As I type this question, my computer is having this annoying problem:

I have a Sony Vaio computer that is connected to an AOC brand monitor.
I am running Windows XP Service Pack 2, and the monitor is plug and
play. For the 1 1/2 years I have had this computer with this monitor,
I have never, ever had any problems with the monitor.

However, I just moved into a new dormitory, and I have noticed that
late in the evening and in the middle of the night, the monitor would
go dim on me, and in about 30 seconds, it would blank out completely.
I at first thought it was due to the fact that this is a very old
hotel building just being converted to a dorm, and maybe the
electrical system is just getting hit too much with all the computers,
TV's, stereos and other electronic gadgets that students introduce to
the building. However, even at 2:00am (when most people sleep) the
problem is the worst.

Between when it worked perfectly, and when it started flickering, I
have never changed any monitor drivers, video cards, or other
monitor-related settings. I checked the Monitor Troubleshooter in
Windows, all of the refresh rate/color settings in Windows, and the
menu on the monitor for Brightness and color, and none seems to work
to stop the flickering and blanking of the screen.

When the monitor blanks, the computer has no problems. In fact, I can
simply turn the monitor off and back on and it will come back on, but
if it is still dimming like it does, it goes out again in 30 seconds.

I would like an explination and solution to this phenomonon.

---

Request for Question Clarification by keystroke-ga on 08 Sep 2006 05:09 PDT

I know this sounds weird, but...

did you get a new cell phone during this time? If so, what kind and what carrier?

Trust me, I'm not crazy.

---

Clarification of Question by brandenads-ga on 09 Sep 2006 01:09 PDT

I did not get a new cell phone during this time. But I did turn on my
landline wireless 900mhz phone, and it is a Uniden brand phone.

What do phones have to do with monitors?


Please note: I forgot to specify that I have a flat panel LCD monitor.

Please note: I forgot to specify that I have a flat panel LCD monitor.

Please note: I forgot to specify that I have a flat panel LCD monitor.

---

Request for Question Clarification by keystroke-ga on 10 Sep 2006 21:55 PDT

My cell phone (a GSM) has caused my monitor to flicker before when I
get an incoming call. A weird phenomenon, but thought it might have
happened to someone else!

---

Clarification of Question by brandenads-ga on 11 Sep 2006 17:35 PDT

Thanks for letting me know!

---

Clarification of Question by brandenads-ga on 05 Oct 2006 18:21 PDT

This questin is being cancelled because, I found out it was my monitor
that was having a problem! It was under AOC's 2year warranty and was
fixed.

Sounds like one of 2 possible problems (assuming you use an old,
large, non-flat monitor... ie not an lcd):

- The monitor cable (or the power cable) has a frayed wire. You can
check it by flexing the cables and see if the monitor comes back to
life.

- There is a fault with an electronic component within the monitor...
This will usually be heat dependent (ie it is more likely to happen
the longer the monitor has been operating and displaying "images").

HI brandenads:
   Plz do as following step when your monitor blanking:
   step 1: power off(not just turn off your monitor), after 20s to restart.
            may be it is a problem caused by MCU, just reset it.
   step 2: if step 1 doesn't work, please power off your PC too, after
20 seconds, restart your PC and monitor
   step 3:
           chang your local computer's time to 2:00am manualy , to
check if it was caused by virus.
   step 4:
           use another PC to make sure it is caused by monitor, if it
really caused by monitor , just report this bug to AOC Inc after
services and i think AOC will give you a good solution.

    That's all, thanks

2:00am does not seem to do anything. I waited about 2 minutes and the
problem did not occur. What is the name of the virus that causes the
problem at 2:00am

What does MCU stand for?

to  brandenads:
    MCU: Micro-Controller Unit, like CPU of PC.  MCU need firmware to work.
    so, maybe(just maybe) it is a bug of MCU's firmware. 
 
    sorry, i don't know what is the name of virus. if your don't have
any better idea, just format your OS and install again. it is very
easy.

    Did you test step1 and step 2??

I had a simmilar problem some time ago, and it turned out my video
card was no longer good. Electronics do have expiration dates. Anyway,
you may want to take a look at that. Your video card or even only the
connector on your video card may be damaged.

If it's a CRT (a big tube, not a flat panel LCD), the odds are 90%
that it's simply on its last legs. That leaves 10% for your graphics
card or the cable. The 2am connection is probably simply correlated
with temperature, mild daily fluctuations in line voltage, and the
phase of the moon. I'll put the odds of virus involvement at
approximately .01%.

It sounds like to me like it could be a problem with overheating.

Check either the power supply or the monitor its self. If it is warm
or hot, you might want to try to get it into a more open place. If
there is much of a dust problem you may want to clear it off.

I hope that helps.

check if the cables are well tight enough (i.e. attached properly).
cleaning the pins may help! also keep magnetic products
(speakers,cellphones cordless phone) away from your monitor (aleast a
metre away).
hope this solves your problem!

Ok guys I have seem this before... Dose you monitor have an exturnal
power supply? If so you power supply could be going out. I have also
seen this issue with Brown-outs. I would recomend useing a multi-meter
on the end of the power supply to see if it is putting out the correct
power. If it is getting the correct power now you need to check the AC
source. The best thing to do here is get a UPS and run off of that.
Now i know you are not wanting to buy a UPS but you could buy on and
take it back if you do not need it. I had this issue before and only
after getting a UPS did I fix the problem.

Go to control panel, double click on display
1) Click on setting of the window and click on "advanced tab, click on
Monitor, and then select monitor type as Default monitor. In the same
window check the monitor settings and set it to 60 Hertz and then
click OK and then apply.

2) click on screen saver, check for Monitor Power option and click on power tab
see the text "turn off monitor" turn of hard disk and system standby
and choose for never, click on OK tab.

Hope it works for you :)