Desktop

If it's still under garantee, DON'T HESITATE!!!
Go back to the shop with it. It's probably a contact between the screen and the PC. And when it starts, you'll never get rid of it without going to the shop sooner or later so do it!

Just backup the data on the drive and RMA it immediately. The only real solution to see if it is really a software problem is to load a clean install of XP onto the computer and that still means wiping the HDD and reloading Windows.

The most likely thing that is happening here is the back light is faulty with a bad connection somewhere and flashing on or at least partway on and off and if this is the case your best alternative is to get the makers to fix the problem rather than try to fix it yourself and then void any warranty that remains.

Col

i bet it's hardware (sorry). does it do this in safe mode? if so, it's into the shop for warranty repair for sure. i'd upgrade the bios and the video and lcd display drivers just because they will ask you if you did.

I had a similar problem with my laptop and the answer in that particular case was the screen itself.

When the screen light starts to fail it will cause the screen to flicker. it might eventually even get worse and black out intermittently. The only solution is replacing the screen in this case.

Second possibility is the video card. but that's a long shot. Some warranty repair shops have the appropriate software testing benchmarks that they can run that will "stress test" all the internal components of your laptop. Thus, they will be able to evalute the results and take the necessary steps to replace the faulty hardware.

In my vast experience in tech support, I haven't seen software causing screems to flicker.

Another possibility could be EMI. or Electromagnetic Interference. Something as simple as a microwave, proximity to a lightbulb, or even a cell phone nearby could cause the screen to be affected as you described.I will definately take advantage of that warranty you still have.

Keep me posted.

Cesar
MCSE, MCP, A+, Webdesigner

OK, how weird is this? The problem stopped just as suddenly as it began. If it recurs, I will definitely take it to the shop, though. Thanks to all for your comments!

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