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Dell flat-panel monitor keeps turning off


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#1
s0nginmyheart

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Hi all,

Recently, my Dell flat-panel monitor has been turning off on its own (green power light does not light on). I'll push the power button back on and the screen will come back on for a split second and then turn right back off. On some tries, it doesn't even come back on.

I tried plugging the monitor power cord into another outlet and I am still havintg the same issues. I do not have an extra monitor to test to see if the problems occurs with another monitor.

I don't know if the monitor is overheating, if that's even possible? Or if it just old and needs replacing. The monitor is probably ~5 years old. Right now, I've left the computer shut off for a few hours, and I haven't had this problem recur tonight, yet.

I don't see a model # on the screen but if anyone needs additional information I can gladly try to provide.

Thanks in advance~
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#2
Digerati

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When troubleshooting display problems like this, it really is best to swap monitors with another computer because at this point, you don't know if your monitor is shutting off on its own, or if a failing graphics card (or motherboard, if on-board) is causing the monitor to power off. If the problem follows your monitor to the 2nd computer, then you know it is your monitor. But if the 2nd monitor does the same thing on your computer, you know the problem is with the graphics solution in your computer. Swapping monitors is the only way to determine if the monitor is bad, or the computer.

Monitors do go bad, but not as often as something in the computer.

There should be a label on the back of the monitor with the make, model, and serial number.
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#3
s0nginmyheart

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Hi,

I haven't been able to swap in another monitor, as most people I know are with laptops.

Now, the problem is getting progressively worse. I haven't had the monitor turn off by itself lately, but now when I turn the computer on, the monitor kind of flickers with horizontal lines... is this a monitor problem or a video card problem, or something else? If anyone has any insight, I'd appreciate it. I just want to make sure I'm buying the right replacement part (monitor vs video card...)

The Dell Monitor model is E171FPB
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#4
Digerati

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is this a monitor problem or a video card problem, or something else?

The same answer applies. There is no way to be certain if this is a card/computer problem, or a monitor problem until one or the other is isolated. This can only be done by swapping out monitors. You have no choice here if you want to be certain before laying down your money, unless you just want to guess and take your chances, but I can offer no insight as to which guess is better. If you cannot find anyone that is willing to swap monitors for 2 minutes, you will need to take it to shop.

In the meantime, make sure all your cables are securely fastened. Unplug the power supply from the wall, open the side panel and make sure the interior is clean of heat trapping dust. While in there, make sure the card is secure in it's slot, and all power connections are secure.

Do note that the primary purpose of notebooks is to support road warriors. This means that all notebooks support the use of external monitors. Your monitor is analog only, so you should be able to connect your monitor to any notebook with no problems and see if it works there.
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#5
s0nginmyheart

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Hi, ok, I was able to get ahold of a friend that allowed me to plug my monitor into his laptop... and it did not have the flickering lines problem. I was not (additionally) able to plug my tower into a spare monitor due to lack of having an extra one. Anyway, when I got back home the flickering problem has not reoccured... yet. Any way else to narrow down the issue?
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#6
Digerati

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when I got back home the flickering problem has not reoccured...

Then perhaps you simply had a loose connection that is now tight. I would still make sure the card and all cables on the interior are securely fastened.

Any way else to narrow down the issue?

Not if it does not recur. If it does happen again, I would be looking at trying another graphic card - but then I have several laying around so that is easier for me. I would also make sure the PSU is good, and of adequate size. If you have not added any hardware since new, the size should be fine.
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#7
paulbtorrent

