Monitor Flickers on HDMI When DVI is in Use

[DoctorShazbot]

Hello, hope this isn't something that's been asked before, but I did search before I made this thread.

Either way, I use the same monitor for both my PlayStation 3 and my PC. PC plugs into DVI, PS3 plugs into HDMI. When the PC is running and plugged into the monitor while I'm playing on the PS3, the screen flickers and sometimes goes completely black for up to ten seconds at a time. It doesn't help that it makes a loud scratching noise sometimes too, that tends to scare the daylights out of me.

It does not do it when I unplug the DVI cord from the monitor, but I would prefer not to do that every time I play on the PS3 considering I have to reset a bunch of settings and rearrange all my icons and windows when I plug it back in. Is there any solution that you guys know of for this kind of issue?

This is the monitor that I have.

If there are any more details that you guys need about my system, please let me know.

 

[charmer]

do you have a GPU are you using ? PCIe or an onboard ?

 

[DoctorShazbot]

do you have a GPU are you using ? PCIe or an onboard ?

AMD Radeon HD 6850, so PCIe.

 

[charmer]

do you have a GPU are you using ? PCIe or an onboard ?

AMD Radeon HD 6850, so PCIe.

Ok 1st things 1st:
* What are your PC specs?
* While flickering what are the temps of your PC (GPU, CPU, VRMs etc'?
* How old is the PSU?

** Update all your drivers (CCC, BIOS, mobo etc').
** Clean your GPU from dust.
** The flickering might be cause by a voltage problem, not many chances but Try clearing the CMOS just to be sure (by unluging all your cables > take out the CMOS [the battery placed on the mobo] > wait for 10~15 mins > put the CMOS back > plug in the cables and turn the PC on.

I do not think that the PS3 has anything to do with it but if it does then i cannot help..

Pls update me on your progress if you can

 

[Pix3l]

I have heard of something like this before.. funny thing is the guy fixed it with just one simple step.

Check it out if it helps you .

Dvi has a ground through pc.
Monitor grounds through outlet.

Dont let it multiple ground or else it will create a static, which causes the monitor to flicker or in worse cases blank out completely.

It has something to do with the two cables creating a magnetic field .. almost like antenna's that screws with the monitor.

try to get your hands on a adapter that doesnt allow ground on the outlet of the monitor.

Tell me if it helped 😉

 

[DoctorShazbot]

Ok 1st things 1st:
* What are your PC specs?
* While flickering what are the temps of your PC (GPU, CPU, VRMs etc'?
* How old is the PSU?

** Update all your drivers (CCC, BIOS, mobo etc').
** Clean your GPU from dust.
** The flickering might be cause by a voltage problem, not many chances but Try clearing the CMOS just to be sure (by unluging all your cables > take out the CMOS [the battery placed on the mobo] > wait for 10~15 mins > put the CMOS back > plug in the cables and turn the PC on.

I do not think that the PS3 has anything to do with it but if it does then i cannot help..

Pls update me on your progress if you can

PSU
CPU
MOBO
RAM

I just recently cleaned out the dust in my PC. This has been happening for a while, it just wasn't until now that I decided to sign up here and actually ask for myself. I have also tried updating my drivers, and they are all up to date.

As far as clearing my CMOS goes, will that clear any data stored on my hard drive or anything?

 

[charmer]

ok .. PSU should not be the problem, all your spec should not have any affect on the flickering.

What Pix3l wrote looks intresting so try it out.

Again, what are your GPU temps when the flickering starts?


Clearing CMOS - it will restore your BIOS to default so it should clear any voltage issues (Unless the monufacture BIOS is the problem).

** i forgot to mention that before you pool the CMOS out DO press the Turn On button while the cables are unpluged to clear the left voltage in the PSU **

 

[DoctorShazbot]

ok .. PSU should not be the problem, all your spec should not have any affect on the flickering.

What Pix3l wrote looks intresting so try it out.

Again, what are your GPU temps when the flickering starts?


Clearing CMOS - it will restore your BIOS to default so it should clear any voltage issues (Unless the monufacture BIOS is the problem).

