What are these dots?

[VinY]

Anyone know what the heck these red dots/artifacts are on my screen? Click here to see the screenshot
I tried rebooting many times but the problem is still there. Thanks in advance!

Here is the system:
AMD Athlon XP 2500+
EP-8RDA+
512mb RAM
Geforce 4 MX400 running latest NVIDIA drivers
NEC Multisync FE791SB - 1152x864 @ 85hz
Windows XP Professional SP1

 

[Actaeon]

Artifacts... caused by videocard overheating...

Is your videocard overclocked? Lower its speed and they'll go away.

If not, get better cooling or underclock your card.

 

[VinY]

The card is not overclocked, nor is any part of the system. The card has the stock heatsink on it, which I think should be fine...

 

[Boonesmi]

are the artifacts always in the same place?

 

[VinY]

Yes.

Originally posted by: Boonesmi
are the artifacts always in the same place?

 

[Nebor]

I don't think a screenshot can capture artifacts... Seems like I read that once. Because the screen shot is taking the digital image straight from the video card, not the messed up one that's on your monitor. I think...

 

[Actaeon]

Case temps?

I still think your Videocard is overheating...

 

[VinY]

Case temps are fine, around 30C. If they were actually artifacts, wouldn't they be randomized? They are the same exact dots in the same places every time.

 

[sharkeeper]

Do the artifacts change or vanish in the presence of overlay?

Could be a problem with AGP drivers.

Cheers!

 

[VinY]

What do you mean by the presence of overlay? The drivers are the newest from NVIDIA's site.

 

[draelon]

they are almost definitely being caused by improper video drivers. Try switching back to the last set of drivers that worked without giving you the dots.

 

[sharkeeper]

Overlay: Play a video clip that uses mpeg or divx.

Cheers!

 

[VinY]

Yes, the dots are gone when I play video. What does this mean?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: VinY
Yes, the dots are gone when I play video. What does this mean?

Likely drivers or something. Does it go away if you change resolution, colour depth, refresh rate, etc?

And by "latest" do you mean the 52.16s? If so, step back to the 4x.xx series.

- M4H

 

[VinY]

The reason I upgraded to the newest drivers was because of the red dots. I had previously been running older drivers. Also the dots do not go away if I change resolution, color depth, or refresh rate.