Monitor blacks out for a few seconds

[Big Mac]

Twice now this week, while doing something online, and I cannot say if
I was in the same program or not, my monitor just blacks out for
several seconds. Then it comes back on and everything is fine. It's
as if it shuts off, but I believe there is still power going into it,
because when it comes back on, I do not see any signs that it is
powering up - it just comes back on.

Anyone have any ideas what is going on? Would this be a software
problem? The monitor is about 9 or 10 months old, and sees a lot of
use, but does get shut off.

Big Mac

 

[Sharon F]

Twice now this week, while doing something online, and I cannot say if
I was in the same program or not, my monitor just blacks out for
several seconds. Then it comes back on and everything is fine. It's
as if it shuts off, but I believe there is still power going into it,
because when it comes back on, I do not see any signs that it is
powering up - it just comes back on.

Anyone have any ideas what is going on? Would this be a software
problem? The monitor is about 9 or 10 months old, and sees a lot of
use, but does get shut off.

Big Mac

Check your power option settings. If you are busy reading a web page and
are not moving the mouse or pressing keys, the monitor may be going into
standby.

Check that your monitor cable is secure on both ends. Check the power
supply cord as well. Check both for crimps, pressure points or wear and
tear.

Check that the display adapter is well seated. Some of the highend cards
come with their own fans. Check that the fan is clear and working. May as
well check all fans while you're at it. Much less expensive to replace worn
fans than it is to replace the hardware they're protecting.

I've used a PCI slot fan for cards that did not have their own. Although
the cards said they had their own method of releasing heat, I run two
monitors and experienced some irregularity in display. I like to think the
fans helped (irregularities seemed less frequent) but can't say for sure.

 

[Bill Martin]

... I run two monitors and experienced some irregularity in display.

I like to think the fans helped (irregularities seemed less frequent)
but can't say for sure.

I'm curious whether you're using two adapters or one of the dual ones? If
it's a dual, what are you using?

Currently I run three monitors, each with its own adapter. One is built into
the mother board and the other two are $10 PCI cards. I've idly wondered
whether replacing the two singles with a dual card would cut my power
consumption. Not enough to actually get around to it yet though...

Bill -- (Remove KILLSPAM from my address to use it)

 

[Sharon F]

I'm curious whether you're using two adapters or one of the dual ones? If
it's a dual, what are you using?

Currently I run three monitors, each with its own adapter. One is built into
the mother board and the other two are $10 PCI cards. I've idly wondered
whether replacing the two singles with a dual card would cut my power
consumption. Not enough to actually get around to it yet though...

I've used several dualheads with multiple monitors Matrox and ATI.
Currently I'm using the ATI Radeon 9500 Pro, 128MB. The card requires a
plugin from the power supply (and does have its own fan). Purchased it days
before the next model was to be released. Marked down to a good price.

Have no idea how the power consumption would compare to using two cards.
The power needs of the monitors would figure into the equation.