monitor problem

[dzta]

My silly monitor gets really Bright and sometimes really dull without me manually adjusting the brightness and contrast buttons, someone said it is a problem with the power supply or something, therefore i should get something like an adapter or what?? That was what he suggested and i am not fully convinced of his explaination. I think it is my video card but not really sure, therefore i need some suggestion from you guys the experts?

[PrntRhd]

This is easy, try another monitor on your PC. If it changes, it is the PC. If it doesn't it is time to replace the monitor.

[pangea33]

I totally agree with PrntRhd, but have a couple questions. How old is your monitor? Is it a CRT? Does it sometimes color shift so that the picture is heavily red or blue? Every time I've seen anything like that, the monitor was on the way out.

I've seen monitors like this last for months, and look pretty good most of the time. If you're saving for an upgrade, your current monitor won't necessarily die on you right away.

[dzta]

well the problem is i dont have any more monitors around to test ,

[Norden]

I totally agree with PrntRhd, but have a couple questions. How old is your monitor? Is it a CRT? Does it sometimes color shift so that the picture is heavily red or blue? Every time I've seen anything like that, the monitor was on the way out.

I've seen monitors like this last for months, and look pretty good most of the time. If you're saving for an upgrade, your current monitor won't necessarily die on you right away.
--CRT doesnot necessarily pop up such a problem,
--something wrong with the color guns is also in my guess
--it may be a problem with the age, but it's just the same opinion though.

[korky45]

You have not said how old the monitor is, or what sort of video card you have installed. Nor why you think it is the video card - you could try another video card but you will probably say you dont have one.

My first thoughts would be the monitor is on the way out - it may be worth repairing depending on how old it is. Try to give more information about your PC and more detail about the fault.

[Paleo Pete]

--CRT doesnot necessarily pop up such a problem,

What do you mean by that comment? The information posted was correct, I've seen and owned several CRT monitors that would show several different symptoms when dying of old age-

brighter then darker,
clear then out of focus,
change colors,
screen area shrunk till only 80% of available screen area or less is used,
flicker sporadically or simply blink off then come back on after cooling

You might be right about the color guns, but I think that would probably result in a tinted screen-too much red, green etc. Getting brighter then darker could be color guns I suppose, I suspect either the CRT tube itself or the flyback transformer. One of the transistors could be getting hot too.

In any case, DO NOT OPEN THE MONITOR. Don't even think about it. Don't let anyone fool you into thinking it's safe, monitors contain the CRT (picture tube) and capacitors that can and do hold up to 30,000 volts for several months after being unplugged. That is lethal...DEADLY...if you touch the wrong contacts. If the shock doesn't kill you, the wall 20 feet away will cause serious injuries when you are slammed against it. Again, DO NOT OPEN THE MONITOR.

Either way it sounds like it's seen better days, maybe dzta could borrow a monitor from someone for an hour or so? That's actually the best way to confirm monitor problems, try a different one. Try the monitor in question on a different computer too, if it acts the same it probably is going bad but that does not definitely confirm anything, just increases your suspicions.

[korky45]

I endorse everything Paleo Pete has said about safety. I also should have made it clear in my earlier post don't open up a monitor unless you are qualified to do so. The voltages are different in the UK but equally leathal whichever side of the Atlantic you live.

Incidentally, AC votage won't throw you against the wall like DC will - it hangs on to you and fries you where you stand until the fuses blow - so be warned.