Member Avatar for Mary SW

Mary SW,

I have a optiquest V95 monitor that won't stay on, it comes on then after a few minutes the status light turns amber and the screen goes blank.
Is the monitor fried? I had the on/off button fixed but it still won't work.
Is the monitor still good, bad or just ugly?
Also if I get a new monitor could someone compare the regular versus the new LCD, Where can I get a new monitor at a good price?
PS, I'm using an old 13" monitor now that works but I'm straining my eyes, HELP!!

It might be best if the answer to my problem was emailed to me

Thanks from a newbie!
Mary SW

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A concise troubleshooting note for the Optiquest V95 thread that builds on suggestions from , and and stays safe for a reader returning to this old thread.

The symptom — monitor comes on, runs a few minutes, then the status LED turns amber and the screen goes blank — most often means one of two things: the monitor is dropping the video (going to standby because it sees no valid sync) or the CRT’s internal power/deflection electronics are failing after warm-up. CRT repair carries real electrical risk; do not open the case unless trained and equipped to discharge the tube.

Quick, low-risk diagnostic sequence:

  1. Try a different power outlet and a different mains lead; note exact LED behavior (steady, blinking, color change).
  2. Press the monitor’s OSD/menu button with the PC disconnected or powered off. If the OSD appears, the screen blanking is likely a video-signal or input problem; if the OSD is absent, the monitor’s power/drive circuits are suspect.
  3. Swap the VGA cable for a known-good cable.
  4. Connect the Optiquest to a second PC or laptop, and alternatively connect the computer to a different monitor — this isolates monitor vs. video card.
  5. Watch whether the unit gets warm and then cuts out; listen for buzzing or smell for burned components (do not open).

Probable component faults are failing power-supply capacitors, an overheating/failed line-output (flyback) stage, or thermal/relay shutdowns; some faults are cheap to fix, others (and the safety work on CRTs) can make repair uneconomical. Given the failed $69 repair and warranty issue already noted in the thread, a second opinion from a reputable electronics shop is reasonable, or consider replacing.

On replacement: for general desktop use a modern flat-panel will reduce weight and desk space and remove CRT hazards, but check native resolution, inputs and return/warranty terms before buying. The Radeon 7000-era cards are fine for non-gaming tasks provided they support the chosen monitor’s input and resolution.

Recommended Answers

All 11 Replies

Member Avatar for HawkeVIPER

Take your current monitor to a shop to be looked at.. it sounds like a fault with the transformer.

CRT vs LCD? LCD everytime, if you can afford it - they're crisper and clearer than the CRT... not as heavy either.

These links may help:


Last point to make... why didn't I e-mail you? Because someone else with the same problem may stumble over this post and find their answer... not fair if there's no reply, is it?

Member Avatar for Mary SW

Take your current monitor to a shop to be looked at.. it sounds like a fault with the transformer.

CRT vs LCD? LCD everytime, if you can afford it - they're crisper and clearer than the CRT... not as heavy either.

These links may help:


Last point to make... why didn't I e-mail you? Because someone else with the same problem may stumble over this post and find their answer... not fair if there's no reply, is it?

Thanks for the reply to my question, I did take it to the shop, They siad they fixed it, but it still had the same problem. I paid $69.00+tx for nothing. They gave me a life time warranty but then refused to honor it. I told my friends that that shop does not honor warranties(it was written warranty too)

Member Avatar for HawkeVIPER

Go to your local trading standards office - i can't remember what its called in the US.

Member Avatar for Mary SW

"

Go to your local trading standards office - i can't remember what its called in the US.

HawkeVIPER,

I took it shop in Canada, The better Business bureau here is crap, so I'm out of luck, I'll try getting the Transformer checked but I've been checking out new monitors prices on line, 17" or 19", any suggestions on good models??

P.S. I'm installing a Radeon ATI video card 7000, is it any good, I don't do gaming at all and was told that was all I needed for a card, Correct??

