Sometimes when I am adding fabrics to a block in EQ6, my computer screen goes "nuts," flashing and flickering.

So, I decided to call the ElectricQuilt Company that makes the software. They had a couple of things for me to try:

Depending on the capabilities of your monitor and video card, you can probably change your refresh rate to something else. Most video cards and monitors support settings other than 60hz. And it doesn't take much of a change to make the flicker go away.

To change your monitor's refresh rate in Windows XP:

* Right-click anywhere on your desktop.

* Select Properties.

* Select the Settings tab.

* Click the Advanced button.

* Click on the Monitor tab.

* Click on the Screen refresh rate drop-down list for the settings that you have available to you.

* Select a new refresh rate, if you like, and press OK. Your system will try the new rate, and give you 15 seconds to approve it. If your screen goes completely nuts, do nothing. After 15 seconds without a response from you, the old settings will be restored.

Just about anything higher than 60hz is enough to reduce or eliminate visible flicker. 72hz or 75hz seem popular and commonly available options.

What if 60hz is the only option listed? Well, there are two possibilities:

* You have a very old, or perhaps very cheap, display adapter - this is unlikely these days.

* You have the default VGA video driver installed. If you locate and install the video drivers for your specific video card you should have access to all the features that card has to offer, including different refresh rates.

Finally, the limits of your ability to view video are typically due to your monitor. A monitor that claims to be capable of displaying, say, 1600x1200 may be able to do so, but not with a crisp image. Set the resolution as high as you can see comfortably, but no higher. Slightly fuzzy images, like flicker, can cause eyestrain and give you a headache.

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Here are some more things to try:

Click Start > Control Panel > Display > Settings > Advanced button > Monitor tab. Do you have a checkbox for "Hide modes this monitor cannot display"? If that checkbox is not checked, try checking it. See if this makes a difference.

If it does not, try setting your hardware acceleration down.

To do this, Click Start -- Control Panel -- Settings tab -- Advanced button --Troubleshoot tab. Move the slider bar for hardware acceleration down from full. Different computers work best at various settings (I suggest 2 notches down from full), so experiment by moving the bar, clicking Apply, clicking OK, then seeing how programs run at this new setting.

If you set it to none, and the flashing stops it indicates your video driver needs updating.

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Fortunately, the first change worked for me - switching the refresh to 75 mHz.

The gals at the tech support at ElectricQuilt are very helpful and patient. If none of these things work, give them a call: 419.352.1134 or email: techsupport@electricquilt.com