I may have made a newbi mistake when I thanked everyone for their replies...I should have said thanks in advance for your replies. I could still use some advice if anyone has run into this problem before.

It could be just a loose connector on the back of the computer.

It could also be malicious software. Scan the computer with a virus checker.

Otherwise, it could be either the monitor or the video card in the computer.

Try the following to find out which:

- Swap monitors with another compatible computer, and see if the trouble stays with the computer, or goes with the monitor. If the trouble stays, replace the video card. If the trouble goes, replace the monitor or have it repaired.

- Arrange the power connections so the monitor stays on when you shut down the system. If the trouble goes away when you reboot, then you need a new video card (much cheaper than a monitor).

I have the same monitor with same white screen and I have had no luck trying to repair it. It is a fault with the monitor and Dell will take no responsibility for it if you are out of warantee. Go out and buy a new one. Sorry if that's not the answer you wanted, still useful I hope!

If you disconnect the monitor, and it's white, that would show that the monitor has failed. Dell monitors are set up such that when you unplug them, they run a self-test that shows if the monitor's actual display functions are working. If not, the monitor is bad.

If your monitor fails outside of warranty, well, that's tough! You should have bought a longer warranty.

Well, when you disconnect the monitor it stops being white and goes black, but the monitor is still faulty (according to Dell). I find your comment 'If your monitor fails outside of warranty, well, that's tough!' slightly surprising, I personally believe hardware should last longer than the 1 year standard warrantee Dell (used to) supply. I also suggest it should last longer than the 3 year warrantee they now supply as standard!! But perhaps I'm unusual.

Had the same. Try the Self Test Feature Check: disconnect power-cable and video-cable from monitor. Then connect just monitor's power-cable (video-cable still disconnected). The Self Test will start. It looks like a screensaver. I kept it going on and after some minutes the white screen tried to appear. The monitor reacted on this automatically and corrigated it. I kept the Self Test going on half an hour but nothing happened further. Now, two days later, the monitor still works as it has to.

This is a common problem on the Dell Flat screen, however, as Dell are just a marketing company and don't make anything themselves.

Normally this fault is coursed by dry joints on the de-sub connecter internally; just a careful quick re-solder normally cures it.

well, i had the same problem. i have had my 15" fs dell since august 2003. never had a moments problem with it. until early december. i left my pc on and when i came back 30 minutes later it had the "white screen of death". nothing cleared it so i rebooted several times and it fixed itself. i had intermitant occurances for about a week. i would do all kinds of things in an attempt to clear it - the self test worked sometimes. anyhow, i did get online long enough to discover people discussing the soldering fix. i am a handy guy but had never done anything that tedious :eek: . but i figured what the heck? what have i got to lose? if i ruin it i am not out anything because i would have had to replace the monitor anyhow. :mad: so, i get my small screwdrivers together and my soldering iron and solder. i take this thing apart like i just knew i would never get it back together correctly. i located the suspect pins and lo and behold the solders were split and crusty looking whereas all the others were smooth and shiney as they should be. then with trembling paws i dripped the hot solder on the pins and voila!! :p it was done. it took about 10 minutes to put everything back together - which gave me ample time to say a very long prayer while doing it. i plug it back in - hooked up the cable, turned on my pc and YES:!: :!: it worked. i have not had a problem since - been white screen free for over 4 weeks and it feels GREAT:!: :mrgreen:
pete

cool story. :mrgreen: