Monitor problems - flickering lines

[random0guy]

So, I got a new monitor and it worked fine for almost a week. Then today when I turned it on, I noticed flickering black and white lines and some color distortion. It went away after a while but then it came back and won't go away. I tried restarting the computer and reinstalling the drivers, but nothing helped.
Also, in my display settings extra resolutions were added - resolutions above 1024x768 that weren't there before. I also noticed another option for refresh rate - 85Hz as opposed to the usual max of 75Hz.

Oh, and while I was writing this, the lines went away...but they might come back so any advice is appreciated.

[jdawg]

Next time it happens, punch the screen as hard as you can.

[aander91]

It sounds like it's just a bad monitor. :/

[crazy.neo]

Does this happen when you boot in Safe Mode?

[random0guy]

Does this happen when you boot in Safe Mode?

Yes it does. But occasionally it goes on and off (it's off right now ) and it's quite annoying. I also tried to swap the VGA cables to see if it was a faulty cable but it turned out not to be so.

edit: i clicked a tab then BOOM, it's back :(
actually now it's gone...AARRGHH!

[crazy.neo]

Get a Linux Live CD and check if the problem still happens and to what refresh rate it defaults to. If the problem persists, it's probably a bad monitor. Else, a bad driver, although booting into safe mode should cause the standard VGA driver to kick in, so a bad driver is not very likely

[random0guy]

Does it matter that I have XP (concerning the Linux CD)?

Ok, chances are it's the monitor, but I'll live with it since the lines aren't permanent. I don't use this pc for gaming anyway so it won't be much of a problem. Thanks anyway, neo

[crazy.neo]

Does it matter that I have XP (concerning the Linux CD)?

No, you just insert it and it will load Linux for you, no need to install anything.

[Rapt0r]

you boot from CD when you start up your computer.

[shawnoftheedead]

I've had this before, its because of Magnetism that you have or something or the cable in the back isnt plugged in far enough, the guys at Best Buy told me it was Magnetism cause my little brother was jacking around with these snake egg things that are magnets and threw them at the screen. I don't know how much itll cost you if its magnetism but sorry.

-EDIT-

Is this permanent? Or does it keep going on and off sometimes? Probably the case of Magnets or something. I bought a new monitor but I still have my old one that is fixed.

[Rapt0r]

Is this a CRT or LCD monitor?

[KTownEgghead]

I'll throw my monitor problem in the mix while we're at it.

The other day, I booted up my computer, and I have it hooked up to an external LCD television. It's always been at 1280x800, no problems. It will only stay in 1024x768 now, and if I go any higher, I get the "Out of Range" error. The refresh rate is at 60, so I don't know what the problem could be.

[random0guy]

It's an LCD monitor. It could be magnetism (speakers have some magnetic force, right (that's what I considered), but it goes on and off, and it's off for now and hasn't happened today.

[Rapt0r]

LCD, as far as I know, are not effected by magnets like CRT monitors.

[shawnoftheedead]

Are you speakers older or junkier? Cause maybe the magnets in the speakers could jack up your monitor :\ Btw ordinary magnets dont affect LCD Monitors.