motherboard problems?

I am posting this because it seems to n=be the monitor
To change the refresh rate:

Restart the computer, and while it is restarting, press F8 until the Startup menu appears. Press 3, and then press ENTER to start the computer in Safe mode.
Right-click the desktop, click Properties, and then click Settings.
Click Advanced, click Adapter, and then click Adapter Default from the Refresh Rate list.
Click OK, click OK again, and then click Yes to restart the computer in Normal mode.
You can set the colors and screen area to your preferences under Display Properties.

To change the video adapter settings:

Restart the computer, and while it is restarting, press F8 until the Startup menu appears. Press 3, and then press ENTER to start the computer in Safe mode.
Right-click the desktop, click Properties, and then click Settings.
Click Advanced, click Adapter, and then click Change.
Click Next, and then click Display a list of all the drivers in a specific location, so you can select the driver you want.
Click Next, click Show all hardware, and then click Standard display types under Manufacturers.
Click Standard Display Adapter (VGA), and then click Next.
Click Yes, click Next, click Finish, and then click Yes to restart the computer.
After the computer starts, right-click the desktop, click Properties, and then click Settings.
Click 256 colors, click Apply, and then restart the computer.
After the computer starts, click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click System.
Click Device Manager, click View devices by type, and then click Display adapters.
Click Standard Display Adapter (VGA), click Remove, and then click OK.
Install all updated monitor drivers.

It depends on how far into the boot process you're PC is getting. If the previous answer were true you would see the win XP startup screen, then when it changes to the desktop the screen would go crazy. Usually a doubling or tripling of the same image all overlapping and possibly rolling a bit. This is caused by a resolution setting that the monitor can't sync to. Then the advice given is correct.

But, from what your describing it sounds like the problem happens right away and there's actually colored letters amd symbols. If it happens before the desktop comes up then there could be an issue with the CPU. If its AMD and the fan has stopped then it may have burned up and is wigging out. Kind of like a stroke or seizure the brain is functioning but its shorted out and cannot perform the correct instructions to make the person do what's needed.

Try checking the video card if it si seated properly, you your motherboard comes with a built-in video, your processor could be the culprit.

Jov