Monitor Black Screen?

Moonshine · Jan 17, 2012, 08:21:59

Hi

All of a sudden, with no warning, I turned on my desktop computer, and there is no image on the monitor. I can hear it load, and the fan working, and the Windows logo comes up for a second, but then disappears. If I switch the actual monitor button on and off, it will give me a two second glimpse of the screen, so I know everything has loaded as usual, and can see my desktop picture and all my icons, but then the image disappears. There is no time to click anything, because if I switch the monitor on and off, it only gives me a second or two of what's on the screen.

What I'd like to try and establish, without spending bucketloads of dosh, is what the problem might be. Many of you will know by now that I'm not computer savvy, so speaking to me about video cards and stuff like that means nothing to me, I'm afraid. I am picking up a relative's old monitor later on to check and see if that might be the issue. Obviously, I've checked all the leads, and they're all properly plugged in etc. Could it be something as simple as the monitor or the keyboard, or does it sound like something to do with the graphics or video card, which I wouldn't have a clue how to go about sorting out? I am thinking I'm going to have to call a computer technician out again, which I am loathe to do! Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am using my son's laptop at the moment.

Many thanks

Moonshine.

Glenn · Jan 17, 2012, 08:35:25

If you have a VGA lead from the monitor (it has blue plastic ends) unplug it from the PC and try it on the laptop to see if it displays anything. You may need to look in the laptop manual for a key combo to display to the external screen.

Technical Ben · Jan 17, 2012, 08:36:07

It could be the monitor is broken, it only has enough oomph to turn on for a second. Is it an LCD or a tube monitor?
However, as it has time for the windows logo to come up, it might be the settings are incorrect. Perhaps test the PC with a spare monitor?
It could be something basic like the resolution settings. Can you change any resolution or other settings with the buttons on the monitor?

Also, what model is it?

Moonshine · Jan 17, 2012, 09:00:41

Many thanks for the replies.

It is a bit like spaghetti junction at the back of the computer, so I'll have to check later on. There is a blue lead from the monitor, which appears to be screwed in somehow, which I can't seem to remove easily (?). I am not very confident in unplugging things, so may have to seek help for that. It's an LCD monitor (I think! It's flat, anyhow!!). I will certainly test with a spare monitor tonight, but I'm not holding out a lot of hope. I've tried a few buttons on the monitor, but nothing happens. There is no model make or anything on the monitor at all......bought it seven or so years ago from a company that I bought a ready made computer from (!). With hindsight and all that.....! I do have the motherboard box still though, not sure if it's any help. It says Winfast K7S 741MG, and it's Windows XP. Sorry for vagueness, told you I was useless with this kind of stuff! Thanks. Moonshine.

Simon · Jan 17, 2012, 11:48:31

Will the monitor show if you boot into safe mode?

Simon · Jan 17, 2012, 11:50:14

To answer your next question, usually, you keep tapping F8 as soon as you've heard the first 'beep' when you start the machine from cold.

Simon · Jan 17, 2012, 11:52:36

And the reason I ask is that this happened to me after a Windows Update. I had to roll back using system restore, and let it apply the update again, then it was fine.

Rik · Jan 17, 2012, 11:52:57

I know it's quiet today, Simon, but talking to yourself...

Simon · Jan 17, 2012, 11:54:06

No one else usually listens anyway.

Rik · Jan 17, 2012, 11:54:48

Simon · Jan 17, 2012, 11:57:16

As Arkwright said, "

If I can help some bare... b... body....

"

pctech · Jan 17, 2012, 12:01:14

Rik · Jan 17, 2012, 12:06:26

Quote from: Simon on Jan 17, 2012, 11:57:16
As Arkwright said, " If I can help some bare... b... body.... "

But he was specific in his desire.

pctech · Jan 17, 2012, 12:08:16

A very funny series was that.

Rik · Jan 17, 2012, 12:09:19

Absolute classic.

