More hardware woes

[Bob Schroeck]

My nice Samsung widescreen LCD monitor died last night, or so it seems.

I came home, jiggled the mouse to get the computer out of screen saver, and the screen started flickering like nuts. This had happened a couple times a few
weeks ago, and a reboot cleared it up, so I rebooted, but this time I got nothing. No BIOS logo or anything, and no beep codes indicating boot problems -- the
PC sounded like it was booting just fine, except, of course, no video. Normally I see at least an overlay in the corner saying "Digital" to indicate
what kind of video feed the monitor's getting, but not even that this time, and except for the power button which lights up (and blinks after a few moments
to indicate no signal), none of the other front-panel controls respond. Even if my video card is dead I should at least get the menu and input source buttons
to put something up on the screen. So logic dictates the monitor has died.

Peggy is, of course, spazzing out over this because we only got it, what, two years ago? And is on the verge of condemning all LCD screens as short-lived junk
now.

It looks like I'm going to have to buy a new monitor, but if anyone has any advice for troubleshooting I can try first, I'd be happy to have it.

Thanks.
-- Bob
---------
Then the horns kicked in...
...and my shoes began to squeak.

[Ankhani]

This happened to me on my desk top a few years back. I managed to get it working again by pulling the side off, vacuuming out the dust and then reseating the
Vid Card (Disconnect it, pull it from the PCI Slot, then push it back in real nice and tight). I'm having my own issues with my Graphics, and monitor, but
I'm more inclined to blame the card than my Monitor... My screen's dotted with a very regular pattern of 2x2 blocks of seemingly dead pixels. Hopefully
a Reboot'll clear it up, but I'm getting quite tired of these bloody GFX Issues.
---

The Master said: "It is all in vain! I have never yet seen a man who can perceive his own faults and bring the charge home against himself."

>Analects: Book V, Chaper XXVI

[CrimsonKMR]

Bob Schroeck wrote:

---

My nice Samsung widescreen LCD monitor died last night, or so it seems.




I came home, jiggled the mouse to get the computer out of screen saver, and the screen started flickering like nuts. This had happened a couple times a few
weeks ago, and a reboot cleared it up, so I rebooted, but this time I got nothing. No BIOS logo or anything, and no beep codes indicating boot problems --
the PC sounded like it was booting just fine, except, of course, no video. Normally I see at least an overlay in the corner saying "Digital" to
indicate what kind of video feed the monitor's getting, but not even that this time, and except for the power button which lights up (and blinks after a
few moments to indicate no signal), none of the other front-panel controls respond. Even if my video card is dead I should at least get the menu and input
source buttons to put something up on the screen. So logic dictates the monitor has died.




Peggy is, of course, spazzing out over this because we only got it, what, two years ago? And is on the verge of condemning all LCD screens as short-lived
junk now.




It looks like I'm going to have to buy a new monitor, but if anyone has any advice for troubleshooting I can try first, I'd be happy to have it.




Thanks.

Try a different monitor if you have access to one. Also try a different video card, but that might be harder than a 2nd monitor...
There is no coincidence, only necessity....
- Clow Reed

[jpub]

I assume you unplugged it from the computer and powered it up? If not, try that. Sometimes the monitors will supress some OSD popups when its plugged in. If
the 'no input' popup comes up, well, then it's your video card.

[Bob Schroeck]

I did indeed disconnect it from the computer for that very test. No luck. Nothing. In fact, when both connected and disconnected I noted that the screen was always the flat "power off" black instead of the faintly luminescent (and counterintuitively blacker) "power on" black. I think that's pretty telling, actually.

Still, I'll give the full vacuum/unplug/reseat procedure a try tonight and see if that helps.

In the mean time, I'm soliciting advice on good monitors to buy. 19-inchish and wide screen, please.
-- Bob
---------
Then the horns kicked in...
...and my shoes began to squeak.

[Wiregeek]

hrmph.

very difficult to make a call, pickins' that small with decent resolution are slim.

What local stores would you care to patronize, or online vendors?

Also, what's your budget, and have you heard from Samsung about warranty work/replacement yet?
"No can brain today. Want cheezeburger."
From NGE: Nobody Dies, by Gregg Landsman
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5579457/1/NGE_Nobody_Dies

[jpub]

You might want to try NCIXUS.com or Newegg.com. You're looking at about $200 for anything you order, though.

I prefer Dell, as I've never had a bad experience with one of their monitors, but AFAIK the top brands are Samsung, LG, Sharp, or Sony.

[Sofaspud]

Just as a last ditch effort, something to try when I had a similar problem.

Most LCDs have a detachable cable. I've had the one on the back of the monitor come loose before. It didn't -look- loose, but when my LCD at work was
displaying the same behavior you describe, I reached around and re-seated it and haven't had problems since.

--sofaspud
--"Listening to your kid is the audio equivalent of a Salvador Dali painting, Spud." --OpMegs

[Valles]

Wire: Which definition of 'good' resolution, Bleeding Edge or the Rest Of The Planet?
===========

===============================================
"V, did you do something foolish?"
"Yes, and it was glorious."

[jpub]

At 19" widescreen, he's probably looking at 1280x720 or 1440x900.

[Bob Schroeck]

You know, I thought I had higher, but looking at what's available, it seems I'm likely to be misremembering. I have the original packaging at home, I
will dig it out and see what's given there in the specs, and try to get as close to the same as possible.

Since I asked, I've done some online research and gotten prices and whatnot, so I have an idea what's available near me and for how much. I'm not
going to order online but go to a nearby retailer, since getting us up and running fast is a bit more important than shaving a few bucks off the price.

Thanks for all the help, folks.
-- Bob
---------
Then the horns kicked in...
...and my shoes began to squeak.

[Wiregeek]

and which nearby retailers are you looking at patronizing?

Resolution - 1680x1050, it's about the lowest I could reccomend anyone play CoH at. The difference between it and 1440x900 is.. noticeable. The difference
between 1680x1050 and 1920x1200 is like 'more cake', while 1680x1050 to 1440x900 is more of 'Cake or Sardines for dinner? Hmmm...'
"No can brain today. Want cheezeburger."
From NGE: Nobody Dies, by Gregg Landsman
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5579457/1/NGE_Nobody_Dies

[Sweno]

but, but, but... I like sardines

(I play at 1920x1200)
-Terry
-----
"so listen up boy, or pornography starring your mother will be the second worst thing to happen to you today"
TF2: Spy

[jpub]

I play CoH at 1152x864.

Personally, I go for Dot Pitch more than absolute resolution. Too many DPI = eye strain for Chris.

I wouldn't use anything less than a 22" for 1680x1050. If I was jumping to 1920x1200, I'd want a 27" minimum. The thing that irritated me the
most about the current laptops we use (and have used for 4 years) at my work is that they're 15.4" Widescreens that run at 1920x1200.

[Wiregeek]

ok, so.. tell me what local vendors you're willing to shop at, and, uh, go to an opthamologist?

; )

Chris, I gamed at 1600x1200 on a 17" CRT for quite a while - YM_W_V here.

but 22" at 1680x1050 should be quite nice.
"No can brain today. Want cheezeburger."
From NGE: Nobody Dies, by Gregg Landsman
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5579457/1/NGE_Nobody_Dies

[Kurisu]

Is it overkill if you're using a Olevia 34' multiport monitor?

WoW, CoH, CoV, Hellfire: London look beautiful on this thing...
_____
DEATH is Certain. The hour, Uncertain...

[Bob Schroeck]

Okay, update.

As I mentioned, I had the original packaging still handy, so I dug it out, opened it up, and discovered that the monitor was still under warranty. (Yay,
Samsung, for 3 year unlimited warranties!) So... it's going back to Samsung today for repair. They don't have any comparable monitors to swap with me,
unfortunately, so I'll have to rent one for a little while (just long enough for us to finally buy Peggy her laptop after much procrastination). But
basically, the buy plan is now dead.

And I was misremembering my monitor stats. 21", 1680x1050. I can't use anything too much bigger because my desk has a dedicated monitor cubby in its
hutch right in front of the seat/keyboard tray that was designed for a CRT. I might be able to fit a 22" widescreen in it, but I doubt anything larger
would fit.
-- Bob
---------
Then the horns kicked in...
...and my shoes began to squeak.

[jpub]

uh, go to an opthamologist?

; )

1) Um, who do you think tells me to not read teeny fonts? I have a fairly strong prescription. Itty bitty fonts are hard to read, and windows/games have too many fixed font sized bits that makes a really high DPI a pain for me.
2) I just don't need the real estate. I'm one of those people who have their desktop so damn organized I have maybe 8 or 9 things on it on my bad days. And 4 of them are my 'my computer' 'recycling bin' 'network' and 'my documents' icons.
3) I also tend to insist on playing games in a window when I can, which descreases their performance. I usually play games at 1152x864, 1024x768, or 1024x576 in a window.

[Wiregeek]

Is it overkill if you're using a Olevia 34' multiport monitor?

34 _foot_ would be, a 34" would not be - I'm using a 47" myself, and quite happy with it.

still under warranty

Excellent! Good news for you!
"No can brain today. Want cheezeburger."
From NGE: Nobody Dies, by Gregg Landsman
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5579457/1/NGE_Nobody_Dies

[jpub]

Wow. Okay, on a 34" monitor, I could see 1920x1200. On a 47", definitely. Of course, my 42" *HDTV* only does 1920x1080, and it's good enough
for me, but...

Wow. I run a 19" 4x3 at home, and that feels big to me. I just couldn't comprehend having a 34" monitor.

[Bob Schroeck]

Excellent! Good news for you!

Thanks! Now it's time for me to start shopping for laptops for Peggy. She's given me her requirements (condensed version: at least the equal of my desktop); I just have to find something that's not too expensive, is reasonably reliable, and fits those specs.

And for those chomping at the bit to make recommendations -- yeah, I know you're out there -- that would be a dual-processor 1.66 ghz min, 2 gb memory, wifi, nvidia 8000-series graphics, wide screen, high-resolution. Although she's planning on crunching financial numbers and graphics on it, her needs basically describe a gaming machine. (The fact that it will run COH just means it'll be easier to talk her into joining the fun, and will also let me play COH out in the hammock come spring and summer. But that's just gravy.)
-- Bob
---------
Then the horns kicked in...
...and my shoes began to squeak.

[Sofaspud]

Re: the laptop? It's a higher initial price hit, but I've got several reliable friends now who all say the same thing.

Buy Dell, or buy Alienware.

2 friends running Alienware laptops, they're giddy and the damn things appear to be indestructible; 5 running Dell, and much the same to report there, with
the minor nit that one of them had minor issues that turned out to be a glitchy HD; it was replaced under warranty and he's happy now.

I'm personally running an HP 'desktop replacement' laptop, but it doesn't meet your minimum specs. And it's huge. It's a laptop in
the same sense that a golden retriever can still be a lapdog. Plays CoX quite nicely at high res, mind, but my newer desktop machine plays it better and
prettier.

But, I can't _recommend_ HP, in all honesty, despite my luck with The Beast. I really, _really_ want an Alienware machine, personally, after seeing the
performance of the one my buddy brought to our last LAN gaming session. *droooool*

--sofaspud
--"Listening to your kid is the audio equivalent of a Salvador Dali painting, Spud." --OpMegs

[Bob Schroeck]

-- I've been looking at Dell, and wondering about Alienware. I'll keep both of those in mind.

Further update: Old monitor has been shipped, rental has been acquired and set up (as should be obvious from this message's timestamp). Complication:
rental did not like the digital connection, insisted there was no signal -- analog works fine. So... big question: bad cable, or did part of my graphics card
burn out on me? Time to run to Radio Shack or somewhere for a new digital cable to test... Either way, it still doesn't explain why the old monitor stopped
responding to its front panel controls. Maybe something shorted in the digital circuitry and surged the monitor? Advice, theories and guesses from folks with
more hardware experience than I've had in the last twenty years solicited...

(Edit: I'm too used to wide-screen monitors. A 20-inch 4:3 monitor is freaking huge. I shoulda gone with the
17-incher after all.)
-- Bob
---------
Then the horns kicked in...
...and my shoes began to squeak.

[jpub]

This would be a lot easier if you had more HW to test with. The only thing to do now is to see if the monitor when it comes back works with the digital.

[Kurisu]

I feel like an idiot... should have used the quote instead of the apostrophe...

Now I can't get that old Weird Al song out of my head...

"Frank's 2000" TV"
_____
DEATH is Certain. The hour, Uncertain...