Help! I'm getting visual problems when connecting an external monitor to my laptop

[DesertPenguin]

To begin with, I'm on really old technology. Windows XP in it's most updated form but still old. I had this idea to connect my old monitor to the laptop and get a wireless keyboard/mousepad so I can be relaxed on the couch instead of leaning over a tiny laptop. The monitor is also larger.

So I connected the monitor and while the laptop is set for 1024x720, I set the monitor to 1280x1024. I'm getting faint dark horizontal lines all over and it's messing with text, seemingly stretching a "shadow". I tried lowering the resolution to the laptop's but it's the same. I don't remember it being like this years ago.

What could it be? Just a bad wire? I'm confused by computer stuff so any ideas are appreciated.

 

[Rallywagon]

Have you tried a different monitor and/or cable? Is this VGA out or HDMI?

 

[DesertPenguin]

VGA, and I tried a shorter cable but got the same results. Thanks though.

 

[Rallywagon]

Try a different monitor then. Sounds like the back lighting might be going out.

 

[DesertPenguin]

It certainly is an old monitor.