monitor shutting off

Question

Hey, I have a Dimmension 4500 desktop I got about a year and a half ago. Last summer, I had bought an additional 40 gb western digital harddrive to install linux (SuSE 8) as a second OS. It was then I when my monitor would just spontaniously go black multiple times each hour. I thought it might have had something to do with linux so I successfully uninstalled SuSE. Well, its been over 6 months now and it still does that. My monitor will just go black (you can even hear a noise the monitor makes when this happens) for 1 or 2 seconds then go right back to what I had on my screen. So, this isn't really a major problem (yet) but just an annoyance. I havent looked at the inside of my computer yet for problems because I thought I could find out what it was here. My guess right now is that maybe I didn't connect the harddrive perfectly. The harddrive still works and I keep all of my music on it. Thanks, anything will help.

BigBrother · Answer

nscribner,

This problem sounds like a monitor problem and does not sound like it is related to installing Linux. Restart the computer using a DOS disk and see if this still happens. If so, then it is not related to the installation of Linux. You would need to call the Dell Techies for a replacement monitor if it is still under warranty.

Steve

BigBrother · Answer

nscribner, Opening the case and installing a second hdd does not void the Dell warranty. Steve

nscribner · Answer

I will try that, but I thought it might have had something to do with the harddrive itself; like I may not have attached it correctly. But would that make sense to asto why my screen just goes black?

Does opening the case and installing a harddrive void the dell warrenty?

nscribner · Answer

Thanks wtl, my computer+monitor are over a year old. Is that passed the dell warrenty? Is there any way I can see if my warrenty is good or voided... I think I lost all the paperwork/warranty information for my computer.

wtl · Answer

Looks like a monitor problem to me.  I had a very very old Gateway 15' monitor (Sony Trinition) that started doing that when it's about 3-4 years old.  It didn't get any worse than once a while black out for one second.  If yours in warranty, by all means have it repaired or replaced.  If not, you probably can live with that unless you play live-or-die games.

BigBrother · Answer

nscribner, Call the Dell Techies and ask them to check your warranty.  Steve

wtl · Answer

From what you said, your monitor came with your computer. You can look up your warranty from dell support web site using service tag number or simply call Dell and ask.

Monitors

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