Monitor Help!

[Why Syzygy]

I am typing thi on a monitor that is flashing on and off. A few months ago, I had trouble turning it on, so I started leaving it on ll the time. (Forgive any typos.. I can't proof.) I know my way around a bit, and can locate the mouse between flashes. Sunday morning, after I left it on, when I got up, it was off. Now when the on button is pushed, as soon as the light/picture comes on, it shuts itself off and on and off and on. I can t. I an turn it off, but it won't stay on.

What should I do? I'll go to the library tomorrow and use their pc. Is this something worth taking to a shop when I can replace it for about $100? It is Samsung HF 06800-K2331... ugh I've only had it to two years. Are we into the age of disposable monitors? It is FINE if it wouldjust stay on. Well, wish I could see ya'll. Now to find the post key.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

1. If it's two years old, it probably doesn't have a warranty still?

There's probably a short in the power button, and you'll need to take the monitor apart to look for loose wires that may be causing the short. Usually that voids any warranty, so if you still have that, see if you can get it replaced or repaired for free. Otherwise, you're good to go - just be careful when working with the innards of monitors. In general, it's best to unplug it for 10 or 15 minutes before you work on it. Also, make sure that you're grounded before working on any part of it that's not normally exposed to the world.

[Why Syzygy]

2. How much do you think someone would

charge to fix? I took one screw out and then saw the electrocusion warning. Don't I need a special equipment thingie to ground myself? I am so scared of electrical stuff.

Quite an adventure this is. The flashes have allowed me to move around on DU some. I have the program Read Pleased. So, I managed to copy and paste your reply into it and hear what your wrote! If I didn't know where some of the features are at DU, I wouldn't know what is on the screen. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.

Bottom line, I might be too afraid. Unless there is an easy way to ground? I never got into hardware issues for this very sreason. But, if it saves me $100, I've got to attempt it. Besides the screws on the back, there are little rubber plugs. I tried to pry the button off. I could probably do it with more effort.

Thanks for your reply. Typos inevitable...

And finding the mouse on a blinking screen is getting me high I think.. Alternative universe.

[HappyCynic]

3. Grounding

I'm not sure how much it would cost to fix but the grounding issue is quite simple. The easiest way to ground yourself is to touch your computer case, assuming you have a standard steel case. If you have carpet, try not to move around too much when working and touch your case every now and then to get rid of any charge that's built up.

[Why Syzygy]

5. Wood floors.

The case may be plastic. Gateway circa 2002. Would it help to wear laytex gloves? ... Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's plastic. But I'll be opening the monitor? It's been awhile, but the guys used to wear some kind of arm band or sometithing. I'm going to shop tomorrow. Wish I was more of a hardware person.

[HappyCynic]

13. Bands

I'm not sure about the latex gloves. The arm bands were primarily for the clean labs where they were dealing with more sensitive components (not the finished products) and couldn't really stop to occasionally ground themselves. All you really need is something large and metal to ground you (metal furniture, baseboard heaters, etc.). Failing all that, the protruding corners in your house are probably reinforced with a bit of metal. So, just sit near one of these corners (or with your back right against it) while you work and occasionally touch the corner.
The office I previously worked in (still with same company, we just moved) had horrendous static problems. Whenever I walked around the office and passed through one of those doorless doorways (can't really think of what to call it, I hope you know what I'm talking about), I would brush my shoulder against it to discharge the built up static. It probably looked like I was always bumping into the walls but it worked (and let the discharge go through my shoulder, where it's less painful).

[struggle4progress]

4. I'd buy a new one, if the monitor really is the problem. Modern equipment frequently

is cheaper to replace than repair.

[Why Syzygy]

7. That's how I was thinking ..

but that means that we are in the age of disposable electornics. I don't like it. It should last more than two years. And I didn't even touch the button. Ileave it on.

What do you mean IF it is the monitor. I've thought about it being something from the system, but I wouldn't know what and that would be much worse. I don't have funds to replace. What else would be a possibility?

[struggle4progress]

8. I'm no expert. If you've regularly unplugged and replugged the cable into the computer,

you might double-check whether a problem has developed with the cable or the port; same if (for example) you'd tripped over the cable or otherwise yanked it by accident recently. That's probably not the case, but if you haven't checked for basic stuff like that, you should of course check. I've sometimes wasted hours on some stupid junk like that

Could you have a virus? That is, do you regularly run an anti-virus program?

