For a long time now, whenever there is text or pictures on my computer screen there is a horizontal black darkened line that GOES across the entire screen. I thought that it was my moniter, but i just put in a new one and the lines are still there. I have windows me and a compaq presario. if anyone has an idea if there is SOMETHING wrong with the graphics card or display settings or whatever, it WOULD be great if you had some advice. thanksThe easiest thing you could try would be to DLoad the latest drivers for that graphics card...
Since the condition existed on 2 different monitors we can rule that out.
Make sure after you have gotten the latest drivers that you remove the device in Control Panel Hardware etc. and reboot.
This is the cleanest way to do so. Vid drivers can be very quirky.

patio.  thanks ill try thatunfortunately it didnt work so its probably the card right?baloneybandit21,

Yup, it could be your card.

Some things you can try:

- change the resolution of your display (for Win ME): Start>Settings>Control Panel>Display...use the Settings tab and set your resolution higher or lower (using the SLIDER)...click OK and follow any other instructions.

Did the black bar change or go away.  If yes, suspect your card.  If it is unchanged, it could be something else like your cables or connectors.  
Are you using a video extension cable or any other added video equipment on your machine?

Are you using an Active Desktop?  If so, try disabling it.

Have you RUN a recent full virus scan?  Recommend this, if you haven't.

Dellthanks for the advice but none of those things have worked so it looks like its probably the video card