Hello geoff57,
Thank you for your question.
I am assuming from reading your question and the fact that you say
things come back to "normal" that there are times when the monitor
display looks correct to you. If this is true, then we can safely rule
out a software driver problem.
The first thing to try is to be sure that the multi-pin connector on
your monitor and at the video card connector on your computer is
seated properly. Sometimes it will be a permanently attached cord at
the monitor, but most often, there are connectors that must be seated
properly and then tightened down with thumb screw or screwdriver
slotted screws on both sides of the connector. Make sure the
connectors are not partially disconnected and firmly seated.
Also, check the video card in your computer. Turn everything off,
unplug the computer and open the case, remove the single screw that
holds the card in the case, remove and reseat the card. Be sure it is
firmly at the bottom of the card slot and all connectors are making
contact and appear clean and shiny.
If you are not comfortable working inside your system, have a
knowledgeable friend help or a computer shop check this for you.
In my experience, this has a good probability of fixing the problem if
it is intermittent as a weak connection can go on and off and one pin
making partial contact could easily be the problem. It may not. Your
monitor could be starting to fail.
You did not mention details such as whether this is a CRT (standard
Cathode Ray Tube ) or LCD monitor, nor the make and model or make and
model of your video card. I am assuming it is a standard monitor. If
you do need further clarification after this answer, do provide as
much detail as possible so that I can help further. Include the age of
the monitor, if you know.
At Dux Computer Digest (paraphrased - do read the entire article)
http://www.duxcw.com/faq/mon/
"FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Monitors - Last updated: 12/23/02
Q. How does one troubleshoot a computer monitor?
...Won't come on at all, will not always come on when the turn the
computer is started, occasionally goes blank (black, no cursor), or
has a color problem?
A. Check for loose power plug (wall and monitor ends). Verify the
outlet is good (plug a lamp into it).
Check the plug on the monitor for bent or pushed-in pins. There will
probably be some missing pins, and that is normal. Monitors don’t use
all of the pins in a DB15 plug. I use a tweaker (small screw driver)
to straighten them. Be very careful; they can break easily, depending
on the monitor. Check the monitor cable to be sure it is fully
plugged-in and make sure it is screwed down. Wiggle it at both ends
to see if the cable is defective...
...A frequent monitor problem is the failure of the green function
which is usually controlled by a relay, which can often be heard
clicking in an out when it or the supporting circuitry is defective...
...The problem could be in the computer. Try another monitor to
determine if the problem is in the computer or the monitor itself.
Or, try the monitor on another computer. Unplug the computer and
reseat the display adapter. If you have an AGP display adapter,
remove any expansion boards in the PCI slot next to the AGP slot.
That PCI slot usually shares an interrupt
(http://duxcw.com/faq/irq/irq.htm) with the AGP slot. Try another
display adapter...
...Check the display adapter, motherboard, and monitor manufacturer's
web sites for known issues and solutions thereto.
The monitor may need the attention of a qualified technician in a shop
equipped to troubleshoot and repair the monitor...
...Before taking/shipping the monitor to a computer shop/repair depot,
one should try determine if repairs are warranted based on the age of
the monitor and the replacement cost. Many shops charge a flat fee to
repair a monitor. The fee may not include cathode ray tube (picture
tube; CRT) or other parts. If the fee plus shipping is more than half
the cost of new monitor, the monitor is more than likely not worth
fixing, if it is more than a couple of years old. The decision, to
repair or replace a monitor, is of course, up to you."
The warning below is extremely important!!
*************************************************************
Warning! Monitors have very high voltages inside the case and are
extremely dangerous. Do not take a monitor apart unless you are
qualified to do so. Dangerous (life threatening) shocks are possible
even if the power cord is disconnected. The cathode ray tube is also
dangerous and can implode causing injury or death. If you do take a
monitor apart or handle a monitor, you do so at your own risk.
*************************************************************
PCGuide has a good tutorial on troubleshooting monitors beginning on
this page:
http://www.pcguide.com/ts/x/comp/crt/index.htm
"This section discusses problems related to the system monitor. The
monitor of course displays the video signals sent by the video card in
the PC. The monitor is in some ways easier to troubleshoot than other
parts of the PC simply because it is not inside the PC box. It
interacts only with the video card (or cards in a multiple-video-card
system) and therefore there are fewer places for problems or conflicts
to occur. If you don't find the answer to your problem in this section
on monitors, then you should check the problem listings for video
cards as well, since the two are so closely related.
Warning: The most important advice I can give about troubleshooting
your monitor is to resist the temptation to open it up. There are high
voltages present in monitors, and it is not worth the risk of injury
or death to try to work on a monitor yourself. If you can't resolve
the problem with the cover on, take the monitor to a
professional--that's what I do."
And this page:
http://www.pcguide.com/ts/x/comp/crt/qual.htm
Discusses brightness of colors, but does not seem to be what you
describe. It may be worth checking, however.
And this page comes back to my first thought for your problem:
"The video image is intermittently fluctuating or disappearing from
view
Explanation: The screen image is disappearing or intermittently
fluctuating, either completely or partially.
Diagnosis: Having the picture partially disappear on an intermittent
basis normally implies some sort of electrical problem. The cable is
usually the culprit.
Recommendation:
Check the cable connections carefully, and make sure that it is
straight, not kinked, and that it is making good contact with all the
pins at the video card end and the monitor end as well. Try replacing
the cable if possible.
Make sure that the video card is not loose in its slot (unlikely that
the PC would work if this were the case at any rate).
There may be a problem with the monitor itself. You should consider
taking it to a repair shop to have it examined."
Other monitor troubleshooting links:
http://www.geocities.com/thecyberprice/monrepair.htm
Computer Education - Troubleshooting Monitors
http://service.gateway.com/gateway/step/1,,5+26+36038+139+23904+16804,00.html
Gateway Support - Troubleshooting Monitors
http://helpdesk.oneonta.edu/resnet/training/audio_video_troubleshoot.htm
Here they note:
"How to tell the difference between a bad video card and a dying
monitor
- A bad video card will usually cause the system to freeze up.
Frequently the user is playing a graphics heavy game or watching a
movie, or is trying to set video preferences.
- A dying monitor usually changes hue or becomes "glittery" without
user intervention.
- If the connection between the monitor and the computer is good, and
you're getting an intermittent change in hue, or a consistent change
in hue, there is a good chance the monitor is failing."
I'm afraid if the above do not lead to your solution, your monitor may
indeed be failing.
Search Strategy:
"troubleshoot" +monitor OR "computer monitor" OR CRT +problem
I trust my research has provided you with a method to isolate your
problem. If a link above should fail to work or anything require
further explanation or research, please do post a Request for
Clarification prior to rating the answer and closing the question and
I will be pleased to assist further.
Regards,
-=clouseau=- |
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