Monitor issues

Question

Hello everyone,   I have had my computer for almost 2 years and out of no where my monitor started acting up.  It will go blank for no reason  and the on/off switch will flash on and off.  I have found that I need to completely unplug it, let it sit for a minute or two and then plug it back up.  What could be causing this 'short circuit'?

bheisey · Answer

The numbers I use in the U.S. are for big business customers. They won't accept your call there. Home consumers must call 1-800-624-9896

bheisey · Answer

This may not be a monitor issue. You have not mentioned the model of your computer. My guess would be a GX270. We have had 7 of this model act this way due to bulged capacitors on the motherboard. Dell replaced each motherboard because of this known defect. Dell won't replace the board until the units actually go bad. If you open your case and look at the motherboard you will see like little soda can shaped components scattered around the board. Every one of them should have a flat top. If any one of them has a bulged top - it is bad.

bheisey · Answer

The video is part of the motherboard in that model also. It's worth checking the capacitors anyway.

karenanna05 · Answer

I'm sorry, I forgot to include the model.  It is a Dimension 3000 model # CN-0D5421-46633-57G-0WRU.  I don't kow if this changes your answer or not but your help figuring out what is wrong is appreciated.   Thanks

karenanna05 · Answer

Ok I'll do that, thanks.  If that is the problem what department do I contact at Dell to have it fixed?

karenanna05 · Answer

i checked thos soda can looking things and they are all fine, none are bulged.  what should i do now?

DELL-Chris M · Answer

karenanna05,

First, test the monitor by itself.

Plug the monitor power cord directly into the wall socket to remove any surge protectors or APCs from the troubleshooting equation.

* Turn off the monitor
* Unplug the monitor video cable (either the VGA or DVI) from the back of the computer. They should never be connected at the same time to the same video card
* Turn on the monitor
* The floating dialog box should appear on-screen (against a black background). It should continue to move around the screen without blanking out

karenanna05 · Answer

there weren't any changes.  it was working fine for the past year and few months and then all of a sudden on monday the monitor started to go hay wire.

DELL-Chris M · Answer

karenanna05, So your connected to the blue VGA port on the PC? List all the software and/or hardware changes made to the system BEFORE this issue arose.

bheisey · Answer

I would next check the monitor itself.  Take your monitor to a known working PC (perhaps a friends) and connect it. See if it acts up. Borrow someones monitor to connect to your PC and see what happens.   I always have spare parts around to help find the culprit by process of elimination.

karenanna05 · Answer

Thanks, I will try that to see if it helps.

Monitors

Monitor issues

Was this post helpful?