[dr_dillon]

We have a Dell Inspiron 8300 @ 4 years old. The flat screen monitor recently decided to "black out" for a second or so. It does this on it's own, often. Then after 30 - 45 minutes of computing, it just shuts off and I must manually shut the computer off then wait then turn it back on. This has been happining for about two months now. At first I thought it had to do with using the mouse, but it can happen just while you are watching the screen.
Anyone have any advice for a "fair novice?" Thanks!

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This may not be caused by your monitor, This may be your OS.

Have to tried a different monitor? This could help us figure out if its the monitor or the OS. If it does it on a monitor you know that works, It is your OS. But if not it is your monitor.

Do thats little test and then let us know what happened.

Thanks Poseido

[Poseido]

This may not be caused by your monitor, This may be your OS.

Have to tried a different monitor? This could help us figure out if its the monitor or the OS. If it does it on a monitor you know that works, It is your OS. But if not it is your monitor.

Do thats little test and then let us know what happened.

Thanks Poseido

[dr_dillon]

Hey Thanks so much for the info!

I unplugged the Dell monitor and attached a new Acer we have sitting around (much smaller). It seemed to be the answer, but alas, after 2 - 3 hours of online time, the monitor started "blacking" out for second or two, then back on--not as often as the Dell. Then after another couple of hours it did the "total black out." Just dead--well the monitor just shut down.

Here is some new information though. Previously our speakers were dead but I found a pair to use for the moment. A surprise was that when the screen blacked out that the sound was still coming through (if it makes any difference).

So I had to manually shut down the computer then restart the system just as before with the Dell.

Also, when the system was restarted there was an Error box. Title: Family Safety Unexpected error occured. ERROR: 800705b4 This operation returned because the timeout period expired.

So . . . now what? I really hate to spend a bunch of money on this "fix." I have the ability to follow directions but nervous peering into the guts of the computer. Might it be just an "unplug then replug?"

I so appreciate any help. Thanks again!