Member Avatar for actfray

I have a Lacie Electron 22BlueIV monitor (CRT). Last night while I was watching a TV show on it, the screen went to black but the audio continued. I jiggled the mouse and pushed a few keys but the picture wouldn't come back. I shut the computer down and rebooted. The picture finally came back but for only a few minutes. This happened several times before I finally shut it down for the night. I did notice that the monitor was getting very hot, but I've had this device for a few years. Today it seems to be working fine, but it could happen again.

I'm assuming that if something blew in the back, the picture would not have come back on at all. This is the best monitor I've ever had, so I'm not looking to replace it.

Thank you.
Craig
Windows 7
HP p6644y
64 bit

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Dani AI

Generated

Intermittent loss of picture while audio continues — plus the monitor running very hot — most commonly points to a hardware/thermal problem in the display or the graphics subsystem rather than a Windows power setting or bad RAM. ’s detail that the image returns for a few minutes after a reboot is a useful diagnostic clue: components that fail when warm (thermal cutouts, marginal solder joints, failing high-voltage parts in CRTs) often behave exactly like this. and are right to think about isolation, and and are also correct that hardware failure is a likely outcome; ’s RAM suggestion is unlikely to cause a video-only black screen while audio continues.

Recommended diagnostic sequence (in order to isolate cause and reduce unnecessary expense):

  1. Try a different known-good display on the HP p6644y, and try the Lacie on another PC or a simple video source (DVD player, set-top box) to determine whether the fault follows the monitor or the PC.
  2. Swap and reseat video and power cables; inspect connectors and pins for damage.
  3. Watch behavior at POST/BIOS (before Windows loads). If the screen dies even in BIOS, suspect monitor or GPU hardware; if it dies only after drivers load or under video playback, suspect GPU/drivers/thermal.
  4. Check Event Viewer for display-driver errors and note any “display driver recovered” messages. Monitor GPU temperature and fan operation during playback.
  5. If the monitor only fails when hot, let it cool and power it up; repeated warm-only failures point strongly at internal monitor components.

A note specific to CRTs: these contain lethal high voltages and can fail from failing flyback transformers, dried capacitors or thermal cutouts. Do not open a CRT — have a qualified technician inspect it. Given repair costs and safety, permanent replacement with a modern LCD is often the practical choice, but improved ventilation and avoiding long continuous runs can extend life short-term.

Recommended Answers

All 5 Replies

Member Avatar for JorgeM

The only reason the OS would turn off the monitor is if you had power settigs configured so that the monitor shuts down after inactivity. Sounds like you determined that's not the case. You can always temporarily plug another monitor to see if you reproduce the issue.

Member Avatar for marooned

This happens to me too when I first power the TV. Then I switch off and switch on again after 2 or 3 attempts picture comes on. This is a Toshiba LCD 45 Inches

Member Avatar for GiddyupGilbert

I probably don't know beans from Apple Butter, but if you have video built into the motherboard it may have died and will need to be replaced. This has happened to me in the past.

Member Avatar for kevin2s

If your monitor is not working then may be its a problem of RAM in your Personal Computer

Member Avatar for johhny-marshal

The problem you have described sounds like the monitor has gone. Such problems are often in CRT monitors.

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