Computer monitor broken?

What's wrong with my computer monitor - picture broken up?

• So I was trying to get some files that somehow got left behind on our old computer (read: 1996 Acer Aspire running Windows 95). Since the old monitor weighs something like 100 lbs., I decided to hook-up a newish flat screen (not wide) and save my back from going to get the old monitor from the garage. When I first booted it up, it ID'ed the new monitor as a new "Plug & Play" monitor and everything seemed to work fine. I ran the computer for a few hours looking at old files, etc., and then it started... The screen started to hold images of the mouse moving around, old windows that I'd closed, etc. ...essentially "tracks" of where things had been. So I rebooted and now can't see anything. ...just bars and blocks of colors! So the question is... What's wrong? ...drivers? ...graphics card? Is it worth my trouble to hook-up the old monitor, or am I out of luck here? Thanks!

• Answer:

  while your machine might have recognized it as a PnP monitor it may very well need drivers to make it truly work properly. since your machine is so old it might not even accept the drivers needed. your best bet will be to get your old monitor out and use it.