Asus M2NPV onboard GF6150 VGA: strange symptoms

Hello,

I just put together a computer for my parents, using an Asus M2NPV-MX,
Sempron 2800+, and 256MB of Transcend DDR2 533MHz CL4, running at standard
speeds. I'm using the onboard GeForce 6150 graphics with an analog screen,
but there's something strange going on with the graphics. I'll try to
explain in detail:

- Some text and borders around drop-down menus have a sort of green smear or
echo: vertical black lines with a lot of white to the left of them appear
blurred or greenish, the first few letters of every line of text appear
blurred, drop-down menus have a green echo to the right of them, 4 or 5
pixels wide.

- At first I thought the analog video signal was of low quality, but the
problems only appear with some programs, so it's definitely a problem in the
digital domain.

- In Word or Excel, when there is a file opened (either maximalised or in a
smaller window), the drop-down menus will appear normal. When no file is
opened, drop-down menus have the greenish echo. Simple one-window programs
like Notepad are always ok. The menu you get when right-clicking on the
desktop always has the greenish echo. Acrobat Reader always looks horrible.
I guess this indicates that there's a problem with programs that have
different graphics layers on top of each other.

Should I be looking at the memory as the source of trouble (it passes the
boot test, and otherwise the computer runs fine), the onboard graphics chip
(it would be inconvenient if I had to take the computer apart again and
return the mainboard), the drivers (they are the latest version), or driver
settings?
I have tried al kinds of options for the screen settings, but nothing seems
to change anything.

Any help/suggestions appreciated!

Marc.

Me wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I just put together a computer for my parents, using an Asus M2NPV-MX,
> Sempron 2800+, and 256MB of Transcend DDR2 533MHz CL4, running at standard
> speeds. I'm using the onboard GeForce 6150 graphics with an analog screen,
> but there's something strange going on with the graphics. I'll try to
> explain in detail:
>
> - Some text and borders around drop-down menus have a sort of green smear or
> echo: vertical black lines with a lot of white to the left of them appear
> blurred or greenish, the first few letters of every line of text appear
> blurred, drop-down menus have a green echo to the right of them, 4 or 5
> pixels wide.
>
> - At first I thought the analog video signal was of low quality, but the
> problems only appear with some programs, so it's definitely a problem in the
> digital domain.
>
> - In Word or Excel, when there is a file opened (either maximalised or in a
> smaller window), the drop-down menus will appear normal. When no file is
> opened, drop-down menus have the greenish echo. Simple one-window programs
> like Notepad are always ok. The menu you get when right-clicking on the
> desktop always has the greenish echo. Acrobat Reader always looks horrible.
> I guess this indicates that there's a problem with programs that have
> different graphics layers on top of each other.
>
> Should I be looking at the memory as the source of trouble (it passes the
> boot test, and otherwise the computer runs fine), the onboard graphics chip
> (it would be inconvenient if I had to take the computer apart again and
> return the mainboard), the drivers (they are the latest version), or driver
> settings?
> I have tried al kinds of options for the screen settings, but nothing seems
> to change anything.
>
> Any help/suggestions appreciated!
>
> Marc.
>
>

Memtest86+ (memtest.org) can be used to test the memory. The tool makes
a bootable floppy, and you boot the computer with the floppy to do
the testing. There is also an ISO, if you'd like to burn a test CD.

Prime95 (mersenne.org) and its Torture Test option, can be used to test
both the memory and the processor while in Windows. Prime95 tends to
be a more sensitive test, but Prime95 cannot test the whole memory in
the same way that Memtest86+ can. You don't have to join the search
for prime numbers, to use Prime95.

For a 3D test, this product has a 30 day trial period, and you can
use it to test your board. If you want something a little more
mainstream, 3DMark2001SE build 330 is still available for download.

http://www.passmark.com/products/pt_adv3d.htm
http://www.passmark.com/download/pt_download.htm

The purpose of running a 3D test, would be to further implicate
the built-in GPU. There have been other Asus motherboards in
the past with 6150, where the GPU was a problem, and needed
to be replaced under warranty. But your description is a
new set of symptoms, and all I can say at the moment, is
do more testing. Maybe you'll get a better idea of the extent
of the problems, with a little more testing.

Paul

:-)

"Paul" <> wrote:
>
> http://www.passmark.com/products/pt_adv3d.htm
> http://www.passmark.com/download/pt_download.htm
>
> The purpose of running a 3D test, would be to further implicate
> the built-in GPU. There have been other Asus motherboards in
> the past with 6150, where the GPU was a problem, and needed
> to be replaced under warranty. But your description is a
> new set of symptoms, and all I can say at the moment, is
> do more testing. Maybe you'll get a better idea of the extent
> of the problems, with a little more testing.

As far as I can tell, this is designed as a benchmark test; will it tell me
if it encounters errors in the GPU, or do I have to watch the test and look
for anomalies in the image myself?

Marc.

Me wrote:
> :-)
>
> "Paul" <> wrote:
>> http://www.passmark.com/products/pt_adv3d.htm
>> http://www.passmark.com/download/pt_download.htm
>>
>> The purpose of running a 3D test, would be to further implicate
>> the built-in GPU. There have been other Asus motherboards in
>> the past with 6150, where the GPU was a problem, and needed
>> to be replaced under warranty. But your description is a
>> new set of symptoms, and all I can say at the moment, is
>> do more testing. Maybe you'll get a better idea of the extent
>> of the problems, with a little more testing.
>
> As far as I can tell, this is designed as a benchmark test; will it tell me
> if it encounters errors in the GPU, or do I have to watch the test and look
> for anomalies in the image myself?
>
> Marc.
>
>
Watch the test and look for anomalies. Sometimes a GPU can be
busted bad enough, that the program exits, or the system
reboots. (The only reason I'm recommending Passmark at all,
is it is a small download. Some people are on dialup, and
they groan if I suggest 3DMark. If you have a high speed
connection, then 3DMark2001SE Build330 is as good as any.
The Passmark is "cartoon quality" and doesn't test as much
stuff.)

The purpose of trying all the tests I listed, is so you can
combine the results and draw some conclusions. The earlier tests
are important, as you need to prove the CPU and memory are
healthy. Then, when the graphics test flakes out, you'll feel
more confident that the GPU is at fault.

Paul