Can a faulty graphics card "destroy" a monitor?

[AdamE]

I've been having some problems with my computer recently (blue screens). I'm not 100% sure what's causing it but I have a strong feeling that it may be a faulty graphics card. The reasons why I think it might be the graphics card is because:

• the screen flickers,
• I once got a shock when attaching the monitor cable to the back of the graphics card (is this even safe?), and
• Windows attributes the error to a 'device driver'.

Now back to my main question, can a faulty graphics card cause a monitor to "break"? Just today, my monitor is displaying all the colours wrong (a massive red tint). I've tried it on another computer and it's definitely the monitor displaying incorrect colours.

 

[Nodsu]

Well, not destroy. Fry some circuitry, yes - VGA signals are 0.7V and shorting 12V to it is not a good idea

As for the shock you got.. Are you using grounded outlets and/or the same outlet for the PC and the monitor?

 

[AdamE]

I live in Australia. The power supply for the computer unit is earthed but I am not sure if the monitor is earthed or not (it's currently packed up for warranty repair).

The shock doesn't sound normal ay? Might check around the case again for leaking voltage.

 

[N3051M]

The monitors should be grounded (as per aussie standard, unless it goes through a power adaptor, which is grounded anyways>3 pins). What brand/model is it?

The shock.. could be a bad case of static maybe? (wool carpet, PC and/or monitor still pluged in/turned on etc) or as said a bad grounding in the PC..

havn't heard of monitors breaking by a graphics card, but like Nodsu said, circtuitary, maybe..

 

[Tmagic650]

It's not likely that a faulty card would damage a monitor, but a massive static shock or discharge could destroy both the monitor and the video card... and most any other device.

CRT monitors have their signal cables attached to the computer and the other end attaches to a video IC. This Integrated Circuit creates the video and its colors. These are transmitted through other circuitry to the CRT, or to the face of the monitor as light

 

[AdamE]

Thanks for your help.

It definitely wasn't a build up of static. I got the shock when screwing in the metal screws (with my hands) on the DVI plug into the back of my graphics card. I had been holding the same metal "screw" for some time before the shock occured. I also then grabbed my special 'dangerous voltage measuring' screwdriver which immediately lit up indicating a strong current.

 

[TimeParadoX]

Yeah my monitor seemed to crash after I tried to run BF2 at full graphics and I had to get a new monitor, guess I blew a circut or something =P

 

[Tmagic650]

Yeah my monitor seemed to crash after I tried to run BF2 at full graphics and I had to get a new monitor, guess I blew a circut or something =P

Refresh rates usually cause a monitor to display incorrectly, but not damage a monitor...

 

[TimeParadoX]

Eh, it gave me a excuse to replace my crap monitor for a better one =P

And I think it was damage because when they took it to Radioshack and tried it on another computer it wouldnt work at all so they basicly traded it for another one in the shop so... guess it was broken =D

 

[DelJo63]

[*]I once got a shock when attaching the monitor cable to the back of the graphics card (is this even safe?),

Unless it's a USB/Firewire cable, it's best to NEVER perform cabling with a HOT
system -- nasty things just happen.

You should really verify the outlet is grounded -- it's only a few $$ for a tester
and you will be assured that you/your family will be safe.

Btw: Even if you have a surge protector or UPS, they only provide protection
if the outlet is properly grounded, so testing on the device
(surge protector or UPS) will show the entire setup is correct

 

[Tmagic650]

Excellant advice jobeard

 

[Mictlantecuhtli]

Refresh rates usually cause a monitor to display incorrectly, but not damage a monitor...

Old monitors don't have that kind of protection.

 

[Tmagic650]

What do you mean by "old monitors"? CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitors? If this is what you mean, I again say " Wrong refresh rates can damage a monitor, but they will display incorrectly first. This can usually be corrected without damaging a monitor