My Monitor...

Thu Dec 29, 2005 8:26 am

Well, my monitor died on me today. I was in the middle of making a graphic, and suddenly, it started going all fuzzy and wierd like. There were lines and everything. So I restarted my computer.

Same problem.

I can still see a bit though, as in, I can still make out some distorted words. I went to the device manager and found my video adapter isn't working.

After mucking about, I cant really remember what I did because I was really frustrated at the time, now my monitor doesn't even recieve a signal from the modem. And when it does, it's just a really funny two-three or whatever color pattern. Like a grid. You cant see anything.

What can I do?

Thu Dec 29, 2005 12:56 pm

Turn of your computer - unplug the monitor cable on your PC and re-plug it back in - this will cure a loose cable connection. Thats the first step. next is to turn on the PC. does it happen in DOS during bootup or just in windows?
if it doesnt happen in DOS (the black screen with all the stuff scrolling on it), then its a windows driver issue. if it does happen in DOS, could be that you need to replace your video card. Let me know what happens whe you re-seat the cable and turn on your PC

Thu Dec 29, 2005 7:56 pm

freddyflinstone wrote:Turn of your computer - unplug the monitor cable on your PC and re-plug it back in - this will cure a loose cable connection. Thats the first step. next is to turn on the PC. does it happen in DOS during bootup or just in windows?
if it doesnt happen in DOS (the black screen with all the stuff scrolling on it), then its a windows driver issue. if it does happen in DOS, could be that you need to replace your video card. Let me know what happens whe you re-seat the cable and turn on your PC

It still does happen in all the booting up and whatnot.

Fri Dec 30, 2005 2:43 am

then its 1 of 2 things that could be causing it, its either the monitor itself is dying, or the video card on the PC has problems. Only way to know that is to either change the video card in the PC (harder option) or try a different monitor on your PC

Fri Dec 30, 2005 3:29 am

I only have one monitor.

Fri Dec 30, 2005 4:41 am

freddyflinstone wrote:...or try a different monitor on your PC

Or you could also try a different PC on your monitor

That's if you have another PC in your house, of course. Failing that, maybe you could cart your monitor over to a friendly neighbour's place, to test it on their PC... if it's possible.

Fri Dec 30, 2005 7:24 am

there couldn't be a possible way to use the laptop as a monitor, is there?

Fri Dec 30, 2005 11:05 am

Hmm... not sure. You could almost definitely plug the monitor into the laptop, though. It wouldn't be helpful in terms of letting you use the PC, but it might help you work out whether it's the PC or the monitor that's the problem

Fri Dec 30, 2005 5:03 pm

Heh...sounds like you got magnets too close to your monitor.

But yes, try the laptop thing. That'll definately help you (and us) figure out what's causing the problem.

Fri Dec 30, 2005 9:54 pm

Alright, my monitor displayed the laptop for a second while starting up, then the image switched back to the laptop monitor.

Fri Dec 30, 2005 10:47 pm

You have to change which is the active monitor in the display preferences.

1. Right-click on the laptop's desktop, then go to "Properties."

2. Go to the "Settings" tab.

3. Go down to "display," and it'll give you two options. Pick the one that it's not currently on.

4. It should say, "Are you sure you want to do this?" or something like that. Hit "Yes."

Sat Dec 31, 2005 3:25 am

WIS wrote:Alright, my monitor displayed the laptop for a second while starting up, then the image switched back to the laptop monitor.

most laptops require you to press the corresponding function key etc to get it to display on the external monitor

function & f5 is the default for most laptops

Mon Jan 02, 2006 12:17 am

Alright, it works... so does that mean I should go get a new graphics card?

Mon Jan 02, 2006 2:32 am

Well, first make sure that this card is in properly (sometimes they may wiggle out enough to cause a problem.).

Then (if that doesn't work) make sure you have the right updated driver for your card. Which is easier said than done without a "working" monitor.

Mon Jan 02, 2006 5:54 am

cat1205123 wrote:
Then (if that doesn't work) make sure you have the right updated driver for your card. Which is easier said than done without a "working" monitor.

When I had limited visibility of the screen, I downloaded a driver. But I never got around to installing it. (It died soon after)