Member Avatar for bluedos82

me once more!
Alright, I have a monitor that turns off automaticly. I have already checked the powersave options and it is turned off. I have it set on ALWAYS ON and nothing shuts down unless the user shuts it down. But it still turns off for some reason. The teacher who has this computer says that they have to turn the computer off and on about 5 times a day. Any thoughts on what might be causing it?

ALSO forgot to mention: I did switch out the monitors, they are both good and perfect working monitors.

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Dani AI

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Quick checklist and focused diagnostics for a monitor that goes dark intermittently.

Start by narrowing software vs hardware. On Windows 9x/ME open Control Panel -> Power Management and pick a Power Scheme with the monitor set to "Never" (or "Always On"). Also check the monitor's on-screen menu for any built-in "auto power" or ECO settings. Boot to the BIOS screen or Safe Mode: if the display goes dark even before Windows loads, the cause is almost certainly hardware; if it only happens after Windows is running, drivers or power profiles are likely.

Step-by-step isolation (do these in order):

  1. Observe the monitor LED when it dies: LED off = loss of mains; amber/standby = no video sync; green but black = GPU/driver.
  2. Plug the monitor directly into a known-good wall outlet (no surge strip/UPS) and swap the power cord. Use a lamp or meter to confirm the outlet is stable. This follows @borumas suggestion to rule out wiring/protector issues.
  3. Swap or reseat the VGA cable and screws, and try the monitor on a different PC. Since @bluedos82 already swapped monitors, try the same monitor on another machine to isolate the video source.
  4. If it is software-related, update/reinstall the video driver and verify there are no resource conflicts in Device Manager. Test in Safe Mode to see if the problem disappears.
  5. If the failure is intermittent and hardware-only (audible clicks, heat, or visible bulging capacitors on an old CRT/LCD), do not open it unless qualified; capacitors and CRT high-voltage are hazardous. Bring the monitor to a technician or replace it.

Operational tips: lock or document the workstation power scheme for classroom machines to prevent accidental changes, and log the exact symptoms (time, LED state, any on-screen messages) to speed diagnosis. If isolation points to the monitor PSU or failing caps, replacement is usually cheaper and safer than field repair for older units.

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Member Avatar for borumas

Is the unit connected to a surge protector or UPS? Sometimes faulty electrical wiring can cause wierd problems like that, if possible try plugging the monitor to another outlet to test it. Does the monitor actually power off or does it just lose a picture on the screen with the power light on?

Member Avatar for bluedos82

It truns out that when I left, the user decided to go and mess with the settings and reset the setting for it to go to system stand by after 30 minutes. They couldn't get it working and so I had to set it back

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