IDNetters Forums

Technical News & Discussion => Windows News & Discussion => Topic started by: TheMonkey on Dec 07, 2007, 15:57:33

Title: Monitor problems
Post by: TheMonkey on Dec 07, 2007, 15:57:33
sorry if this is in the wrong section and that i can't ask this sort of question but I'm just looking for a bit of help really.

My HP 19w has decided to randomly lose signal. PC itself stays on as if it doesn't know whats happened. I have run spybot, ad-aware, I've scanned the drive with avast. some stuff have been removed but its still happening.

ironically two weeks a go it wouldn't turn on, and now it decides to turn itself off.

can anyone help? all wires seem to be fine in the back and its not set on my computer to auto turn off after a certain time.

thanks for your help
Title: Re: Monitor problems
Post by: Rik on Dec 07, 2007, 16:03:30
Feel free to ask anything you like - if we can, we'll try to help. :)

Do you have access to another computer you could try the monitor on (or another monitor you could try on your computer)? Often the simplest way to trouble-shoot is by elimination, and that would quickly determine whether the issue was monitor (or maybe cable) or graphics card/computer. The other thing to try would be a new cable, if you have one around.

Is the power light staying illuminated on the monitor, can you see any signs of the backlight?
Title: Re: Monitor problems
Post by: TheMonkey on Dec 07, 2007, 16:13:01
Quote from: Rik on Dec 07, 2007, 16:03:30
Feel free to ask anything you like - if we can, we'll try to help. :)

Do you have access to another computer you could try the monitor on (or another monitor you could try on your computer)? Often the simplest way to trouble-shoot is by elimination, and that would quickly determine whether the issue was monitor (or maybe cable) or graphics card/computer. The other thing to try would be a new cable, if you have one around.

Is the power light staying illuminated on the monitor, can you see any signs of the backlight?

thanks for the speedy reply rik,

yeah, there is still a powerlight. its like when you unplug the wire going from computer to monitor, "no signal".

I could get my dads monitor and give that a go but i think i'd probably try that last because its so random when it turns off, i'd need it for a couple of days, and i think he'll need it.

or do you think thats where you'd start first? If its something as simple as a dodgy monitor, i don't want to waste my time doing other stuff :D

all my drivers are up to date too.
Title: Re: Monitor problems
Post by: Rik on Dec 07, 2007, 16:17:44
If the power light is on, and the computer isn't complaining (not that you'd be able to see without a monitor!), then there are three main possibilities: (1) The monitor circuitry has gone intermittent, (2) The cable is faulty or (3) The graphics card has a problem. Outside of workshop conditions, the best way to test is to swap monitor & cable. If that cures the problem, then try the original monitor on the new cable. If that works, it's the cable, if the problem returns it's the monitor, if the problem persists with the new monitor and cable, it has to be the graphics card.
Title: Re: Monitor problems
Post by: TheMonkey on Dec 07, 2007, 16:29:00
cool thats great rik, i'll pick myself up a new lead first and give that a go. fingers crossed  ;D
Title: Re: Monitor problems
Post by: Rik on Dec 07, 2007, 16:30:18
I have, it's why my typing is so bad. ;)
Title: Re: Monitor problems
Post by: cavillas on Dec 07, 2007, 17:44:14
Also the graphics card can sometimes move slightly from its socket and cause a similar result.  Check that it is in tightly.
Title: Re: Monitor problems
Post by: Ted on Dec 08, 2007, 19:14:41
 Try what has been suggested by (listen to Rik) others, but also to what  cavillas said, i had the same problem, drove me nuts. The card wasn't, just, quite pushed in far enough!!
I blame the person who built it !!
Oh, that was me then.  :-[ :-[
Title: Re: Monitor problems
Post by: cavillas on Dec 08, 2007, 19:26:54
I done that as well, that's how I know it can happen. :-[
Title: Re: Monitor problems
Post by: Simon on Dec 08, 2007, 21:44:23
It can also happen if the case is knocked by hoovering, or whatever.  I quite frequently accidentally bash mine with my knee, just because of where it is, but I've been lucky nothing has come adrift so far.
Title: Re: Monitor problems
Post by: Gary on Dec 08, 2007, 23:28:45
Quote from: cavillas on Dec 08, 2007, 19:26:54
I done that as well, that's how I know it can happen. :-[
Snap  ;D I had that issue had to push the card in a little further to seat it properly
Title: Re: Monitor problems
Post by: Gary on Dec 08, 2007, 23:30:25
Quote from: Simon on Dec 08, 2007, 21:44:23
It can also happen if the case is knocked by hoovering, or whatever.  I quite frequently accidentally bash mine with my knee, just because of where it is, but I've been lucky nothing has come adrift so far.
I take mine apart every two months to de cat fur it inside with a can of air, and I always check as I bang mine with my knee often as well
Title: Re: Monitor problems
Post by: Simon on Dec 08, 2007, 23:43:35
How does the cat get inside it?  ;D
Title: Re: Monitor problems
Post by: Gary on Dec 09, 2007, 00:10:44
Quote from: Simon on Dec 08, 2007, 23:43:35
How does the cat get inside it?  ;D
:grn: They sit in front of it so often it acts like a cat hoover Simon ;D
Title: Re: Monitor problems
Post by: Rik on Dec 09, 2007, 00:21:14
Quote from: Simon on Dec 08, 2007, 21:44:23
I quite frequently accidentally bash mine with my knee, just because of where it is

