Is there hope for this monitor?

[msimmons]

I have a monitor (a 17" dell) at home that when it can get it to turn on it works beutifuly [sic]. Getting it to turn in is the problem. Sometimes I can boot into windows with it off and then turn it on and it will work, other times I have it unplugged until windows boots and then plug it in and it works... but sometimes I try both tricks and the powerlight will come on but stayss amber and the screen will never come on.
Anyone?
thanks,
Michael

[Celest]

Well it's difficult to say, i have heard of problems with some ASUS motherboards (and presumably other manufacturers) that will cause the problem you are describing. The cure for that was to change the PSU to one of a higher wattage so it could take the load.

[msimmons]

The board is a Soyo (which I will never buy from again (long story)) but I don't have any problem w/my normal monitor.

What is PSU (power supply unit?)?
Michael

[Rick Bull]

Yep power supply unit.

[DiGiTalErRoR]

Soyo.

Bad.

:(

[zmerlinz]

make sure that windows is running at a resolution, refresh rate and a colour depth that your monitor supports fully, sounds like you are pushing a few limits and that is why it is struggling, try lowering a few settings and see how that goes first, if not try some newer drivers for your graphics card ??

[msimmons]

Originally posted by Celest
Well it's difficult to say, i have heard of problems with some ASUS motherboards (and presumably other manufacturers) that will cause the problem you are describing. The cure for that was to change the PSU to one of a higher wattage so it could take the load.

The PSU in the computer? I believe it is powerful enough (I can't remember what is it but its at least 300). What would that have to do w/the monitor though?

Michael

DE yup soyo = bad. Their support is worse. They even charged me $15 for them to replace their crap board too... and it still dosen't work.
MS

[msimmons]

Originally posted by zmerlinz
make sure that windows is running at a resolution, refresh rate and a colour depth that your monitor supports fully, sounds like you are pushing a few limits and that is why it is struggling, try lowering a few settings and see how that goes first, if not try some newer drivers for your graphics card ??

but it will never turn on in DOS mode or during boot up so I don't think that is it (will try though)

[zmerlinz]

if the PSU was causing you grief, the other components of the computer would be playing up also, the quick way to check this is to plug your monitor into the wall like the computer, as supposed to using the PSU to power the PC and the monior, this would show you if there were power issues with the PSU

[msimmons]

The monitor is pluged into the wall (and my other monitor works fine) so I don't understand Celest's advise.

[zmerlinz]

Originally posted by msimmons
The monitor is pluged into the wall (and my other monitor works fine) so I don't understand Celest's advise.

have you tried lowering the colour depth and resoloution maybe also the refresh rate ??? what res and colour depth and refresh rate are you currently running at ?

[msimmons]

Originally posted by msimmons
but it will never turn on in DOS mode or during boot up so I don't think that is it (will try though)
Not sure (it's my home computer and I'm at work) but I think im at true color and 75mHz.
Michael

[Celest]

The reason i brought the motherboard into the equation is because there are known faults (or overload protections) with a lot of motherboards. If the PSU wattage isnt big enough it will cut all power to sending a signal to the moniter (thus the moniter will turn on but nothing will appear on the moniter - no signal).

[zmerlinz]

Originally posted by msimmons
Not sure (it's my home computer and I'm at work) but I think im at true color and 75mHz.
Michael

what res, also try dropping the colour depth to 16 bit, you wont notice the difference

how old is the monitor, i know my old one had BIG issues with running at 75Hz, so maybe drop the res when you get back and see how that goes ?

[msimmons]

Originally posted by Celest
The reason i brought the motherboard into the equation is because there are known faults (or overload protections) with a lot of motherboards. If the PSU wattage isnt big enough it will cut all power to sending a signal to the moniter (thus the moniter will turn on but nothing will appear on the moniter - no signal).
Ahh. I understand now. I don't think that is it though cos my other monitor(s) run fine.

Originally posted by zmerlinz
what res, also try dropping the colour depth to 16 bit, you wont notice the difference

how old is the monitor, i know my old one had BIG issues with running at 75Hz, so maybe drop the res when you get back and see how that goes ?
sorry, the res is 1024 x 768. I'm not sure how old the monitor is prolly a few yrs. but being a 17" I would think its new enought to handle what I am giving it.
Michael

[poopyman67]

Did you try hooking up the monitor to another computer, cause if it works on the other one, then theres something wrong with your computer. You might also want to try buying a new connection plug thing, that might help, but Im not sure, so you might want to listen to the other people who know alot more than I do.:rolleyes:

[msimmons]

Originally posted by poopyman67
Did you try hooking up the monitor to another computer...
No but I have had other monitors on that comp w/no problem. This monitor is suspect (got it from a person who had it laying around and couldent remember if it worked). It has actualy been OK for the past two days. Yesterday it worked totaly fine and Tuesday I had to fiddle w/it a bit. I have it on a switchbox with another monitor (a 15") to my computer so when the 17" in question dosen't work I just switch to the 15" but I tried switching back and forth a few times and it kicked in.
I did lower the refresh rate. It was set to 'optimal' so I set it to 60Hz.
Michael

[zmerlinz]

Originally posted by msimmons

I did lower the refresh rate. It was set to 'optimal' so I set it to 60Hz.


and did this help it at all ??

[msimmons]

Originally posted by zmerlinz
and did this help it at all ??

Originally posted by msimmons
It has actualy been OK for the past two days. Yesterday it worked totaly fine and Tuesday I had to fiddle w/it a bit.

:D

[msimmons]

I'm still going to continue to test it before I decide either way (trash it or use it). It is going to be for a computer that I am building my parents for x-mas so I don't want to give them a shaky monitor cos they live about 50 miles away and if it goes out I cannot troubleshoot over the phone. ;)
Michael