Thanks, Mary SW

Member Avatar for HawkeVIPER

What have you currently got in the computer? If you're not going to be gaming, I would imagine that the card you have at the moment is adequate.

As far as monitors go... the old saying of 'you get what you pay for' holds true. Remember, however, that all electrical equipment has built in obsolescence... sooo, it will break eventually, and that eventually will probably be 1 day after your warranty expires.

I'm running a Taxan 17" and an NEC MultiSync LCD on this box - both of which have been good to me. =)

Member Avatar for Mary SW

What have you currently got in the computer? If you're not going to be gaming, I would imagine that the card you have at the moment is adequate.

As far as monitors go... the old saying of 'you get what you pay for' holds true. Remember, however, that all electrical equipment has built in obsolescence... sooo, it will break eventually, and that eventually will probably be 1 day after your warranty expires.

I'm running a Taxan 17" and an NEC MultiSync LCD on this box - both of which have been good to me. =)

To HawkeVIPER,

The monitor I'm using now is Sooooo OLD, it's 12-13", MegaIMAGE my foot!
My old video card fried when the tech that installed it forgot the screw and I bumped the monitor cable and it fell out to bottom of CPU and fried!!
I have a borrowed one right now 'til I get the radeon ATI. I'm lost with the puny screen I've got, eye strain galore!!

Thanks for the reply, I've never heard of Traxon? I Was looking at BenQ 17"-19", Are they OK??

I just got home from work, easy day the Computers were crashed for 5 hours!


Mary SW

Member Avatar for traconbob

Mary here in the midwest so many people upgrade their monitors with LCD's and almost give their old 15-17 inch monitors away. If you want a monitor with a tube, it should be easy to check Salvation Army or some other agency that accepts this kind of donation. Don't pay more than 15 or 20 dollars. A new LCD can't be beat.17 inch or better.
A

Member Avatar for Mary SW

Mary here in the midwest so many people upgrade their monitors with LCD's and almost give their old 15-17 inch monitors away. If you want a monitor with a tube, it should be easy to check Salvation Army or some other agency that accepts this kind of donation. Don't pay more than 15 or 20 dollars. A new LCD can't be beat.17 inch or better.
A

Traconbob,

Here in my town on the east coast most people give their old monitors and computers to an organization that builds computer systems for needy children and seniors on fixed budgets. I guess I'll get a new monitor and give the optiquest to LLoyd at his organization to fix for someone else who could use it.

Thanks, Mary SW

Member Avatar for HawkeVIPER

Traconbob,

Here in my town on the east coast most people give their old monitors and computers to an organization that builds computer systems for needy children and seniors on fixed budgets. I guess I'll get a new monitor and give the optiquest to LLoyd at his organization to fix for someone else who could use it.

Thanks, Mary SW

You could always try http://www.ebay.com =)

Member Avatar for HawkeVIPER

To HawkeVIPER,

The monitor I'm using now is Sooooo OLD, it's 12-13", MegaIMAGE my foot!
My old video card fried when the tech that installed it forgot the screw and I bumped the monitor cable and it fell out to bottom of CPU and fried!!
I have a borrowed one right now 'til I get the radeon ATI. I'm lost with the puny screen I've got, eye strain galore!!

Thanks for the reply, I've never heard of Traxon? I Was looking at BenQ 17"-19", Are they OK??

I just got home from work, easy day the Computers were crashed for 5 hours!


Mary SW

BenQ make damn good OEM cd drives... monitors, I couldn't give advice on - never dealt with them in that respect.

Are your computer leads earthed? If not, that would be why you blew your card - on earthed units, its almost unheard of these days -, if you are earthed... that, is way unlucky. =/

Member Avatar for Real-tiner

It may be just a screen saver or power saver function activating ON THE COMPUTER.

The light changes to amber if it is getting no signal from the computer.

My monitor changes to orange if the power saver is on and active. Moving the mouse brings it back in screen saver, and pressing a funny little button on the keyboard does so in power saver mode.

It could also be a faulty video card in the computer.

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