Black screen - heeeeelp please :(

[home102938]

dear IDnetters      

I am unable to use my computer     which feels so bad I could compare it to having a padlock fitted to my fridge and no key 

Monitor screen went black and I mean all black, with no messages or display, just as if turned off.
Monitor 20" - HP w2000v flat
Comp. HP Pavilion and Vista ("home"?)
My comp and monitor had been working for over 3 years without a glitch (had GeForce 9500 GS video card replaced in January 2010  after recall, it had a very noisy fan but worked OK).

Yesterday evening while using comp. as usual monitor screen seemed to flick in darker shades (as if power was low???) and within next minute it went black. I have turned everything off straight away.

I have switched it all on this morning - all nice and cold (just in case...). Comp booted  and while it did, a screen flashed a display of current process for a second and went black straight away.  Computer booted fully as usual. How do I know? I turned monitor power off in the meantime and after turning it on again a saw a log in screen......for a second, after which screen went black again.  Power light on the monitor is still on when the screen goes black. Switching monitor power off and on gives that one second "preview" every time after which it goes black again. That "preview" second was enough for me to get to full desktop display after several on and off's and quick clicks on relevant onscreen buttons (having cursor in the right place while seeing screen I was than able to type password -while looking at black screen-  hitting Enter and getting to desktop display - seen again for a split second !  So it would seem that the computer itself works OK. (?)

Perhaps its just a monitor problem and there could be several reasons for this but I am not sure where to start looking   

Unfortunately at the moment I can not think of where to get an access to another monitor.

I do have an old laptop (using it now) with windows XP on it (and a dial up modem! old but still functioning    ).
Is there any way that I could perhaps use this laptop to access my other computer data and do whatever checks you may kindly advice me to do ;-) (sorry if this Q sounds silly! also never used comp and laptop "together"/network? No wireless internet, nothing else used jointly).

My main and most pressing need is the access to the diary that has lots of notes and appointments re. care for a 93 years old disabled who I am in charge of at home (hence not that much time to google the problem and sieve through endless possibilities which I would otherwise do before bothering you here, sorry. And I did read all thats posted on this forum on "black screen" subject).

Any ideas where to start looking for the problem would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks

Stephanie 


ps.  no new software/hardware recently updated/added/used, no games played on comp. at all.

[Glenn]

Hi Stephanie,

Are you able to plug the laptop into the monitor to see if it displays anything? You may need to press a couple of keys on the laptop to activate the external display.

[Rik]

I'd agree with Glenn, Stephanie, in the absence of a spare monitor, exclude the source by feeding it from a different machine. If it works, it's probably a graphics card fault, if it doesn't, then my guess would be the backlight has failed. Do you live anywhere near Milton Keynes?

[home102938]

Thank you Glenn and Rick for the speedy replies 
As so far your suggestions are within my "technical" ability I have duly connected the monitor to the laptop, switched the monitor on and after a split second preview of the laptop's desktop it all went black again    just like when connected to the desktop.  I wander if its bad or not good 
Ready for the next step.......

Rik, if it would help to be near MK then I could be in no time (well within a short drive), no problem. 
Many thanks again
Stephanie   

[Rik]

I have a spare monitor you could try, but if I'm honest, you have described a failed monitor. Is it under warranty?

[home102938]

Unfortunately its not under warranty any more, otherwise I would have been there like a shot!  Just checked - 8 months out of warranty but not even 3 years old yet ! Well, they don't make things to last any more.....

Is the backlight something that could be repaired? I can ill afford a new one

Thanks
Stephanie 

[Rik]

Yes, it's repairable, but often it's cheaper to buy a new monitor, such is the age we live in.

Misco have a range, starting from £96, Amazon have a few, but seem more expensive:

http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/category/category_slc.asp?CatId=918&

eBuyer has a similarly priced range:

http://www.ebuyer.com/search?page=1&sort=relevancy&limit=10&q=monitor&filtersubcat=763

If you have a decent TV repairer near you, it might be worth checking with them.

[Glenn]

I would think with labour charges, a replacement backlight, if that is the problem would cost as much if not more than a replacement screen. Ebuyer have a basic 19" screen for £60

[home102938]

hi guys,

thank you so much for all the advice and suggestions. 
looks like a budget monitor has to be added to a shopping list 

i suppose that using my laptop screen in the meantime with the PC isn't a viable option (?)

goodnight all

[Rik]

I don't think that can be done, Stephanie, sorry.

[Glenn]

Not as far as I'm aware, no.

[cavillas]

hi guys,

thank you so much for all the advice and suggestions. 
looks like a budget monitor has to be added to a shopping list 

i suppose that using my laptop screen in the meantime with the PC isn't a viable option (?)

goodnight all

Do you have a newish lcd television?  If so there could be a computer connection on the back which you might be able to use or, in fact, most new lcd tv's of any size screen.  You cna buy a new lcd tv with 22" screen for about £120 wich could be used for a monitor plus tv.

[home102938]

hi,
I have been considering your suggestions and my options. Did not want to make a rush purchase.

And while researching the possible new monitors and looking at the dead one in front of me with frustration  I prepared a complaint letter to the computer seller based on product not being of satisfactory quality.  However,  I decided to give them a ring first just in case. After the initial "out of warranty" etc discussion and me pointing out that its not a warranty issue but consumer's statutory rights ;-) they decided to accept my complaint      !!!!!!

That's the good news. The bad news is that they want the lot-computer and screen-back to issue a full refund, so I will loose my desktop. The good news of that is that I can have now a newer computer with bad news being that it will come with Windows 7  :-(.  I am not big on such a drastic changes especially after not hearing much good about that system.  Well, I suppose its inevitable.

So, now I found out that my trusty TV from Aldi has an AGV connection I will get it plugged in and get on with clearing the hard drive before returning the computer.  Hope it all goes well but if not....you guessed, I will be back ;-)
thanks again for all your help
Stephanie

ps. anyone in need of advice on how to "complain" I am your man 

[Rik]

Hi Stephanie

Good move on your part, but be wary of the fact that they can deduct a 'wear & tear' percentage from the purchase price. My own monitor has a six year warranty, so if it fails after that, consumer rights are irrelevant.

[home102938]

(...)  be wary of the fact that they can deduct a 'wear & tear' percentage from the purchase price . My own monitor has a six year warranty, so if it fails after that, consumer rights are irrelevant.

It did cross my mind that they may do that, so I only asked for a replacement monitor since nothing else is faulty, but with managers blessing    I am to get a full refund (and have that promise documented).  Its a very decent company so I am not expecting any surprises.

As for 6 years, if I got that long out of my monitor I wouldn't think of complaining ;-) Hope yours lasts well beyond that 6 years.

Cheers
Stephanie   

[Rik]

Me too Stephanie.