Is my monitor dying or is it something else?

July 23, 2009 12:48 AM

Is my monitor dying or is it something else?

So my no-name used desktop computer has been installed and running more or less ok for the last 6 months. Used no-name LCD monitor, the same. Today I go to turn my computer on, and my monitor wouldn't turn on... This isn't the first time it's happened (just unplug and replug) but today it didn't turn on after replugging... After a few more tries, the monitor came on, then the liquid in the LCD seemed to color from normal desktop to black. One more try and it seems to work perfectly now...

So the question's simple: what's going on? No computer trauma, hasn't been moved in months... Is it time to start looking for a new monitor, or is there something I'm missing?

posted by chrisinseoul to computers & internet (5 comments total)

Likely time to start looking... sounds like the lamp might be dying? That or the logic board that controls power supply.

Cheap LCDs abound on Craigslist, or in Dell's outlet store, even, for quality ones. Should be able to find something serviceable for under $150-$200.
posted by disillusioned at 1:56 AM on July 23

When you say "it wouldn't turn on" - do you mean the screen wouldn't come on (i.e. no power light) or there's no display on the screen itself?

If the screen just won't power up, then it probably is at fault. If the screen is dark then it could be the cable, or the graphics card. Try a new monitor cable, and try switching to an alternate output on the graphics card (if it has one; do it when the PC is off, and when you turn it back on, the PC should auto-detect the change).
posted by Sifter at 3:05 AM on July 23

"the liquid in the LCD seemed to color from normal desktop to black"

Sounds like the LCD is fine, but the backlight (which illuminates the LCD) is on the way out. When the backlight stops working, the monitor carries on working (power LED lights up etc.) but there's no picture.
posted by le morte de bea arthur at 3:19 AM on July 23

It would be extremely rare for this kind of problem to be caused by your video card. It is almost certainly a dying monitor.
posted by Phyltre at 5:00 AM on July 23

le morte for the win - I hate bad news, but it's at least palatable coming from someone with a cool French name. Thanks all :)
posted by chrisinseoul at 6:04 AM on July 24