Moonshine · Jan 17, 2012, 14:16:21

Quote from: Simon on Jan 17, 2012, 11:50:14
To answer your next question, usually, you keep tapping F8 as soon as you've heard the first 'beep' when you start the machine from cold.

I'll try that later on once I've tried another monitor. And thanks for pre-empting my next question.....it would have been exactly that!!

Moonshine · Jan 17, 2012, 14:20:26

Quote from: Moonshine on Jan 17, 2012, 14:16:21
I'll try that later on once I've tried another monitor. And thanks for pre-empting my next question.....it would have been exactly that!!

Actually, I forgot to add.....how do I take it out of safe mode afterwards?

Rik · Jan 17, 2012, 14:31:38

Just re-boot.

BrianM · Jan 17, 2012, 18:46:46

I had just the same problem a few months ago, PC booting up then the 6 years old LCD monitor staying on for a few seconds then, blank. Tried my old CR Tube monitor and everything was ok. It seems (so I was told) the backlight tube in the LCD monitor had packed in, I found it more convienient to buy a new monitor instead of a repair.

Niall · Jan 17, 2012, 19:33:38

Yeah, there are three things that spring to mind with this problem.

1) The monitor is defective as mentioned above.
2) The graphics card is kaput
3) The PC is set to a resolution the monitor cannot handle so will briefly show windows screen, then apply the settings which is outside the monitors ability. Not sure if newer monitors actually allow this, as I tried it not long ago and it defaulted back to native resolution. I imagine this is why entering safe mode has been suggested above

Simon · Jan 17, 2012, 21:05:30

No, safe mode was suggested as the problem I had was that Windows Update had updated the graphics drivers, but something had obviously gone wrong. By rolling back to before the update, I was able to view the screen again, and reapplying the update was successful the second time.

home102938 · Jan 17, 2012, 21:19:28

Moonshine,
What you described happening to your monitor sound exactly like what had happened to mine back in September. It was discussed here, maybe you will find some of it helpful.

In the end, after trying all suggestions and confident that it was indeed a monitor problem - as computer worked fine when connected to the laptop - I had to get a new one.
Got a nice liyama ProLite, it does what I needed it to do

and it was quite reasonably priced.

Good luck and hope you get yours sorted soon

Ps. I am not technical enough myself so can only "safely" share my experience and would not even dream of advising - that I leave the "specialists" here

pctech · Jan 17, 2012, 22:24:46

Would concur that your monitor is not long for this world.

Had a similar issue with a very nice Xerox LCD monitor I had for 5 years, only instead of going black it died by white out, it appeared for a few seconds then the whole screen went white.

I ended up getting a cheap Acer LCD monitor and then at the end of last year treated myself to a nice 23 inch Samsung LED Widescreen High Definition display.

Moonshine · Jan 17, 2012, 23:27:25

Good evening all

Thanks so much for all the valuable input.

Well, the good news is my computer monitor is working again!! I borrowed an old monitor from a relative, and it worked. However, I didn't like the monitor much, it seemed bulky and a bit blurry, so I thought I'd see if my old monitor worked with the leads from the borrowed monitor, and hey presto, my monitor is back up and running! It must have been faulty leads or a connection not happening properly with the leads somehow, but I'm over the moon to have my old monitor ticking away again.

I really appreciate everyone's suggestions and advice; it's good to know where to come when things don't run smoothly. If only the aggro in my personal life could be ironed out as easily...!!!!!

Moonshine.

Simon · Jan 17, 2012, 23:35:36

Glad it's sorted.

Rik · Jan 18, 2012, 10:48:45

We tend to forget leads can fail.

Technical Ben · Jan 18, 2012, 15:47:38

True. Mind you, some leads are not removable (at least on older monitors I've seen). So checking the whole monitor first, then the cable second, if your not able to do the first check.

pctech · Jan 18, 2012, 16:19:54

My old Xerox monitor had a fixed (captive) cable.