Dell flat-panel monitor keeps turning off

[s0nginmyheart]

Hi all,

Recently, my Dell flat-panel monitor has been turning off on its own (green power light does not light on). I'll push the power button back on and the screen will come back on for a split second and then turn right back off. On some tries, it doesn't even come back on.

I tried plugging the monitor power cord into another outlet and I am still havintg the same issues. I do not have an extra monitor to test to see if the problems occurs with another monitor.

I don't know if the monitor is overheating, if that's even possible? Or if it just old and needs replacing. The monitor is probably ~5 years old. Right now, I've left the computer shut off for a few hours, and I haven't had this problem recur tonight, yet.

I don't see a model # on the screen but if anyone needs additional information I can gladly try to provide.

Thanks in advance~

 

[tipstir]

Cheaper to replace that 5-year old. You got your money worth out of that display.

 

[raybay]

That is a common sign of failure in the Dell monitor, for which there are no easily found parts, or cheaply found ones.. As Tipstir suggests, buying a replacement monitor is the smart way to go. There should be plenty of good ones available now that Christmas shopping is behind us.

 

[s0nginmyheart]

Now, the problem is getting progressively worse. I haven't had the monitor turn off by itself lately, but now when I turn the computer on, the monitor kind of flickers with horizontal lines... is this a monitor problem or a video card problem, or something else? If anyone has any insight, I'd appreciate it. I would like to make sure I'm buying the right part (monitor vs video card)...

The Dell Monitor model is E171FPB

 

[raybay]

Monitor problem. Long past being worn out. It may die suddenly without further notice.
But a new computer may challenge the video card... resulting in failure for that sooner or later. The life of a video card is shorter than for the monitor.
Test your computer with a borrowed monitor.

 

[s0nginmyheart]

Hi, ok, I was able to get ahold of a friend that allowed me to plug my monitor into his laptop... and it did not have the flickering lines problem. I was not able to plug my tower into a spare monitor due to lack of having an extra one. Anyway, when I got back home the flickering problem has not reoccured... yet. Any way else to narrow down the issue?

 

[Technochicken]

There is a chance that the problem is due to a faulty VGA cable. That could easily cause the display to not work, or distort the output. If the problem reoccurs, try switching the cable.