Laptop screen flashes periodically and randomly.

[ThaiGold]

I have Windows Vista on an Aspire 5920G Laptop and recently I updated my video drivers because there were some minor gaming issues that were apparently caused by issues with outdated drivers. Since the update though, the screen flashes occasionally. It looks like you hit the degauss on an old CRT monitor. I have rolled back the drivers and checked the refresh rates. Both to no avail. I set the driver back to the updated one and the refresh is at 60Hz where it is recommended. I also accessed the VGA options and found one option (PhysX) that decides whether video should be run from the VGA CPU or the PC CPU, so I changed it from program specified to my VGA card and that seemed to help a tiny bit with the frequency this occurs, but it still flashes. It will flash whether the laptop is idle or in use, and the only thing I've noticed is the more I use the video card, the more it happens. e.g. It happens more frequently in gaming or while video is playing. Any suggestions.

Acer Aspire 5920G
2.1 GHz Intel Core2 Duo T8100
512MB Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT
3GB DDR-2
15.4 WXGA Crystalbrite LCD (8ms / 220 nit)
Windows Vista Home SP2

[mjc]

Is it still under warranty?

[ThaiGold]

No, I don't believe so. I bought it quite some time ago.

[mjc]

Ok...try this...

Grab a LinuxLive CD, Knoppix (http://www.knoppix.net/) is a good one to try. Boot to the Linux CD and see if it does the same...

It's sounding like it may be a hardware problem (as in a connection to the video circuits) or an overheating problem...

[ThaiGold]

Okay, thanks. I'll try that for awhile and see if it happens. It may take me awhile to get back. The problem is very minor and happens so infrequently, my GF never even noticed it til I pointed it out. I've been watching for it since I posted this first post and haven't even seen it, though I know eventually I will. Haven't gamed all week, and I think that's more likely the reason than a delayed reaction to a some fixes I've tried.

[ThaiGold]

A connection problem, that makes some sense. I do have issues with my sound where if the laptop is open at just the wrong angle, there seems to be stress on a wire and my sound gets major static. Could it all be related to a bad connection between the two parts.

[mjc]

Yes...the wiring is by means of ribbon cables and if one isn't quite seated properly or loose, all sorts of problems develop.