** i forgot to mention that before you pool the CMOS out DO press the Turn On button while the cables are unpluged to clear the left voltage in the PSU **

I saw what he was saying, and what he's saying makes sense, but the only way I know of that's readily available to unground my monitor would be to rip out the third prong on the plug. I would do that, but the wiring in my house isn't all that fantastic, and what would ensue would be nothing short of a fireworks show. Other than that I'm not sure where to find an adapter for that kind of thing. Forgive me if I'm wrong (and I probably am), but wouldn't that only be the case if it was flickering on both the DVI channel and the HDMI channel? As far as I've seen it only does it on HDMI.

I'm not sure of the temps, it always tells me that the GPU is running at 261F, which is not the case, as I'd burn my finger upon touching it if it were that hot. Updating the drivers does not fix this issue.

Now for CMOS, before I do this, let me make sure I have this right. Turn off the computer, pull out all the cords from the back of the computer, hit the power button to turn it back on, and pull the battery? I'm assuming I shut it back off before putting the battery back in and plugging all the wires back in.

 

[charmer]

IMPORTANT:
I'll be careful to write it down right this time - unplug all your cables including the power cable! > Press the pwr button so All the pwr left in the PSU will be cleared > take out the CMOS > wait for 10~15 mins > put the CMOS back > plug in all the cables and turn the PC on.

Download MSI Afterburner for Temp measuring.

If Afterburner is showing the same thing then your sensor is broken - might suggest that the HDMI port is damaged as well .. lets try all our other possibilities.

pls update me

 

[DoctorShazbot]

IMPORTANT:
I'll be careful to write it down right this time - unplug all your cables including the power cable! > Press the pwr button so All the pwr left in the PSU will be cleared > take out the CMOS > wait for 10~15 mins > put the CMOS back > plug in all the cables and turn the PC on.

Download MSI Afterburner for Temp measuring.

If Afterburner is showing the same thing then your sensor is broken - might suggest that the HDMI port is damaged as well .. lets try all our other possibilities.

pls update me

Well, I did this, and now my computer will not pick up my second monitor. It's plugged in, I've checked both ends. Any ideas?

EDIT:
Scratch that, I fixed it. I durped and had the plugs switched out. Didn't work initially because I didn't restart the computer.

Either way, the problem is still there. Screen still flickers. When it's not flickering, I'm noticing little blue, red, purple, and yellow sparkles showing up at random all over the screen. Almost look like the black marks on the screen at a movie theater that pop up from the projector, except colored instead of black.

 

[charmer]

IMPORTANT:
I'll be careful to write it down right this time - unplug all your cables including the power cable! > Press the pwr button so All the pwr left in the PSU will be cleared > take out the CMOS > wait for 10~15 mins > put the CMOS back > plug in all the cables and turn the PC on.

Download MSI Afterburner for Temp measuring.

If Afterburner is showing the same thing then your sensor is broken - might suggest that the HDMI port is damaged as well .. lets try all our other possibilities.

pls update me

Well, I did this, and now my computer will not pick up my second monitor. It's plugged in, I've checked both ends. Any ideas?

EDIT:
Scratch that, I fixed it. I durped and had the plugs switched out. Didn't work initially because I didn't restart the computer.

Either way, the problem is still there. Screen still flickers. When it's not flickering, I'm noticing little blue, red, purple, and yellow sparkles showing up at random all over the screen. Almost look like the black marks on the screen at a movie theater that pop up from the projector, except colored instead of black.

Ok, Lets look at it in another perspective: The monitor:

Connect a other PC or laptop to the monitor's DVI port so
1. If the monitor is not flickering we'll know that the PC's GPU is the problem.
2. If the monitor does flicker than the monitor or the ps3 are the problem.

If the monitor/ps3 are the problem
* A long shot - change the monitor frequency rate to 60 Hz.
* Change the resolutions on the PS3, see if it works.
look at this video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZVl5wzvFD8

Edit: Just something iv'e seen that worked with it (but with PS3 only) - while the screen is flickering and the ps3 is in on, disconnect to HDMI cable from the ps3, wait for a few sec' and plug it back.

 

[DoctorShazbot]

Ok, Lets look at it in another perspective: The monitor:

Connect a other PC or laptop to the monitor's DVI port so
1. If the monitor is not flickering we'll know that the PC's GPU is the problem.
2. If the monitor does flicker than the monitor or the ps3 are the problem.

