Does dots on screen mean bad VGA card???? 1

[Ssshaker]

Hi all,
I have and Asus V7700 Pro on MSI KT7266 M/B with Athlon 1.7, 512mb DDR, IBM 40gb and Win XP which installed its own video drivers. I had to update the BIOS to recognise the Athlon and I d/l the latest VIA chip drivers to get 3D to work at all.
That done, the graphics are beautiful but I get 5 columns of 15 dots in a grid pattern on the screen when I start a game, notably, Messiah. Before I installed VIA 4in1 4.35 drivers I think I got spots on boot up as well. Maybe I've just gone spotty???
The screen is running at either 1280 or 1020 with same results. Can anyone shed some light on this please?
Thanks
BTW....I couldn't find any more recent drivers than the XP ones installed.

 

[ramani]

HI
1. The video card driver could hold the key.
2. Also the screen refresh rates, the depth of color, resolution size could be mismatched. The best vide resolution is often specified by the VGA monitor manufacturer. If the refresh rates supported are lower than what the card can support.. (This happens when a old monitor connected with the latest VGA card.. the screen only flickers at 1024x768 pixels.. whereas 640x480 it is ok.)
3. Try adjust the refresh rate to Adapter compatible.
4. If not satisfied.. start with the lowest..
640x480... 256 color.. adapter default refresh..
Then change the options one by one to find out what happens at what. You are sure to endup with ine tuning
ramani :-9
(Subramanian.G),FoxAcc, ramani_g@yahoo.com

 

[Ssshaker]

Hi Ramani,
Ta for the quick reply. Have tried at 800, 1024 & 1280 with similar results. However I left the refresh rate at 85hz which is what XP decided was best in the first place when setup. Two monitors, HP M70 (17&quot and LG Studioworks (15&quotwith the same results.
Will try your suggestion to reduce refresh rate.
Thanks again............