problem with computer monitor- need input

[Sunkist123]

I have a desktop PC. The Acer monitor is much older than the Dell PC tower. Both were working fine til a couple of months ago.
The tower appears to be working. However, most times when I try to start the system, monitor does not fully go on. For the most part the screen stays black, but occasionally the brand logo flickers briefly.

I've disconnected and reconnected both ends of all cords. Although I usually use a power bar, I tried plugging the cords directly into the wall. Otherwise, all I've been able to do is turn off the power bar, turn it back on, and hope it starts. I know this isn't good for a PC; in most cases numerous attempts have caused it to start, but there have also been a few instances (like today) where it will not start at all.

I've never used the on/off button on the monitor. When finished with computer, I log off, shut the computer down, turn off power bar, and disconnect it from the wall. I tried pressing the on/off button to see if that'd make a difference, but the button doesn't seem to work. It continues to flash gold-green, instead of staying solid green as it should when it is on.

Before the problem started, I hadn't moved either of the components. All I did around that time was try to clean dust off the back of the monitor- and don't know if some may have fallen into it. The monitor is not one that can be opened. I also learned long ago that compressed air is useless.

In the meantime, I'm losing a lot of work time, and have important emails I need to address, but can't do anything without a working PC.
Would someone here know what is causing this problem?

 

[Bill_Bright]

You need to isolate the problem to the monitor or the computer. Try a different monitor and see what happens. If you don't have access to another monitor, most TVs made in the last 10 years or so support computer input.

 

[Sunkist123]

You need to isolate the problem to the monitor or the computer. Try a different monitor and see what happens. If you don't have access to another monitor, most TVs made in the last 10 years or so support computer input.

I don't have any other components etc. to try.
All the info I've found suggests Windows 10 updates can cause this, so maybe that's why it occurs frequently. In the last instance, though- the day before yesterday- I was getting impatient and shut the system down at the power bar while it was going through yet another update.

I've tried all the tips I've found re: various keys, and also removing USB keyboard and mouse. Nothing has worked. Obviously tips I've seen re: start menu, etc., are useless because I can't see anything when the monitor is black.

Currently, PC tower is on and appears to be functioning, but the monitor screen remains black.

 

[Bill_Bright]

Windows Update frequently gets falsely accused and that is too bad. Those false accusation cause some folks to delay or block critical updates and that is not good at all.

"IF" Windows Update caused the problem, it is most likely millions and millions of other users would be having the same issues after installing the update. And that very rarely ever happens.

I am NOT saying WU is totally innocent. But I am saying WU breaking computers is much less common than many seem to believe.

I will also note your issue seems pretty clear to be a hardware issue with the monitor or the graphics card failing to signal the monitor to fully way. And that is not likely an issue with the OS.

My advice remains the same. You need to isolate the problem and determine if the problem is with the computer or the monitor. You need to beg, borrow, or steal another monitor. Or at least try that monitor on another computer. Otherwise, you risk causing further problems.

Also, I personally do not like using a power bar to turn everything on and off. It generally is best to just let your computer go to sleep, or use the Windows start button to shut down - but still keep the PSU connected to power. Note, when the PSU is plugged into the wall (and, if it has one, its master power switch on back is set to on) it really is in a standby state. Same with monitors.

 

[Sunkist123]

Windows Update frequently gets falsely accused and that is too bad. Those false accusation cause some folks to delay or block critical updates and that is not good at all.

"IF" Windows Update caused the problem, it is most likely millions and millions of other users would be having the same issues after installing the update. And that very rarely ever happens.

I am NOT saying WU is totally innocent. But I am saying WU breaking computers is much less common than many seem to believe.

I will also note your issue seems pretty clear to be a hardware issue with the monitor or the graphics card failing to signal the monitor to fully way. And that is not likely an issue with the OS.

My advice remains the same. You need to isolate the problem and determine if the problem is with the computer or the monitor. You need to beg, borrow, or steal another monitor. Or at least try that monitor on another computer. Otherwise, you risk causing further problems.

Also, I personally do not like using a power bar to turn everything on and off. It generally is best to just let your computer go to sleep, or use the Windows start button to shut down - but still keep the PSU connected to power. Note, when the PSU is plugged into the wall (and, if it has one, its master power switch on back is set to on) it really is in a standby state. Same with monitors.

A family member in a different state came up with a possibility based on my answers to questions.. that there could be a problem with the connection between the PC tower and the monitor.
Examples of what I'd said: when the entire system is working properly, the monitor begins by flashing its logo but soon flashes the logo of the computer itself; but when it's not working (like now), the periodic flashing of the monitor logo is all there is on the screen.
Also, this periodic flashing occurs whether or not the monitor is connected to the PC, and whether or not the PC is turned on.

Do you think this makes sense?
I've disconnected/reconnected both sides of all cords a few times, didn't accomplish anything.

 

[Bill_Bright]

Another reason to swap in a different monitor is that process typically involves checking the cable connection too - at least the monitor end.

Regardless, you said you already disconnected/reconnected both ends and it did not resolve your problem. So it is not a loose cable. And cables that did work do not suddenly go bad on their own - unless somehow abused. If you did not see any damage like exposed wires or chew marks from teething puppies, it is highly unlikely it is the cable. But if in doubt, swap cables.

Otherwise, you are still where we started. You need to isolate the problem to either the computer or the monitor. If you don't have a spare monitor or TV, or you cannot borrow one from a friend, relative or neighbor, or even work, then you have little recourse but take your system to a shop.

You don't want to buy a new graphics card for the computer only to discover it is the monitor. And you don't want to buy another monitor only to discover it is the computer.

 

[Count von Schwalbe]

I was getting impatient and shut the system down at the power bar while it was going through yet another update

Uh oh, this could be the issue. Was it displaying a screen stating "installing update(s)" or "working on updates" or anything else with the circle of loading dots?

Also, do you have any other sort of computer you could use to create a bootable USB? Microsoft makes it easy to create a USB you can boot from to see if the issue is a hardware failure or not.

 

[qubit]

When switching on the PC, do you see the BIOS screen at all? This matters. Otherwise Bill's pretty much covered everything. Splitting monitor and PC is the key to solving this problem.

 

[Count von Schwalbe]

He may have corrupted BIOS if it was updating when he powered off.

 

[Sunkist123]

Another reason to swap in a different monitor is that process typically involves checking the cable connection too - at least the monitor end.

Regardless, you said you already disconnected/reconnected both ends and it did not resolve your problem. So it is not a loose cable. And cables that did work do not suddenly go bad on their own - unless somehow abused. If you did not see any damage like exposed wires or chew marks from teething puppies, it is highly unlikely it is the cable. But if in doubt, swap cables.

Otherwise, you are still where we started. You need to isolate the problem to either the computer or the monitor. If you don't have a spare monitor or TV, or you cannot borrow one from a friend, relative or neighbor, or even work, then you have little recourse but take your system to a shop.

You don't want to buy a new graphics card for the computer only to discover it is the monitor. And you don't want to buy another monitor only to discover it is the computer.

I really appreciate your help and hope I'm not being a bother, but something occurred to me that may be relevant.
I've not had this luck when trying to start up during the last few days, but this is something I noticed a few times before:


As the off/on button on monitor doesn't work, it automatically turns on when I turn on the powerbar. In previous instances, after its light flickers green-gold for awhile and logo flickers on screen, the power light went off and a screen message came up that said 'no signal.'
When this occurred, I pressed the power button on PC tower, and the entire system (PC and monitor) started normally.

Does this mean something- like perhaps some signal that should be getting to the monitor isn't?
I've noticed it doesn't matter whether the PC is still turned off or turned on, it's the same results.

The cords all seem to be in perfect condition- no damage, etc.

Uh oh, this could be the issue. Was it displaying a screen stating "installing update(s)" or "working on updates" or anything else with the circle of loading dots?

Also, do you have any other sort of computer you could use to create a bootable USB? Microsoft makes it easy to create a USB you can boot from to see if the issue is a hardware failure or not.

Yes, the updates were going on for an extended length of time Wednesday night. However, I don't recall turning it off when I shouldn't have when this same problem started occuring a couple of months ago.

When switching on the PC, do you see the BIOS screen at all? This matters. Otherwise Bill's pretty much covered everything. Splitting monitor and PC is the key to solving this problem.

No, when it's not working (like these last few days), nothing comes up on screen except occasionally the green logo for the monitor.

What does splitting them mean????

 

[Bill_Bright]

I really appreciate your help and hope I'm not being a bother, but something occurred to me that may be relevant.
I've not had this luck when trying to start up during the last few days, but this is something I noticed a few times before:


As the off/on button on monitor doesn't work, it automatically turns on when I turn on the powerbar. In previous instances, after its light flickers green-gold for awhile and logo flickers on screen, the power light went off and a screen message came up that said 'no signal.'
When this occurred, I pressed the power button on PC tower, and the entire system (PC and monitor) started normally.

Does this mean something- like perhaps some signal that should be getting to the monitor isn't?
I've noticed it doesn't matter whether the PC is still turned off or turned on, it's the same results.

The cords all seem to be in perfect condition- no damage, etc.

These are all questions that can be answered by swapping in another monitor.

The typical behavior is the monitor will go to sleep (into standby mode) when the computer stops sending a video signal. Then when the user wakes or powers on the computer, it sends an initial video signal to wake the monitor. This initial video signal is a basic signal that allow the user to enter the BIOS setup menu, or Safe Mode.

Then after the computer completes POST (power on self-test), the boot drive and OS boot information is loaded, including the specific graphics drivers. These send a new signal to the monitor telling it what resolution to sync on. This "hand-shaking" is a two-way communications process between the computer's graphics solution and the monitor.