So that's not on your leg like the rest of us, Simon? :)
Title: Re: Monitor problems
Post by: Gary on Dec 09, 2007, 00:28:04
Quote from: Rik on Dec 09, 2007, 00:21:14
So that's not on your leg like the rest of us, Simon? :)
:rofl: :karmic:
Title: Re: Monitor problems
Post by: Inactive on Dec 09, 2007, 00:32:40
This could be catastrophic. ;)
Title: Re: Monitor problems
Post by: cavillas on Dec 09, 2007, 09:36:16
By the way,  How is the OP getting on witih his monitor now? :dv:
Title: Re: Monitor problems
Post by: Gary on Dec 09, 2007, 09:59:11
I'm guessing since we have not see him, maybe he can't see us Alf
Title: Re: Monitor problems
Post by: cavillas on Dec 09, 2007, 10:01:57
You could be right Gary.
Title: Re: Monitor problems
Post by: Ted on Dec 09, 2007, 12:06:19
Sounds like he's had a bit of luck then ;D
Title: Re: Monitor problems
Post by: Rik on Dec 09, 2007, 12:08:09
I see you've got the feel for this place then, Ted. :)
Title: Re: Monitor problems
Post by: Inactive on Dec 09, 2007, 12:16:21
Or it may well be that he has elected not to monitor the situation. ;)
Title: Re: Monitor problems
Post by: cavillas on Dec 09, 2007, 12:19:44
Perhaps he's hiding behind a rock like the lizard...come on keep up at the back. ;D :back:
Title: Re: Monitor problems
Post by: TheMonkey on Dec 09, 2007, 12:23:47
hi guys, i have my spare lead and i'm just waiting for it to turn off again.

It hasn't done it again yet so i'm still waiting  ::)

typical
Title: Re: Monitor problems
Post by: Rik on Dec 09, 2007, 12:29:20
That's the joy of intermittent faults - when you do something which might cure them, they go and hide until they've lulled you into a false sense of security.  >:D
Title: Re: Monitor problems
Post by: TheMonkey on Dec 10, 2007, 07:26:45
I know, its some sort of mean trick i think  :D

still waiting for it to turn off BTW. doh
Title: Re: Monitor problems
Post by: Glenn on Dec 10, 2007, 09:08:27
Quote from: TheMonkey on Dec 09, 2007, 12:23:47
hi guys, i have my spare lead and i'm just waiting for it to turn off again.

It hasn't done it again yet so i'm still waiting  ::)

typical

So its purring along happily
Title: Re: Monitor problems
Post by: TheMonkey on Dec 10, 2007, 09:58:13
no, its waiting to catch me out when i'm doing something important  ;D

sneaky sneaky
Title: Re: Monitor problems
Post by: Rik on Dec 10, 2007, 10:00:15
Computers are like that.  :o
Title: Re: Monitor problems
Post by: TheMonkey on Jan 28, 2008, 13:15:31
the thread is back from the dead  :-[

it finally started again and i changed the wire connecting the monitor to the pc but it did not cure it.

what next? try and do something with my graphics drivers?

thanks
Title: Re: Monitor problems
Post by: Rik on Jan 28, 2008, 13:19:06
I think it's less likely to be drivers from the symptoms. I'd be inclined to remove and re-seat the graphics card as a next step.
Title: Re: Monitor problems
Post by: TheMonkey on Jan 28, 2008, 13:25:06
okie dokie, i'll try that next. thanks rik. than will teach me to buy a packard bell  :-[
Title: Re: Monitor problems
Post by: Rik on Jan 28, 2008, 13:29:24
You might think that...  >:D
Title: Re: Monitor problems
Post by: Malc on Jan 28, 2008, 13:56:08
I had this once and new drivers for the monitor and graphics card cured mine, did them both together, so don't know which one worked. Good luck