I have two LCD monitors at work that, when powered on, come on for about 10 seconds, then go black. When these have been under warranty and acted as such, I've sent them back for a free replacement but these two are beyond that. Are they hosed beyond what it would cost to repair them or is there some neat trick anyone knows that can fix them. They're work monitors, so if they're screwed, they'll just go in the dumpster but if I can fix them, they'll secretly end up at my house. Bwah-ha-ha!
Plug them into another station that you know isn't having that problem just to rule out the video card. I had mine blinking at one point and all I need was a new cable.
Dell has some good ones on sale. Also, check the power supply, most of mine have 'external' powersupplies. The newer ones are built in, but some of the older LCDs use the little box deals. I dont know if the LCDs have 'guns' or not, like the older CRTs, but maybe there is a cheap way to replace them. Check online for the make and model, and see if you can even find parts for them. I have had good luck with ViewSonic LCDs, up to 20", but the company I am with now is all Dell so, I think they use Sharp, or Sonys and just rebrand them. Of course Dell is a whore and will sell whoevers shit is cheapest at that time......Just ask Joe.
I've bought new monitors (company money) so it's not the video cards. These are KDS (cheap) monitors. I dunno if it's worth any effort to try and save them. I can get 19" LCDs at Office Depot for $169.
I agree on the power supply bit - usually it's the first thing to go on an LCD (or even plasma TV). If it's an external, as Phatty said, it'll be an easy fix. If the monitor uses the same straight AC cable that your PC does, then you can still fix it, but it'll be more trouble. (I.E. - bypassing the built-in P/S, extend take those DC leads out of the monitor, and hook them up to an external AC/DC adapter that supplies the correct voltage. Oh, and when it comes to replacing an AC/DC adapter, the voltage output is the main thing you want to match, you can always use an adapter that supplies a greater amperage (your device will only pull as much as it needs).
