I must have managed to kick something loose at exactly the same moment I was rebooting.
    – Pops
    Commented Jul 30, 2010 at 12:55
  • Same thing happened to me! I was about to dump the monitor, but moving the VGA cable fixed it.
    – John Henckel
    Commented Feb 7, 2017 at 22:13
  • I thought I was going blind suddenly. A little jiggle went a long way.
    – Hans
    Commented Dec 13, 2020 at 1:40
3

If you boot to a Linux LiveCD like Ubuntu or Knoppix, is the display crisp? If so, it's probably a software problem within windows. if not, it's probably a hardware issue.

Improve this answer
3
  • Not an option; this is a work computer. Good answer other than that, though.
    – Pops
    Commented Jul 30, 2010 at 2:28
  • The fact that it was also blurry in the BIOS indicates a hardware issue.
    – Zaz
    Commented Aug 17, 2010 at 14:39
  • That edit was posted after I answered the question, so I feel your downvote is unfair. I feel answer is technically correct and is a useful way of troubleshooting.
    – Josh
    Commented Aug 17, 2010 at 20:44
0

WiFi radio interference from laptop and tablet into DP cable was doing it to me...
I was going crazy wondering why my text became fuzzy again!!!

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .