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Microstock Photography Forum - General => Photography Equipment => Computer Hardware => Topic started by: ShadySue on February 05, 2014, 14:35
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Just a couple of minutes ago, suddenly something happened and now about the top third of my monitor is a lot darker than it was, I saw it happen, instantly, it didn't just fade over a period.
Anyone know if this is fixable or am I in for an unexpected expense (luckily in this tax year, where I haven't had any 'large expenses')? It doesn't really owe me anything, this is its third computer, but it was very expensive at the time!
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Have you checked that the cables are properly plugged in ?
Also - if you are using a desktop style computer, check that the graphics card is properly seated.
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OK, I'll check the cables, but it did literally happen suddenly and all I was doing was looking at a web page. It's a desktop, but I wouldn't know if the graphics card was seated properly, or even how to recognise it (I don't go inside the box). Is it likely it would be suddenly unseated without the tower having been touched?
Tx for the suggestions.
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If you haven't touched your hardware most likely it's your monitor. How old is it? Try going into a word processor and other software programs to see if stay consistent. Monitors usually don't give us a warning sign they just go!
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I wouldn't know if the graphics card was seated properly, or even how to recognise it (I don't go inside the box). Is it likely it would be suddenly unseated without the tower having been touched?
Tx for the suggestions.
If the cable got pulled the graphics card could potentially become slightly unseated - but only if the screw was not holding it properly.
Before buying a new monitor test everything with another monitor if possible. Or else try your possibly faulty monitor attached to a different computer.
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If you haven't touched your hardware most likely it's your monitor. How old is it? Try going into a word processor and other software programs to see if stay consistent. Monitors usually don't give us a warning sign they just go!
It's quite old in computer terms, not sure exactly. I had it when I started on iStock, which was late 2006, not sure how long before that - a few months maybe more (?), but it was over £800. OTOH, I've just looked, and what may be the current version of the same, but bigger (I don't have much space available, so this one is tiny) is 'only' £130! Looks like the dark area (not totally dark, it's like a graduated shade) is now taking up half of the screen height. The same in PS, Word and FF, and the desktop is the same.
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now if you can attach the monitor to another computer? I am pretty sure the monitor is gone but just in case...
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Assuming it's an LCD monitor that uses cold-cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) for back light it sounds to me like one of tubes is failing or has failed (smaller monitors will only have one), or that the inverter is failing. Complete failure will eventually leave the whole screen so dim that you will barely be able to see anything. If you are (or know someone) handy with electronics, depending on the model of monitor, you may be able to get parts to fix it, but if not, I would humbly suggest it not worth taking it to a shop and throwing more money at it, and replace the whole unit instead.
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Sorry about that, technology is a pain when it fails. My external backup hard drive failed recently, and I had to quickly order a new on.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824005419&clickid=3zdwydVdhSysWAyUCvWaZ1-JUkT2k4wRsSlxSg0&iradid=97618&irir&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10440897&PID=249294&SID=996725545_searchmonitor (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824005419&clickid=3zdwydVdhSysWAyUCvWaZ1-JUkT2k4wRsSlxSg0&iradid=97618&irir&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10440897&PID=249294&SID=996725545_searchmonitor)
This 27" LED was recently on sale for just $190 w/ free shipping from newegg. Crap, I need to watch too. I would love more real estate, you can't go wrong at this price. Apparently LED's are more energy efficient than LCD, as well... but I have no previous experience with them.
My 51" Samsung tv is a plasma, and those are not going to work as monitors - screen burn. Otherwise I would just get a huge $400 plasma, wall mount it in front of my desk and be done.
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I think I'm going a trip to PC World on Friday, if they have the one I'm looking at on their website in stock. There are two PCWs in Glasgow, so I should be lucky. Seems a lot cheaper than the same one on Amazon, which is unusual. (newegg doesn't seem to have a .co.uk?)
27" won't fit in my space, 23" will be a squeeze. This is what I'm looking at:
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/desktop-pc-monitors/monitor-projectors/pc-monitors/lg-23ea63v-full-hd-23-ips-led-monitor-21324850-pdt.html (http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/desktop-pc-monitors/monitor-projectors/pc-monitors/lg-23ea63v-full-hd-23-ips-led-monitor-21324850-pdt.html)
as my current one is an LG and this is the first time I've had the slightest concern about it. Funny how your eyes adapt to things. I'm getting used to this now!
Thanks everyone, I agree it wouldn't be worth repairing now that I see how they've dropped in price.
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That one looks ok (and for the price, very good). I think that aspect ratio (1920x1080, 16:9) is a bit less appealing than 1920x1200 (16:10). I find the extra vertical pixels to be very helpful.
But it's an IPS panel using LED back-lighting, so at least the display should be decent enough (though it may need calibration for accurate color rendering). This one has HDMI, VGA, & DVI input ports, so it should be good to go. If you choose another, make sure it has the input port that your current computer cable supports, or you'll need a new cable or adapter. Bring the cable along if you aren't sure what type it is.
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I like this one myself-
http://www.amazon.com/ViewSonic-VX2433wm-24-inch-WideScreen-Monitor/dp/B001O9EUSO (http://www.amazon.com/ViewSonic-VX2433wm-24-inch-WideScreen-Monitor/dp/B001O9EUSO)
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I like this one myself-
[url]http://www.amazon.com/ViewSonic-VX2433wm-24-inch-WideScreen-Monitor/dp/B001O9EUSO[/url] ([url]http://www.amazon.com/ViewSonic-VX2433wm-24-inch-WideScreen-Monitor/dp/B001O9EUSO[/url])
Unavailable from amazon.co.uk
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Viewsonic-24-inch-Widescreen-Speakers-Response/dp/B001O9EUSO (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Viewsonic-24-inch-Widescreen-Speakers-Response/dp/B001O9EUSO)
Three other UK retailers list it as discontinued, and it's not on eBay UK.
Maybe they're still making them in the States.
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too bad your monitor didn't go bad last month- I was in London and could've brought it along with me lol.... ;)
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;D