If the handshaking is not working properly, there is no way to determine where it is breaking down without either trying that monitor on another computer, or another monitor on that computer, and see if the problem stays, or goes with the monitor to the 2nd computer.

You have to "isolate" the problem to either the computer or the monitor. That is what qubit means by "splitting".

 

[bobbybluz]

Testing with a known good monitor would be the first thing I'd try. If it's as old as you state replacing it should be done now anyway. Does your PC have a graphics card or integrated graphics? You haven't given any information regarding that. At the least you should be able to get into BIOS when the PC boots if the monitor and GPU are functioning correctly.

 

[Sunkist123]

Testing with a known good monitor would be the first thing I'd try. If it's as old as you state replacing it should be done now anyway. Does your PC have a graphics card or integrated graphics? You haven't given any information regarding that. At the least you should be able to get into BIOS when the PC boots if the monitor and GPU are functioning correctly.

I don't know much about the terminology, but when I was originally given the PC I tried to connect it to this monitor with the cord I'd used with a previous PC, and it didn't work. Another monitor I had at that time resulted in multicolor stripes across the screen that said something like graphics card missing. So I was given a new cord, and it worked. I don't seem to have the old cord.

On a side note, the cord can't be the problem, as I just found a brand-new one, attached it, and still doesn't work.

 

[qubit]

What does splitting them mean????

Bill's helpfully explained what I meant by that. Yes, separate the monitor from the PC.

Going by all your descriptions, I suspect that the monitor has died as I've seen similar behaviour from failed LCD monitors before, especially with all that flickering you describe. You just have to try another monitor to get anywhere with troubleshooting this. Most people have a computer nowadays, so surely you're able to borrow one from a friend? Is it possible to borrow a laptop from somewhere and connect that to the monitor? Anything to try and get a picture.

 

[Sunkist123]

Bill's helpfully explained what I meant by that. Yes, separate the monitor from the PC.

Going by all your descriptions, I suspect that the monitor has died as I've seen similar behaviour from failed LCD monitors before, especially with all that flickering you describe. You just have to try another monitor to get anywhere with troubleshooting this. Most people have a computer nowadays, so surely you're able to borrow one from a friend? Is it possible to borrow a laptop from somewhere and connect that to the monitor? Anything to try and get a picture.

I just moved recently, don't know anyone I can borrow anything from.
Connecting to laptop isn't possible, as the cord that connects PC is a different size (on the ends that connect). I have no idea what happened to the original cord that went with the monitor and worked on previous computers.

However, I have an old but still functional Gateway monitor with the same type of incompatible cord; I connected it to the PC and it said something like add add-on graphics card. (this was the same thing the current monitor said when I initially connected it to PC with the original monitor cord). I don't know what an add-on graphics card is. But I can't simply connect the old monitor to the PC with the cord that'd been working (PC/monitor) because the cord on the Gateway monitor isn't removable.

(Not sure how to explain it, but the cord required to connect PC to monitor is longer on the ends than the cords that worked with everything else)

 

[bobbybluz]

Post pictures of the monitor, its connecting cable & end, the back of your PC and a picture of the internals with the side panel off. Also give us the make & model of the PC. More information is necessary.

 

[Sunkist123]

Post pictures of the monitor, its connecting cable & end, the back of your PC and a picture of the internals with the side panel off. Also give us the make & model of the PC. More information is necessary.

I tried to do part of that yesterday on another forum (not specifically tech forum), but I'm currently using a very old laptop with limited functioning abilities, and posting pics on forums doesn't work (always worked when PC was working).

 

[qubit]

Can you not connect your smartphone to the laptop via USB and move the pictures to the laptop, then attach them to a post? Even the oldest laptop should be able to manage that.

 

[evernessince]

Unplug the video cable from the monitor and turn it on and see if this behavior persists. If it does your issue is related to the monitor.

To me it sounds like the monitor is getting stuck in it's initialization sequence.

 

[Sunkist123]

Unplug the video cable from the monitor and turn it on and see if this behavior persists. If it does your issue is related to the monitor.

To me it sounds like the monitor is getting stuck in it's initialization sequence.

Yes, it does the same thing even when the cable is disconnected.
Is there a fix? (other than replacement)

 

[evernessince]

Yes, it does the same thing even when the cable is disconnected.
Is there a fix? (other than replacement)

Check the contacts on the power cable and power port on your monitor to ensure they are free of debris, corrosion, ect. If your monitor uses a standard power cable (the same most desktops use) you can try swapping the power cable from your desktop to your monitor. If it doesn't use a standard power cable that unfortunately isn't a option.

Depending on your monitor model, it may have a safe mode you can attempt to access. You'd have to look up the manual for your monitor to find out. Typically the processes includes holding down multiple buttons as you plug in the monitor or as it starts up.

If the above options don't work, chances are the monitor needs repair by a qualified technician. Depending on the age though it might just be cheaper to buy a new monitor.