Posted on 08/31/2025 3:22:07 PM PDT by Zionist Conspirator
Requests for advice and help with computer issues seem to produce more jokes than anything else, but I'm wondering if someone here who is more tech-savvy than I am can help me.
I had a rectangular Dell monitor for a long time and it did great, until eventually the text and images began (I don't know what to call it. Bleeding? Ghosting?) rightward across the monitor. I am not talking about light spots around the edges of the monitor, nor am I talking about some sort of reflection following moving objects. I simply mean that, text or picture, there is a shadow coming out of whatever is on the monitor to the right of my computer screen (as I am facing it).
This became such a problem that several months back I tried to replace it. I tried a good square monitor from Dell, but although this particular problem was absent the texts and images were way too small, and to enlarge them distorted the screen. So eventually I found another large rectangular Dell monitor that, while not brand-new, was newer than the one I had been using.
At first it worked beautifully, but it didn't take long for the same problem to crop up, though I noticed that it seemed to come and go. Even during a single session on the computer, these distracting images would lighten and disappear, only to come back later. Right now it is worse on this newer screen than it was on my old one.
Why is this happening? Why did replacing the monitor with a newer one do no good? Why do the inferior smaller square type monitors not have the same problem? Is it a physical, hardware problem, or one than can be fixed by adjusting the settings?
Before coming here I did a DDG search using various terms (such as the above "bleeding" and "ghosting") but they seemed to be describing other problems, such as light spots around the edges or afterimages trailing after moving objects. This has nothing to do with that. It's just that everything on my monitor--my desktop, the various Windows and browser links, any and all pictures and all text--seem to cast a very distracting shadow rightward of the actual objects. As a matter of fact, for the first time ever I am noticing a dark (not black, but darker than the rest of the background) vertical column on the left side of my monitor along with the usual problems.
Is this a problem with Dell, with rectangular screens, or what? Why didn't replacing the monitor fix it? (I mean, the smaller square monitor fixed that particular problem but it was simply unsatisfactory.)
Does anyone know what is going on???
Oh, and yes, my computer is plugged in.
That's okay. I was just looking out for your privacy when you take the screenshot.
I can do everything you suggested except posting it on a picture hosting site.
It's very easy and you're already half-way there.
Once you've taken your screenshot and saved it somewhere on your PC where you can find it, you're good to go.
Now, go to postimages.org. It's a free site. Set up your account. (all you need is an email address)
Once that's done, I'll walk you through the final step.
If you can, make sure your heavy desk isn't sitting on the cable.
At this point that's what I'm hoping! And I never even thought of the cables until it was suggested on this thread.
If you can, make sure your heavy desk isn't sitting on the cable.
I don't think it is, but I could be wrong. The desk was here way before the computer was. At any rate when there's someone available to help me I'll check it out (unfortunately I'm disabled and not able to do a lot by myself).
Understood. Just wait for someone who can help you in person.
Go to Settings > Display > Advanced display settings
You can also turn HDR color settings on or off there which may or may not help.
At any rate, your monitor should be set to max resolution and refresh rate can make a difference too.
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My monitor had a similar problem, sort of a bleed thru coming across the screen from the LEFT margin smudging across the left side. Turned out to be the monitor power cable was sort of pulled out. Good luck!
Are you using the same cable, and if the vga that’s probably your problem.
How about replacing the ram modules? Most modern computers that don’t have dedicated video cards use main ram for video. Bad ram bad image quality. Most desktop computers have all the ram n dual inline memory modules. If you have two you can take one out and move the other to a different slot. Take one out, test replace one with the other, test replace both with brand new, etc
Have you tried changing your power cord to the monitor?
Somewhere along the way RAM modules often became soldered on the motherboard, in a bid to cut the cost of manufacturing.
OP is disabled, so the option to check for that possibility is reduced.
In any case, it is certainly a possibility but I haven't seen bad RAM modules in years.
Insufficient RAM, certainly. But not bad RAM.
...the third one ducked.
How old are we talking?
Is it a big monitor like an old old TV that is a big cube?
If it is, a magnet can cause odd things.
Computer speakers have magnets in them.
New speakers might have bigger magnets, hence new problem.
First lets determine nature of the rabbit hole we plunge into! :-)
Does the connector wire have a “D” shape and 3 rows of connector pins with screw ears to hold it in place?
That would be a VGA monitor. Old old but does what it does when it works!
Is it an HDMI connector? Most modern are likely HDMI.
Today if new it could also be Display Port (DP)
Do you still have the working but too small monitor to look at to determine cable without climbing on desk?
If it comes and goes it might be cable related.
When you used the smaller monitor that worked was the signal wire permanently connected to the display? (not the power wire)
Ideally we could have more specific information.
Windows can tell you your monitor type.
Windows can tell you your display card type.
I don’t use windows but you can google “how do I see what monitor I have windows 10”.
Most modern TV’s can be used as a computer monitor. They cost WAY WAY less than a ‘monitor’ and a 1080P HD TV (common size nowadays) is not very expensive.
Good point
Shaking the cable at its connection to the monitor suddenly alleviated the problem considerably, and I also noticed that whenever I put pressure on the plug to push it further into the monitor the bleeding actually receded and came back exactly with the position of the plug.
Someone is supposed to come help me with this today.
Again, thank you all.
Inasmuch as its happened on both computers, could it be related to power coming into the computer, or modem causing interference?
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