monitor problems at startup

[druj]

I leave my computer on for extended periods of time, and though I reboot often, I don't often ever shut it down and turn it off. Since the last time I moved it, when I turn on all the components via the powerstrip, the monitor will not display. I can hear the pc booting fine. There are no error beeps or anything. If I fiddle with both components for awhile, turning the monitor and cpu on at the same time, eventually (sometimes after one try, sometimes after twenty) the monitor will display the startup routine and everything works fine. I can reboot as many times as I want, and as long as the pc dpesn't get shut down or lose power, the problem doesn't occur. I've switched PCI slots with the video card, and that isn't the problem. the monitor works with another computer, so that isn't the problem. and i've tried the video card in a different computer with a different monitor with no problems. any ideas? it's not a major problem, but i'm planning some upgrading, and I'd like to solve the problem so i'm not going to have to struggle to get the display working after each new component is installed. thanks in advance for any help.

[ixl]

This only happened since you physically moved the machine? If so, that usually means something came loose inside the machine or the monitor. If it always did it, could be that the monitor needs to be turned on before the PC, have seen that before (though it's unusual.)

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[druj]

It's not that it happened necessarily since I moved it. It's happened since I turned it off after being on for about a year continuously. I also just happened to move it as well.

[Paleo Pete]

I would suspect either the power switch in the monitor or the cable going to the computer from the monitor. Use a good aerosol contact cleaner for the power switch, might help in the plug too. Be very careful if you remove the cover from the monitor. It has capacitors and a picture tube that hold HIGH voltage even when shut off, and can hold a charge for days. VERY DANGEROUS!!

You might also remove the memory chips and reseat them. Careful there too, memory chips are most susceptible to static electricity. Clean the contacts on memory chips and video card with a red rubber pencil eraser.

Also, it's a very bad idea to turn on the computer using the switch on the power strip. Someone I know blew a power supply that way...After being told for a long time not to do it. Always use the power switches on the individual components. The power supply uses a "soft power on" that doesn't send sudden full voltage to the board. If you usually leave the computer on 24/7 it should be no big problem, and might take years to show up...Or it might cause trouble tomorrow...


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