If the monitor/ps3 are the problem
* A long shot - change the monitor frequency rate to 60 Hz.
* Change the resolutions on the PS3, see if it works.
look at this video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZVl5wzvFD8

Edit: Just something iv'e seen that worked with it (but with PS3 only) - while the screen is flickering and the ps3 is in on, disconnect to HDMI cable from the ps3, wait for a few sec' and plug it back.

Looks like changing my HDMI settings on the PS3 to 720p stops the flickering. Shame though, really puts a hurt on the quality of the picture. 🙁

 

[charmer]

Yeah there's a real difference there.. just a suggestion, try connecting the ps3 to the monitor's DVI with an adapter, and the PC to the monitor's HDMI. I have no idea if it works but it's worth giving it a try.

Good luck

 

[bluismycat]

I have just had a similar issue with my system although I am using a pc only. I had the same flickering problem. I had 3 x 27" 1920 x 1080p monitors and was slowly working my way up to 3 x 27" 2560 x 1440P. When I plugged my first monitor in, I used HDMI. Picture is brilliant. I got the second monitor and plugged it into the DVI-D port and...blank with it flickering onto picture and then off. Sometimes colours then black, sometimes grey then black. Plugged the old 1080p back in and the picture worked fine. Because of the positioning I had to use a 3m DVI-D cable so I replaced that cable with one I had (about 12 months old)...same thing, didn 't work.
Then for some reason I tried the DVI-D cable that came with the monitor (AOC Q2770P). This cable is shorter (1.8m) and the monitor works perfectly. I don't know if it is the cable length or the version (although my long ones are all the same pins as the short), or the fact that I am going from 1920 x 1080 to 2560 x 1440. I haven't found me a satisfactory answer to why this is works but it does.
I thought I would pass this on to you. If you haven't found an answer, by all means, try it.
For anyone else that reads this...if you know the answer...please post.

 

[charmer]

I will suggest three things:

* connect the monitors one by one to your graphic card and select the same settings (for example "1440p - 60Hz"). Then connect them both.
If it's still the same, try connecting the HDMI cable to the flickering monitor and the DVI cable to the non flickering one - just to make sure it's the same.
* if your GPU has another port like DP (display port), try connecting the flickering monitor in it, of course only if your monitor supports it or you can use an adapter.
* if you haven't done it yet, update your GPU drivers and see nvidia/CCC instructions use surround on their GPU's.
If you have done it with no success, rollback your drivers by a few versions (to around 321) and give it a try.

If this didn't help, I'll ask you to open a new thread on the forum.

Good luck!

 

[jodybdesigns]

Its your overclock. if you leave your card overclocked, ALL of your digital signals will flicker. Mine does the same, turn off the overclock in CCC, the throttling the card does in the bios for voltages and clocks causes this

also, flash will cause flickering too

i have a 6870 (5870 cypress rebadge)

try using ONLY your VGA signal - unplug the DVI - bet it stops EVEN WITH your overclocks - something about SOME radeon cards VGA + DVI - im running 3 monitors off one card, an active VGA on display port - a HDMI > DVI converter > and my DVI signal, both my HDMI and DVI will flicker, my DP to VGA will not, because its being picked up as an analog signal

 

[deFreitas]

The problem is the conversor, I have used a conversor HDMI -> VGA with a R7 260X, days later buy the conversor, gpu and the psu the screen starts flickering, the problem can be everyone, BUT I have tried connect the monitor with the conversor on my laptop. Same problem. HAHA the problem is the conversor. Thanks God. Now I need to pay 500$ on a new monitor with dvi/hdmi port.

 

[DoctorShazbot]

The problem is the conversor, I have used a conversor HDMI -> VGA with a R7 260X, days later buy the conversor, gpu and the psu the screen starts flickering, the problem can be everyone, BUT I have tried connect the monitor with the conversor on my laptop. Same problem. HAHA the problem is the conversor. Thanks God. Now I need to pay 500$ on a new monitor with dvi/hdmi port.

I figured this out a while ago. If anything is plugged into the HDMI slot on my monitor while DVI is in use, it flickers back and forth between the two. I've just stopped using my PS3 on my computer monitor and it fixed the problem.