A clean re-install or update of the video drivers is worth a try. I'd also check for an updated inf file at you monitor manufacturer's website. The current monitor driver may be corrupt, or have been switch to 'default monitor', or something. You can check that in the Device Manager.

It is best to uninstall video drivers before installing an update. Unless I ran into a problem, though, I usually just installed over the current drivers.


Anything less than 80Hz refresh rate on a CRT monitor gives me eye strain, usually followed by a headache.


Your scrolling rate may be determined by a setting somewhere that got changed / reset. Check your mouse configuration, etc. In Win 9x, the MS powertoy TweakUI has an option to disable smooth scrolling, which I think is the wave effect you are describing. In XP try Turn On or Turn Off Smooth Scrolling and Enable or Disable Windows XP Interface Components.


If you don't want to try a new Windows install, a Linux live CD could help determine if your problems are hardware or software related (as long as your video card and monitor are detected properly). AFAIK there are not a lot of really demanding games for Linux, but if you can play some mp3s while browsing in Firefox without freezes, and don't notice any graphics glitches playing a movie or any solitaire / pinball class games, then that implies Windows may be at fault. If you observe the save types of graphics glitches and freezes, then it may be a hardware problem.