Does the OS have a way to calibrate the display?

There may be lots of possibilities. You may have tried everything sensible already. If not, I'd try what I could do easily, and if that didn't work I'd buy a new (returnable) monitor (or borrow one) and see if that solved the problem. If it doesn't, you'll ask more fun questions, like: Could a BIOS setting be wrong (say, because of a dying battery)? :shrug: But if you, as user, guess it's the monitor, you're probably right.

My "get a new one" comment is based on several miserable experiences with modern electronics: my oven touchpad died, and I spent months trying to find someone to replace it; the upshot was that replacement touchpads cost about 50% of a new oven, had to be ordered from abroad, had no warranty, were non-returnable, and had a high failure rate -- so the repair folk wanted me to buy the replacement pad, cuz they didn't want to take the financial hit if it failed

[Why Syzygy]

11. I thought of virus because

I had a mchine issue the night before, but finally chalked it up to bad Avira update. Avira has started demanding a restart on updates. I watched several hours of Heroes over the weekend, and when Avira wanted to update, it slowed the video down and glitched. So I ok'd the update, but then the machine was almost unreponsive altogether. So. . I stopped everything to reboot. That resolved the video/browsing issues. Also when the flashing started, I ran a virus and malware scan. It slipped my mind that I intended to run Windows OneCare to rule out any registry faults. I'll do that today. The cables get very little contact with any outside sources. New puppy has been back there a few times. I've removed them from the monitor when I was going to open it. I'll double check the plug into box, it was tight. I went to bed really late/early Sunday, and it seems like there was something unusual on the screen. I was so tired, I looked at it, and decided it was okay. I had suspended screen saver to watch videos. Now I cannot remember what it was :( x( But the display is obviously okay now, xcept for the flashing! And since I had the prior issue with the power button, and it staying on, it does seem reasonable that it's th ebutton. Thanks for all your input.

edit: I just spoke with a repair tech who told me it would be cheaper to replace. (I'm not having nearly the success today with dealing with the flashing as last night.) :blink:

[Warpy]

14. I sincerely doubt it's anything as easy as a cold solder

connection at the button. It's much more likely a failed part internally. The on/off flashing signaled it was sick. Now that it's pretty much off all the time means it's finally dead.

Replace it. You just had the bad luck to get a monitor with a borderline part somewhere in it. If you take it to a recycling center, it might end up in the hands of someone who can fix it and sell it instead of a landfill, probably by salvaging the screen and stuffing all new electronics into it.

And that's really the best you can do at this point.

[Duer 157099]

6. You don't say whether it's an LCD or not

If LCD, the most common problem is that the backlight bulb is burning out. It can be replaced if you are technically inclined and do some Googling. Costs about $10 to buy a new bulb.

However, the second most common issue is the power transformer.

So diagnosis would be the first thing to do -- Google will also help with that, if you want to go down that road.

Check Craigslist, there are always inexpensive monitors there

[canetoad]

9. Long shot but possible

Check the power cables. Try another one if you have one, the monitor cable too (if it is detachable).

A broken wire that is just barely touching could be the culprit. Caused by being bent or pinched, caught behind furniture. Dogs and cats have been known to chew them......

Edit: Replied to wrong post - meant to be Why Syzygy's post no. 7

[bew]

10. Check with Samsung

Samsung monitors generally have a 3 year warranty. I just had mine repaired by them at age 2 years 10 months, and they even paid to have it shipped to their repair depot.

So, check out Samsung's website and open a problem ticket - cheaper than buying a new (used) one, and no need to trash the old one. ; )

[Why Syzygy]

12. Hope I'm replying to the right post.

Haven't made it to the library yet. Well, yeehoo. I have the warranty. It is for three years! Unfortunately, I don't have the original receipt, dumb because I usually staple them to the warranty. Perhaps Samsung will accept bank records or take my word for it. I wil try that. Meanwhile, someone has offered to give me one, I think. :D I hope my whining has resulted in a $100 savings lol Thanks to all.. onward