Anyone else have this problem?

Ok, I've loved my FX... until this started happening.
I can't figure out what is wrong with it- I've looked many places and no one else seems to have run into the same problem.
I haven't installed any nvidea drivers since I didn't find any that I knew for sure where from nvidea. I don't want to install one, it still not work, send my laptop to gateway and have them tell me I voided the warranty because of a non-official driver I installed (if it OC'ed the GPU also, for example)

So I was wondering if any of yall could help me out. Does this look familiar to anyone? Do you have an idea what may be wrong with it? I've gotten an answer from someone else; they said the monitor.
But it too random to be the monitor (in my opinion)


1 This started after I installed the Orange Box
2 Only happens in dark areas (When it is happening, if I shine my flashlight at a wall(in game), for example, it gets better/goes away until I turn the flashlight off
3 Happens not only in game, but also on website or my bottom bar (also requires darkness)
4 Don't think it is from over heating, my laptop shows only 37C-40ishC under stress in Half Life 2 (where it is most noticeable). Also, when I was at a LAN recently, computer on for 12 hours, and this never happen. When I turn it on sometimes it will happen also immediately when I play HL. (also rolls over to TF2 or portal. Haven't played any other games, but I assume this will also happen to those also)
5 'Scratches' don't show up when I use print screen
6 I'm using a gateway FX with Vista in 64bit (HL is also running is 64bit mode)

Picture taken with a regular camera since print screen doesn't work. And it doesn't show a picture because I am not allowed to post the http part of he URL...

 

Good explanation of WHEN it happens, but you need to tell us WHAT is happening. You mentioned 'Scratches' in bullet 5, but I think even that needs clarification. Since you mention it occurs in dark areas of the screen, it sounds like artifacts, and that is usually solved by better video drivers.

As for drivers, the stock Nvidia drivers shipped with your system aren't great (some would use stronger language). Simply installing newer drivers found here http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=265740 will neither overclock your GPU nor will it void your warranty. While the 180.43 are the latest drivers, Most folks have found the XFastest 177.85 and Dox's 178.24 to provide better performance and greater stability in games (although I see Dox now has a 180.43 version of his drivers - I haven't tried them yet). Driver upgrade will probably solve your problem.

 

I could not bring up the photo on fileshack, are you getting intermittent lines through your display. If so I had the same problem it is the LCD. I had to send it to Gateway for repair. The first time I got my laptop back in 5 days but they installed the wrong LCD only 1400 by 900 max res. I sent it back to them at their cost and just got it back today, it took 4 weeks.

 

that hurts.

 

New drivers, would be my first guess. Sounds like its just not compatible with your games and/or software. You'd be amazed what good video drivers can do for ya! Personally, I've been pushing people toward the Xfastest 177.85 drivers for a couple months. There is yet to be a driver that outperforms, with the same stability, and less problems. As a matter of fact, those Xfastest drivers haven't given anyone a single problem that I am aware of. Just make sure after you install, to run msconfig and disable the nvscc.dll, or whatever that .dll is that errors after the first reboot.

 

Yea.. I was afraid i would have to send it in.

img528.imageshack.us/img528/1932/img0133hv0.jpg
that link works for me, it explains it best.

I'll *try* to explain what happens.
Its kind of like horizontal lines distorting the image that is there. Think of a white scratch on a black piece of paper that is moving back and forth and flickering.
To be honest it is hard to explain, the best think is just the picture because that is it almost at its worst; though it gets to the point where I can't even see a thing.

I'll go ahead and find the download location for that driver you are talking about E-wrecked, hopefully that can help.

EDC: That sounds about it. see if the link will work now for confirmation. I guess if you could never get it to work i guess I will have to send my lappy in also. I guess I'll have to take it into BB and use that insurance plan

 

Deron, check out this member's thread here in Gway - http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=265740

About 3/4 way down is the download for Xfastest. Give it a try. And, if that doesn't help, then let us know. No need to waste time with BB til you trouble shoot yourself. This should be an easy fix. Oh, also..make sure you elevate the rear of your laptop. Place a couple CD cases under your battery..or a Crysis CD Case, just make sure it's not covering any vents underneath when you prop it up. That will also make sure you prevent future problems. It's gotta breathe! OH! And while you're in the driver thread, download nvidia system tools and install.

 

to view the image only copy this

img528.imageshack.us/img528/1932/img0133hv0.jpg

yeah that is really weird iv never seen that before...

 

I finally got the image to open it is exactly the problem I was having. I tried new drivers , lifting the back of the laptop, shutting of the wirless nothing worked. Gateway had me try the same things. The LCD was bad, since Gateway replaced the screen I have not had any problems

 

I saw the image... looks nasty... Not a driver error...

 

wow that sucks...sounds like bad screen form the experiences posted here?

 

Darn, well thanks for the info. Looks like I'll be taking this in then.

 

do a clean install of vista and download the drivers for ur lappy from gateway support site.

 

FedEX to gway? And make sure you remind them NOT TO USE A 1440x900 REPLACEMENT!

 

that is weird...

i didn't read the whole thread, have you hooked it up to an external monitor, and if it still happens at least you know it's not an lcd problem, probably a gpu problem

 

I know it the monitor because print screen doesn't show anything wrong. I tried using it multiple times and it never showed a problem. (and also someone who had the same problem on these forums confirmed that it was the monitor)

What I'm actually going to do is bring it into best buy. I got the best insurance plan they offered (2 or 3 years completely full covered of everything ever known.) Unless that would be a bad idea.

I thought before that using the insurance takes it away, but a couple of people have told me that it still extents after I use it through the whole 2-3 years that I got it for... so I'll just save the hassle of going through gateway and do Best Buy.

Thought, has anyone noticed the FX lappy doesn't show up on the BB website undering gaming laptops?

 

BestBuy will just send it to Gateway, I believe, but Bighops could tell us for sure.

Pros on sending it to Gateway:
You are dealing directly with the manufacturer and may have faster turnaround time.

Pros on going through BestBuy:
They will have a record of the repair which will count towards the no-lemon clause of the extended warrunty. If you are lucky, you might be able to talk them into just exchanging it with one they have in stock.