the only reason that I got a new tivo is that the cable box wouldn't talk to my tivo. it worked fine when I lived in VA. My brother had the same trouble with his cable box, and we thought it was the tivo until I moved to DC and had the same problem.

I'm having some computer glitzes. The monitor is flicking in and out (it goes to black for a couple of seconds and comes back), and occasionally parts of the screen looks like fuzzy noise, then it gets better.

Monitor issue? If that's the case, I can switch the monitor. I really hope it's not the hard drive or motherboard issue.

ETA: and the computer freezes for a few seconds while the screen goes glitzy. And it's been doing that more frequently! (must make sure backup is up to date right now!)

Might be the video card.

I would double-check that the monitor cable is plugged in securely, if you haven't already. Also, try a different monitor cable if you have one handy or can borrow one.

If that doesn't work, you could shut down the computer and open it up and make sure the graphics card is seated well onto the motherboard. You might try removing it and plugging it back in.

OK! Cable plug-in issue and video card being loose = relatively easy fix. Will try that right now. Thanks muchly.

Shit. I think it may be a bigger problem (I'm typing on my laptop) because NOW, the screen glitz is having like every 10 minutes --> computer freezes --> and it's automatically rebooting every time this happens.

I just opened up the computer and the video card seems to be sitting stably, and I don't have a spare monitor cable. Hmmm. I'll jiggle the video card a bit to if that makes any difference, disconnect then reconnect all the monitor cables, and see if that does anything. *sigh*

Shit. I think it may be a bigger problem (I'm typing on my laptop) because NOW, the screen glitz is having like every 10 minutes --> computer freezes --> and it's automatically rebooting every time this happens.

Not to scare you Vonnie, but that's why I have a new computer at work now. It wasn't the monitor. Whatever you do, don't wear headphones attached to the computer.

Oooh, that sounds ominous. I've turned it off and it'll stay turned off for now. I do use the headphones a lot when I listen to music & watch video in the evening (like the polite neighbor that I am.) What happened with you and the headphones? And if your computer was acting like mine and died, what was the diagnosis from your IT people?

What happened with you and the headphones?

When it fritzed it really blasted my ears.

what was the diagnosis from your IT people?

You need a new computer.

You need a new computer.

That's why you pay us the big bucks. For the expert diagnoses.

Although I'm not considered technical at this job. I'm such the pariah. The programmers look at me with faintly disguised pity when I try and talk their language.