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Sounds like a classic ccfl going in your lcd... read on(lazy me did not edit my collects, does match later on whay you saying!)...The lcd has three parts the screen plate(windows)/the logic(vga)/theinverter(power plug). Parts that go are the backlight ccfl's, behind the plate, and parts of the inverter, ie capacitors, all three take a bit of power from the inverter. The self test check that all the lights are ok and the inverter is ok, else it switchs off, ie if 3/4 light work it will switch off(my own case), hence the on chech error then off, However sometime there are stages of on/off ie on/ but no screen display, if thatis the case the following may be of help...if you put bright light at an angle close to lcd can you see a windows shadow, text icons etc, ie still logic power passing,then .... (from a.n. other) after two weeks searching I finally find doctor living stone http://www.aplusperf...apacitor_repair more fun with paulbtorrent the takening the case bit off is like opening your wallet a second time after buying a new LCD, but you must! smallest two screw driver's flat headed, practice using two pennies stuck together()with your fingers after, one little () move and inch and {} again, with the case , it does not break, just need to lever open
[once open you realize they somehow put that old briefcase clip inside!] also note the bright light test to do first to see if can see a windows screen , and that capacitors are one for a number of things that a make a inverter work! there a transistors as well, given that however, to replace all the capacitors on my inverter, was 11 capacitors, cost me $11 (uk ebay) and already had the iron and solder. So only cost me me $11 to try and see but no luck , still fun and I still can see the screen for 2 sec' at a time plus I have a spare set of caps now in the event that the new one do go burst! you have to laugh really, what next , a new on/off button, as you work though the whole thing !
mmmMMMMmmmMMMMmmmMMMMTim Berners-leeMMMMMmmmmMMMMMmmmmcome back all is not
wellMMMMMMMMMMnnnnnnweek later land sight mmmmmMMMMMMMMMmmmmgggggggg(from another a.n other)Generally, if the screen went out quickly, it was the inverter. If it went out over a slow period of time (flickering etc..) I would bet it is the lamp.replaceing the lamp should be pretty challenging. as that requires complete breakdown of your LCD, extraction of your dead lamp, and soldering in your new lamp... but I would like to say that I it did this after realizing it's 2 x kitchen strips inside [========] with wires that can connect back to the inverter with out any desoldering(ie kit assembly/dis) with the outter case remove (glass plate safe away) I could reconnect and see that 3/4 were working (i!i hardcard ) cause the inverter to switch off after a secound ! order ccfl and replace and going to cheap and see if I can get away with fitting a 15" in my 19' as it a 1/3 of the price ! the market as drop out there, hope the inverter does not miss the length, or the screen out put. http://www.lcdparts....aptopCCFL1.aspx OR MONITOR
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#8
JGS0024

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When troubleshooting display problems like this, it really is best to swap monitors with another computer because at this point, you don't know if your monitor is shutting off on its own, or if a failing graphics card (or motherboard, if on-board) is causing the monitor to power off. If the problem follows your monitor to the 2nd computer, then you know it is your monitor. But if the 2nd monitor does the same thing on your computer, you know the problem is with the graphics solution in your computer. Swapping monitors is the only way to determine if the monitor is bad, or the computer.

Monitors do go bad, but not as often as something in the computer.

There should be a label on the back of the monitor with the make, model, and serial number.

How do you fix this problem instead of buying a new monitor? I have 3 I need to fix for other people and they don't wanna buy a new monitor. I need help please.


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#9
Tim25

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When troubleshooting display problems like this, it really is best to swap monitors with another computer because at this point, you don't know if your monitor is shutting off on its own, or if a failing graphics card (or motherboard, if on-board) is causing the monitor to power off. If the problem follows your monitor to the 2nd computer, then you know it is your monitor. But if the 2nd monitor does the same thing on your computer, you know the problem is with the graphics solution in your computer. Swapping monitors is the only way to determine if the monitor is bad, or the computer.

Monitors do go bad, but not as often as something in the computer.

There should be a label on the back of the monitor with the make, model, and serial number.

How do you fix this problem instead of buying a new monitor? I have 3 I need to fix for other people and they don't wanna buy a new monitor. I need help please.

 

So i have picked up some dell screens. They automatically install drivers on your computer for the monitor. With these installed, the screen lasted 5 minutes then shut off. I tried it again 5 minutes went by and it shut off. I went into my device manager uninstalled the drivers and it works now continuously. I'll keep this updated just incase this wasn't a proper fix but it seems to have worked. I'm 10 minutes in without any problems. Major companies do this so people will buy their newest product. They update the driver in the background of a user's computer and then it stops working and they think they have to buy a new what ever because it doesn't work. Most monitors display the same 60hz and unless you want something bigger or smaller in size usually the display settings won't change for the most common monitors. Unless your getting vsync(or whatever amd's version is) or like a 4k display this doesn't matter.


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