Monitor won't come on

Problem:
I shut down computer at night using standard shutdown procedure. I do not shut off (flat screen) monitor so its light goes to yellow as it should. When I go to power on computer using power switch on tower the light on monitor is showing yellow prior to pressing main on switch. As soon as I press power on tower the monitor light goes off and the monitor stays dark. The computer boots up normally - I can't see anything but the sounds indicate it has booted normally. I press the monitor on switch but nothing happens. By trial and error I have found by unplugging power cord to monitor and plugging it back in the screen pops right on.
Question is: what is this an indication of or rather where should I start to diagnose ?

Using Dell flat screen, Windows XP Home, all windows updates.
Budo

 

Disconnecting and reconnecting the data cable while the machine is powered up is probably not good for it.

Try using a different monitor. This will tell you if the problem is with the monitor or the graphics card.

Check that the monitor's connector is bolting all the way home. Check there are no bent pins in the connector (it is normal for some pins to be missing).

If the graphics are an add-in card, you can remove the card and clean the connectors with a soft pencil eraser.

Matt

 

Budo, I would power off the system at night by mains switch & not by computer tower on/off switch - It does not cut off the electricity completely.

Regarding your monitor problem, try changing the power cord - it may have become loose (remote chance if you are getting Yellow light). In mho, there is some problem in monitor (most probably some capacitor).

 

Update from Budo

Update
I have run the Dell Monitor test - negative
Have reseated video card - negative
Have checked connections to monitor - all good
Do not have access to another monitor to try

Strange, when I start up the computer from the tower off/on switch the yellow light on the monitor goes out and computer boots up but the monitor will not come on however------ if I unplug the monitor power cord from the power strip and plug it right back in the monitor pops on. I have other items plugged into the power strip (a table lamp and printer) and there is no problem with them. They stay on.

At this point I just leave computer and monitor running all night.
Thanks for all the suggestions gentlemen.
Budo

 

Try pluging the monitor into another spot on the strip or using anoyher strip

 

Hi Frank2753

I have tried this idea from the beginning and it will usually do it but sometimes after several tries. Strange

 

When the graphics card starts sending signals, it tells the monitor to start running. When the monitor is getting this signal it is shutting down instead of starting up. When you are powering off and on again you are bypassing the signal stage.

I think it may be a fault with the monitor (it may even be a safety cut-off). You can probably only tell by using a different monitor to check that the problem is not in the graphics card.

If the problem is in the monitor and it is still under warranty, you should have it repaired before the warranty runs out.

See if you can spot the problem listed here (don't try repairing anything inside the monitor yourself) :
http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/monfaq.htm

Matt

 

Problem solved:
I took a chance and purchased a new monitor with a 21 day return policy from Comp USA
and everything is now operating as it should.
Got Sansung Syncmaster 930B (19" screen) It is really beautiful !
Tks for all the advice.
Budo