Apparently Unique Blank Screen Problem

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d.brycen

New Member
I did a search on this forum trying to find threads that discussed the same kind of problem I'm having with my Dell 2000FP monitor. I didn't find such a thread so hopefully this isn't a redundant inquiry.

What sometimes happens is my screen, while the power is on (and not on standby), will go completely blank in the same way as if it is off. This monitor has never flickered, and it goes blank after variable durations of being on, these durations ranging from less than a minute to anytime within an hour but usually within 15 minutes. I have to turn the monitor off and on again to see the screen, and the case is repeated. I've had this monitor (and video card) since January 2003.

I'm guessing this can be caused by one of two problems. Either the video card, which is a Radeon 9700 Pro, or monitor's AC power adapter is going bad. To those who are electronically literate, does my problem sound more like a video card problem or a power adapter problem? I ask in this way because it is my best guess that when video cards go bad, they go bad and there is no in between such as the above case.

Please advise.
 
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You could try using another input of that monitor (e.g. the video card's tv-out in the monitor's composite or svga input) and see what happens.
 
Lorand, I lost my other monitor cable so I wasn't able to immediately give that a try. However, and for the records, I think the problem had something to do with DirectX. I must've somehow lost the program or it was corrupted, because I reinstalled it and the monitor hasn't gone blank since. I also didn't know my extended warranty covered my monitor problems, so another monitor is on the way just in case. Thanks.
 
Not unique !

d.brycen said:
What sometimes happens is my screen, while the power is on (and not on standby), will go completely blank in the same way as if it is off.
Click to expand...

I have exactly these symptoms on my Dell 2000FP, analog connection.
Dell's own trouble shooting online suggests that the monitor is losing sync with the PC video signal, but not reporting it (it actually says this can happen in the manual). This would be consistent with my experience as the monitor never goes into powersaving mode once this state is reached (power LED remains green, not amber).

I've tried the display with three different PC's, same problems. They are getting worse also - seldom lasts 15 minutes before it gets problems, and only lasts a few minutes once power-cycled. I have exactly the same model monitor attached to the other output from the PC - no problems - so it's the monitor at fault I believe. This did not start until July - I'm wondering if this is a dry-joint type of fault in the physical connection as it is not a physical heat from the display issue, but the room temp. with solar gain has probably crept 5 plus degrees from prior to then.

(Of course the other thing might be a Windows patch in that time frame ... ;)

If you find anything, let me know - I'll come back here if I get the problem solved. For now I have a DVI card on the way, to test whether the issue is generally with the monitor - or just the D/A on the analog input (my guess is it is only on the D-Sub, we'll see).
 
Re: Dell 200FP goes blank. (put that int here for the search engines).

I have a lot more info, but unfortunately not yet the solution. My 2000FP has been acting the same way for about a month now. At first it only happened sporadically, but it got worse to the point that the screen will last only about a minute after the computer and OS have completely booted. I can turn it off then on and it will surely happen again soon.

To eliminate the possibility that it was the graphics card or the cable or a screen saver or OS or even a computer-end problem, I took it to my TV which has a DVI-D HD set top box, and its own DVI cable. Hooked it all up and sure enough, I could watch TV for about 3 minutes then it went blank. All panel lights are normal. Turned it off and then on and 1 or 2 minutes later, blank again. Not the card, not the cable. Not OS, not anything to do with the computer.

Then I found an inverter on Ebay at Norris Parts. Great folks. Based on the info on their ebay inverter auction, it sounded like it COULD be the inverter. I bought it and installed it. Same problem. Norris asked me to send back their inverter, my inverter and my main board. Did that. They tested all 3 and said both inverters and my main board checked ok. Get this, they refunded my money and sent me back my boards. I sure wish they coulda fixed it so they could have gotten some of my money and I wouldn't have to buy this 2007FP I'm now on. (btw, $320 with shipping on Ebay. I highly recommend it. Much less frame than the 2000 and it pivots, rotates and goes up and down about 5 inches. Has a built in 4 port USB hub. Sahweeeet. The comparable Samsung has less viewing angle and no USB connectors)

I reassembeled my 2000FP and check it on another computer, another O/S, using the VGA cable and I still get the same thing. I double checked every plug-in connection and the pins on them. Not a connection issue. The folks at Norris suspect it is a backlight problem, which they agree seems fishy since the backlight does work, but only for some time. They mentioned something else it could be, but it didn't sound like something that could be repaired. I know the LCD screen itself has never been damaged, bumped, scratched or hurt in any way. I'd love to revive it, it's a great monitor and I have plenty of pc's around here that could be upgraded with it. For a $70 part and a couple hours of my time, It'd be worthwhile.

I am now testing it plugged into the power, but switched to an empty input mode so it cannot see a connection. the "Check Signal Cable" floating color pallette seems to be staying on and floating around constantly. Well, it's been an hour anyway. So it would seem it isn't a backlight problem. I am suspecting that somehow the monitor is losing the input signal which is why it will work again when you turn it off then on. Shortly thereafter, it is losing the signal again. Since it does this on DVI-D as well as VGA it is upstream from the physical connector on the mainboard. Someone should know what part would fix this.

New update. After about an hour, even the floating color pallette went blank. I now believe it is a backlight issue. Anyone know how to replace the backlight?
 
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