I have the exact same problem!  I have a two week "old" Inspiron 8600 with the 128mb ATI Radeon 9600. I was thinking of posting it here but I just couldn't think of a good way to explain the problem. "Horizontal rain" is exactly what it is...

I've tried out a few games and they all look the same... I also realized that setting the powerplay down to balanced solved the problem. But that definately feels only like a temporary solution.

Heh, posted almost the same thing at almost the same time...

stu

This was a problem experienced by several users of this new combo. Apparently there is a problem with some of the cards, and you should get it replaced by Dell (it will be free of charge as its within warrenty). Refer to the following thread:

http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_video&message.id=104579

stu

Call Dell tech support. Explain the problem and point them to this thread…

http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_video&message.id=104579&view=by_date_ascending&page=1

They need to read it right through to the third page to get an idea. 

Tell them you want your GFX card replaced by one that works. Email them your pictures, if need be, and point out that the others in that thread had the problem solved by replacing the card. 

Beware them assuming it is the LCD by mistake, as, since it works with an external monitor, that’s what they (understandably) first told me it was. It wasn’t though, it was the GFX card. This is all explained in that thread.

They were very good with me. They replaced it promptly after I asked them to read through the thread, and after I had answered a few questions for them.

Good luck!

Thank you guys for clarifying!  I'll be contacting Dell Support... Wish me luck!

Good luck!

stu

Dell does not reply to me.  I have already a track number and sent them a second email, why it must be the video adapter.

How long do they need before they answer me?

Houmi :(

Be patient, but insistent. Call them up and persist on the matter until you get a satisfactory response. Its unfortunate that it has to come to that, but Dell's award winning customer service of a few years ago is obviously non-existant now.

stu

OK Guys,

Dell ESupport seems to work now. ;)

They wrote me:

Houman, to get the issue resolved, i would like you to connect to an external monitor and check for the issue. If the issue persists then i would like to have the following information to set the service

Based on our troubleshooting, you have a failing or failed LCD / video adapter and I need to replace it. To get this started, please provide verification of the following information:
- Name of person to contact:
- bla bla

As far as I remember two days ago, I tried it with an external monitor.  And everything seemed to be alright on 1024*768.  Perhabs I should run the 3D Mark longer to see if the problem persists or not.

What if it doesn't persist anymore?   Does it mean the LCD is failing?  But it cant be, since when I lower the performance of the video card, the horizontal rain disappears.  This indicates that the LCD IS alright...

I am afraid of a false replacement of my good LCD (no pixel deads) for nothing.

What do you think?  Is there any case out there, where this problem was solved by a LCD exchange?  So far I didn't read anything about that.

Houmi

Hi,

We've also just got hold of a 8600 with a 9600 in it, and are experiencing same issue.

Grr...