Computer monitor woes...

[cruiseroutfit]

So all of a sudden my desktop monitor goes black... like I'm literally working away and it goes black. Now I can look very closely at the screen and barely make out the documents I had open and even adjust all the brightness/contrast setting in the monitors control panel, no change. I turn the monitor off, then on again... it returns to normal for about 1 second and then blacks out again. Unplug everything, let it sit for a minute, try again, 1 second and its done

Thankfully I can run my shipping software using the remote desktop feature on my laptop, but I'll need to address this tonight.

Think my monitor died? Chance its the video card? I've tried plugging in another monitor and it says "cannot support this mode".

 

[Meat_]

My guess would be that it's the monitor.

The problem with the other one is probably that your resolution is set too high for the monitor, or maybe the refresh rate. Remote desk top in and turn the resolution down to 800x600, that should let it work and then you can increase the resolution until it doesn't work again to find out the max for that monitor.

 

[scoutabout]

I've got 3 21" CRT's at my house that aren't being used. Feel free to go by and get one.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I'm remote linked into the desktop, but it won't let me adjust the resolution or click the "advanced" button. Wondering if I'm not setup to allow changes in the control panel? Any suggestions?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I have verified its the monitor that died... plugged it into another desktop and it does the exact same thing. Its a couple of years old so I doubt its under warranty anymore. Might just go buy a new one and be done with it.

EDIT: Only had a 1 year warranty, this one is now just over 2 years old.

 

[anderson750]

Upgrade the video card to handle dual monitors. Bigger is always better.

 

[Rusted]

scoutabout's CRT is the right price If you can't get one from him I can probalby round up a 19" or 21" as well.

19" LCD = $120 (1440 x 900)
20" LCD = $155 (1680 x 1050)
21" LCD = $190 (1920 x 1080)
22" LCD = $190 - $20 rebate (1680 x 1050)
24" LCD = $250 (1920 x 1080)

Those prices are from just a few minutes of looking on newegg.com. Just to give you an idea of what you can get for the money. I would suggest a 21 or larger screen, that extra $70 between the 19 and 21 makes a world of difference. And the price of the 24" monitors if very appealing

PS. Dual monitors are cool. Once you move to a dual set up it is hard to go back to a single monitor.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Thanks for the advice Rusted

CRT is the "deep" monitors right? I'd imagine it has to be by design. For my desk I really need a LCD, I'll be browsing NewEgg tonight and might stop by Circuit City too

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Swung by Circuit City, everything is just 10% off and there was zero signage on anything, I had to carry a couple of monitors up to the sales desk to get a price. In the end the deals were no better than what NewEgg and Best Buy had online. I cruised over to BB, they had a store display model that didn't have the cords (already have them with my junk monitor). Its a 20 widescreen, same brand as my other Westinghouse (hope this one lives a bit longer). $99.99 out the door (regularly ~$175). I'm happy, it works, woes are over. Thanks for the help guys!

 

[NoTrax]

Hey Kurt, was that the 15" Dell I sold you? Glad it lasted you this long at least

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Hey Kurt, was that the 15" Dell I sold you? Glad it lasted you this long at least

Actually that one is still alive and running, this was a 19" Westinghouse I got for Christmas in 06'

 

[BlackDog]

Now that his woes are handled, I have a Gateway flat screen, no idear the vintage..

It likes to use the color blue.

CAN'T FRIGGIN TONE IT DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everything has a blue tint?

dead monitor?

 

[NoTrax]

Now that his woes are handled, I have a Gateway flat screen, no idear the vintage..

It likes to use the color blue.

CAN'T FRIGGIN TONE IT DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everything has a blue tint?

dead monitor?

IF your getting tons of blue hue, you can change the color temperature, and it should adjust the blue tones. If not, faulty LCD

 

[BlackDog]

Faulty LCD then... adjusting temp just gave me varying shades of blue.

 

[JeeperG]

Swung by Circuit City, everything is just 10% off and there was zero signage on anything, I had to carry a couple of monitors up to the sales desk to get a price. In the end the deals were no better than what NewEgg and Best Buy had online.

Good thing you checked huh, I don't think anything in there is really 10% off.

 

[Caleb]

Now that his woes are handled, I have a Gateway flat screen, no idear the vintage..

It likes to use the color blue.

CAN'T FRIGGIN TONE IT DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everything has a blue tint?

dead monitor?

Have you replaced your cable? Generally when you are missing a color or have a prominent color it means you are missing a pin. It could have broke off or gotten bent. It could also be a faulty video card. To test, hook the monitor up to another machine, if it's good then it's the video card, if it's still blue then replace the cable, if it's still blue then it's a faulty monitor.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Here we go again, identical symptoms as my first failure. Screen will go black, though you can see the image on the screen if you look very closely, as if the back light has gone out. Verified its bad on another computer. Is there a chance my video card is causing the failures or is Westinghouse just junk? Going to try and warranty this one but in the meantime I'll need a replacement. I'll be at Best Buy tomorrow AM

 

[Meat_]

Your power could be flaky and taking them out... might need it on a UPS

 

[Herzog]

It's definitely the backlight in the lcd. Problem is that it will probably cost you more than you bought the lcd to have the backlight replaced backlights are pretty much soldered into and attached to the lcd panel. You might be able to replace just the lcd panel for a better price.

I just had one go out in my laptop (after a good 4 years of use) and I'm having a hard time justifying $150 for a new lcd panel to go in. Most other panels are cheaper but this one is a wuxga. If you can find out which panel they put in yours, you might be able to find a replacement on ebay for a good price.

Also check the dell outlet for good prices on better monitors. They are known to use nice panels in their ultra-sharp line.

 

[Meat_]

If you get stuck with it you can convert it into a projector with one of those old mylar projector things you'll remember from school :greg: