Monitor recommendations?

I need some help here—my monitor is plugged into my PC just fine, and everything boots up normally, but when I try to turn the screen on, it stays active for maybe a few seconds before the image just vanishes. It goes completely black. If I power cycle it, the picture pops back up for a split second and then dies again. I've already checked the cables, so it’s definitely not a wiring issue. I need a fix FAST!!!!!!

Are you 100% sure it isn't just a faulty DVI-to-VGA cable? If you've already ruled that out, then we're likely looking at an issue with the monitor itself or maybe the graphics card.

Larry Ortiz5 said:Are you 100% sure it isn't just a faulty DVI-to-VGA cable? If you've already ruled that out, then we're likely looking at an issue with the monitor itself or maybe the graphics card.

I'm positive it's not the cable—and it's definitely not the graphics card since this rig is brand new, so there's zero chance there. I just need to know where I can take it for service—the monitor is a Samsung.

It doesn't really matter if the PC is brand new. If you actually want some help here, you've got to give us some specs—where are you even located?

What I’d suggest is testing the rig with a different monitor. Just plug a different screen into your computer and see if the same issues pop up. If they do, then you're looking at a problem with the tower itself. Since you mentioned the build is new, you should still be covered under warranty, so just send it off to a repair center.

Eric Myers5 said:I'm positive it's not the cable—and it's definitely not the graphics card since this rig is brand new, so there's zero chance there. I just need to know where I can take it for service—the monitor is a Samsung.

This is great. Asks for advice and then ignores everything smart people suggest—classic. 👏

Look, if the machine is new, take it back to the store for a warranty claim. Why on earth would you try to fix it yourself? You should have a warranty.

And as for repairs, they need to go to an authorized service center. We could actually give you a recommendation if we knew what city you were even living in...

Look, I already know it’s not the PC—I hooked up my old desktop to this monitor and the exact same thing happens. The screen flickers on for maybe a second or two and then just goes pitch black—it totally dies. If I cycle the power, it does the same damn thing again. I just need to know what is actually wrong with the monitor itself and how to fix it!

Just to be safe, take a close look at the connector on your monitor cable. If you're using VGA, those pins are notorious for bending out of shape. If that’s what happened, you’ve got to be incredibly careful when trying to straighten them out because they snap way too easily. You might even want to apply a little heat to the area before trying to nudge them back into place with some tweezers or something similar. Honestly, though, maybe just hand it off to someone who actually knows what they're doing.

I would have initially suspected that the issue lies within the monitor's internal power supply unit, specifically regarding the inverter stage where the feedback circuit triggers an automatic shutdown via the Over Voltage Protection or Over Current Protection lines—a common occurrence when a failing lamp causes instability in older CCFL-based displays.

Brandon Morales said:I would have initially suspected that the issue lies within the monitor's internal power supply unit, specifically regarding the inverter stage where the feedback circuit triggers an automatic shutdown via the Over Voltage Protection or Over Current Protection lines—a common occurrence when a failing lamp causes instability in older CCFL-based displays.

If I'm reading this correctly, the entire monitor is shutting down, not just the backlight.
Either way, the power supply is faulty.

No, the whole monitor doesn't shut off—it's just that the image vanishes while the screen itself stays powered on.

Consequently, certain diagnostic measurements ought to be conducted in order to pinpoint the exact nature of the malfunction. Should you possess both the necessary technical equipment and the inclination to undertake this task personally, we may proceed further; however, if you find yourself ill-equipped, it would be prudent to hire a qualified specialist.