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I have a Dell desktop with an LCD display. Last few months, the display flashes between black and grey. We have to hit it on top to get it to work. This will happen a few more times but then the monitor will continue to work as long as we are working on the computer. We have to do the same things over again once we leave the computer for over 2-3 hours. What could be wrong? Is it the display or is it the graphics card or some other thing? Thanks
I saw something similar happen once. It was the only time in 25 years I've seen a VGA cable go bad. I carried a replacement monitor in and found the symptom remained, surprising me greatly. Changed the VGA cable (1 pound) instead of the 21" CRT monitor (~80 pounds). I learned a lesson that day.
Poor connections or bent pins will cause display problems. Sometimes just removing and replacing the connector will create a better connection and resolve issues.
Thanks for all the replies. I will try replacing the cable and also check the connection pins (I am at work now). As for describing the problem in more detail, here goes: If the computer has been idle for a long time (2-3 hrs, in my best estimation), no matter what stage it was in (standby, hibernate etc..) the LCD screen will start to flicker. It flickers between completely dark and the grey backlit kind of screen. The frequency is very regular. If you smack it on top a few times the display comes on with the logo of the display manufacturer. My wife has a theory that you have to smack it just when the LED power on light comes on(the LED power indicator flickers with the display) but I don't really subscribe to the theory. The display will likely start to flicker again but will work continuously after a while, almost as if it needed to be warmed up.Thanks again..
Check the power saving options. I bet you have the monitor set to turn off after a given period of time. Change that to Never and see if it helps. Let the screen saver do the work.
Right-click desktop/Properties/Screen Saver/power/Turn off monitor.
Just an update: My LCD monitor's cable is hard-wired to the monitor. So trying out another cable is not possible. The pins on the other end looks good. I changed the screen saver setting such that the monitor is never powered off. That hasn't fixed the problem either. Thanks for all the replies again..
Just an update: My LCD monitor's cable is hard-wired to the monitor. So trying out another cable is not possible. The pins on the other end looks good. I changed the screen saver setting such that the monitor is never powered off. That hasn't fixed the problem either. Thanks for all the replies again..
I believe it's time for a new monitor. I wouldn't be surprised if yours has failing capacitors, common issue. I've repaired quite a few monitors and mothorboards that have this issue.
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