Monitor dimming- lack of power to card?

Trio

New Member
When I use my old computer, the monitor almost always dims down, then brights up. I was wondering if this is because of a lack of power going to the video card? It's a AGP GeForce 6200 8x, in an Hp Pavilion a510n. I'm not sure what the PSU wattage is, but I remember seeing a comment somewhere on the internets of a guy being able to use an AGP card in his HP Pavilion a510n with no problems. Thanks a lot for answering.
 
The card is completely independent of the monitor in terms of power and such. Besides, the 6200 isn't a super power-hungry card, so a pretty basic PSu should be fine. If you were lacking in power, it'd probably BSOD or reboot.

When exactly does the monitor dim? Any specific times? Anything specific happening on the computer? My guess is the problem's with the monitor itself. Have you tested it on another computer? How about other video or power cables (assuming they are removable).
 
The card is completely independent of the monitor in terms of power and such. Besides, the 6200 isn't a super power-hungry card, so a pretty basic PSu should be fine. If you were lacking in power, it'd probably BSOD or reboot.

When exactly does the monitor dim? Any specific times? Anything specific happening on the computer? My guess is the problem's with the monitor itself. Have you tested it on another computer? How about other video or power cables (assuming they are removable).
No, I'm sure it isn't the monitor. It's brand new, and works perfectly fine on my newer comuter with the GTS 250. It just dims down when I'm on the older computer. The same happens with my older monitor. It happens whenever, and doesn't go away for a while. But, it ALWAYS happens when I'm on the older computer. I used the VGA connection, btw.

I opened up the the HP, and the PSU is 250w.
 
Maybe something strange going on with power saving settings? Have you double checked all your display properties? Regardless, it isn't a power supply issue, The_Other_One is right, brightness would not be affected by an inadequate PSU. Maybe the GPU is just on its way out, and letting you know in the most unorthodox way possible.
 
Another thing you may want to try is swapping in another gpu, there could be something wrong with the contacts on the one currently in that rig;)
 
Maybe something strange going on with power saving settings? Have you double checked all your display properties? Regardless, it isn't a power supply issue, The_Other_One is right, brightness would not be affected by an inadequate PSU. Maybe the GPU is just on its way out, and letting you know in the most unorthodox way possible.

Really? That sucks, I was hopping I could sell it. I don't have another AGP card to test it out with another.

The VGA cable wasn't properly screwed in, since I'm giving the older computer way and it's annoying to unscrew it. I think I'll screw it in properly and test it. Is there a way to be 100% sure that it's an issue with the GPU though?
 
The VGA cable wasn't properly screwed in, since I'm giving the older computer way and it's annoying to unscrew it. I think I'll screw it in properly and test it. Is there a way to be 100% sure that it's an issue with the GPU though?

Usually if the cable's just coming out or something, the whole screen flickers or you lose colors. I don't think I've ever seen one become darker... However, if two contacts shorted out, who knows.

As for being sure it's the GPU... Test it with another monitor. If the other monitor has the same problems, you know it's the GPU.
 
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