monitor problem

hey guys,
i was asked by a friend if i could look at his lcd monitor( dont know make or model..sorry )......he says that the screen goes black but he can still hear the game playing.
i searched possible problems and one was the power supply..wouldnt that mean that the whole computers messed up not just the monitor?
other possibilities would be blown caps and blown lamps.. how would i test for a blown lamp?
Thanks,
Spock 96

 

I am assuming this is a stand-alone monitor (not one built into a notebook or all-in-one PC).

First, does the monitor totally shut off (including the power light)? If yes, it is an issue with the monitor.

Some LCD monitors use an external power adapter (similar to that on a notebook PC). If the monitor in question does, look at the specs on the old power brick (usually 12 volts, between 3 and 5 amps). If you have a multimeter, check the output voltage at the tip after the monitor has shut off by itself. If it's bad you can search the monitor make/model # on eBay and usually find a new aftermarket power adapter for about $15 (much less than getting an OEM).

If the monitor has an AC power cord running directly into it, this gets tricker. If you are good at taking things apart and putting them back together, it might be worth it if you can find a good price on a replacement built-in monitor power transformer.

Since monitors have multiple lights, a single one going out would only cause one part of the screen to go dim.

Finally, consider the cost and time of a repair against the cost of a new monitor. Good 20" LCDs are as low as $100 (Hannspree is a decent entry level brand); 23" are as low as $150.

If the monitor isn't actually turning off (instead displaying "no video signal" or a test pattern), repost and we'll look at video card issues.

Hope this helps.

 

thanks it does help
i'll have to look at it and try that out..i'll repost if it does or doesnt

 

Shine a flashlight into the screen and look very closely. If you can see the image being displayed, then the inverter or backlight is bad. These can be replaced - the parts will be $50 to $150 depending on the models, plus 1, no more than 2 hours labor. So whether it cost effective to repair or not become a factor. As gman noted, the price of a new monitor may be more attractive.

 

Thanks Digerati i researched monitor problems and can across that one bout the flashlight but couldnt remeber it