Is it dying?

  • Thread starter Thread starter C.M.
  • Start date Start date
C

C.M.

I have a Dell UltraScan P780 Monitor. For the last couple
of weeks, I've been having a problem with it dimming
randomly. The display will look completely normal, but
then it will suddenly start dimming slowly until it is at
only about 20% of its original brightness. Sometimes it
goes completely black. It usually stays this way for 5-10
seconds, then it slowly brightens back up to normal
again. If the speakers are on at the time they shut off.

The monitor self-test comes out fine. But I don't trust
any of Dell's tests and tech support doesn't know what
they're talking about half of the time. I know it's not
an issue with either the video driver or the monitor
driver because I've reinstalled them already and the
problem persists. In Power Management the monitor is set
to never turn off by itself.

If anybody has any suggestions as to what is causing this
problem and/or advice on how to fix it if it can be
fixed, it would be most appreciated. Or if you can narrow
it down to either a CPU problem or a problem with the
monitor itself.

Here are most of my system specs:

HP Pavilion 764x, Intel P4 2.53 GHz, MSI Motherboard (MS-
6577), 512 MB DDR SDRAM, 80 GB HDD, 48x max CD-ROM,
DVD+RW/R drive, Lucent LT Data/Fax Winmodem, Video
Graphics Integrated into 845G chipset, Integrated Realtek
AC-97 Audio, Integrated 10/100Base-T Fast Ethernet, Altec
Lansing 5-speaker THX surround sound w/ subwoofer, Dell
UltraScan P780 monitor, Dell Intenet Keyboard, Dell Mouse
 
/C.M./ said:
I have a Dell UltraScan P780 Monitor. For the last couple
of weeks, I've been having a problem with it dimming
randomly. The display will look completely normal, but
then it will suddenly start dimming slowly until it is at
only about 20% of its original brightness. Sometimes it
goes completely black. It usually stays this way for 5-10
seconds, then it slowly brightens back up to normal
again. If the speakers are on at the time they shut off.

The monitor self-test comes out fine. But I don't trust
any of Dell's tests and tech support doesn't know what
they're talking about half of the time. I know it's not
an issue with either the video driver or the monitor
driver because I've reinstalled them already and the
problem persists. In Power Management the monitor is set
to never turn off by itself.

If anybody has any suggestions as to what is causing this
problem and/or advice on how to fix it if it can be
fixed, it would be most appreciated. Or if you can narrow
it down to either a CPU problem or a problem with the
monitor itself.

Here are most of my system specs:

HP Pavilion 764x, Intel P4 2.53 GHz, MSI Motherboard (MS-
6577), 512 MB DDR SDRAM, 80 GB HDD, 48x max CD-ROM,
DVD+RW/R drive, Lucent LT Data/Fax Winmodem, Video
Graphics Integrated into 845G chipset, Integrated Realtek
AC-97 Audio, Integrated 10/100Base-T Fast Ethernet, Altec
Lansing 5-speaker THX surround sound w/ subwoofer, Dell
UltraScan P780 monitor, Dell Intenet Keyboard, Dell Mouse
Click to expand...

Try another monitor with that system, or move the monitor to another PC
and see if the problem persists - thru narrowing the cause to either the
PC or the monitor itself.
 
Doesn't really matter what part of the monitor it is, you're probably going
to find it difficult to find anyone who repairs them at a reasonable price.
If it's under warranty, that's a different story. Otherwise, you might as
well go shopping, so when it finally dies altogether, you know what you want
to buy to replace it.
 
Personally, I think it sounds more like the power source is causing
problems. You said you tried the monitor in a different computer and a
different monitor on the computer that it is currently connected to.
What were the results from that? Have you tried different electrical
outlets? It could be the monitor is having problems with the internal
power supply as well. There are a myriad of things that could cause this
unfortunately.

Nathan McNulty
 
My experience shows that if the monitor 'brightens' when you give it a
Click to expand...
slap, then it is definitely time to make arrangements for a funeral service.


The level of indepth expertise never fails to amaze me. Give it a slap and
if that doesn't work look for that really big hammer.

Glen P
 
And another thought that was spurred by the dude. He mentioned a UPS.
If you do not have one of these already, you should really look at
getting one. They are not too expensive and do wonders for cleaning out
electricity that comes through your outlets as well as providing a solid
feed of electricity. I agree that you probably have faulty wiring and
should really do a test on your lines. This happened to me with a lamp
I had plugged into a faulty outlet. The lamp would dim and brighten
similar to what your monitor is doing ;)

Nathan McNulty
 
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