Brand New Viewsonic VX2035WM and issues with MDD G4 (2003)

Question

Hello, fine folks,
Well, I've been waiting to upgrade my 17" CRT monitor to a nice, big LCD. I finally got my chance last night. I bought a Viewsonic VX2035WM 20" widescreen monitor. I didn't get to set it up until today, however.
I set up the monitor using the included DVI-D cable, and when I boot up the computer, I get this huge, gorgeous view of my newly-expanded, 1680x1050 desktop. I use the computer for some research for a couple of hours, then I leave the computer sitting while I play for a while with my children.
I come back to my computer later, and I think to just look to see how the monitor looks with video playing. The videos play fine. I then get back to my research. I notice while I'm reading an article in Acrobat Reader there is a flashing "banding" of sorts going across my entire screen. I check the settings, and nothing has changed from earlier. The banding "flutters" and oscillates horizontally, as though there might be trouble syncing with the video card.
I rebooted the computer, and reset the PRAM (just to try something). The boot up screen has a nice, solid blue hue, but when the desktop appears, the banding/oscillating begins anew like before.
I hope that has given you a good idea of what's happening. Some more information about my machine:
2003 G4 MDD 1.25 GHz (single)
1.75 GB RAM
ATI Radeon 9000 Pro 64MB
OS X 10.4.8
This computer has run perfectly well for the almost 4 years I've owned it, and now it has me scratching my head. I'm going to hook up my iBook G4 via VGA and see if it's the monitor having troubles, or if it's perhaps my video card.
I apologize for my wordiness, but here's the overwhelming question: Is it my video card, or could it be the monitor?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanking everyone in advance,
Kyle
1.25 G4 MDD, 1.2 G4 iBook   Mac OS X (10.4.8)   G4 MDD: 1.75 GB RAM; G4 iBook: 1.25 GB RAM

Answer 1

Well, an update on the latest episode of this sad saga. Well, I was able to trade out the monitor with Circuit City, and they were great with their customer service (No, I don't work for them. ).
I got the monitor home, and quickly got things set up. I held my breath as I hit the power button on the monitor, then the power button on my G4. Nothing happened. I had a sinking feeling come over me.
I tried the old DVI-to-VGA adapter bit, and it worked beautifully, as it had with the prior monitor. I guess I had just traded in a perfectly fine monitor as a defective one.
I found an article inside Apple's support pages for the G4. It mentioned trying to boot up from an operating system install disk. I put the Tiger install disk into the machine, hooked up the DVI cable, then booted the machine. Of course, as usual, nothing happened. So, I did the usual switcheroo to the VGA cable, and up came the video.
I did an "Archive & Install" installation, per the advice mentioned in this article. I connected the DVI cable, booted up, and again, nothing happened.
I shut down the computer, opened the case, took out the video card, cleaned the contacts, did a quick inspection of the AGP slot, just to make sure no detritus had made its way into there, possibly blocking the connection that would allow a digital signal to pass on through. I removed the battery for a minute, then pressed the PMU button after replacing the battery. I closed up the case, booted up the computer, and nothing happened.
I'm very discouraged and flabberghasted about this whole situation. I've tried to do it all correctly, and when mucking around the interior, I've made certain I'm properly grounded (grounding wrist strap). I'll be placing a call to AppleCare Technical support tomorrow, I guess. Since my AppleCare coverage lapsed just last September(!), I'll be ponying up the $50 in order to see what steps need to be taken next. I suppose they'll want me to ship it out to them and let them take a look.
I guess I'll have some thinking to do. I don't know if I want to bother with the expense to get to the bottom of this.
Thanks again, everyone, for all the assistance and advice offered to me!
Kyle