Monitor Problem

I'm currently using my small monitor because my main one (Asus VW191S) has been having problems. What happens is, when it's turned on, it functions normally for about five seconds, then the screen goes black. I've examined the screen closely and it turns out that it's still displaying the images, it's just extremely dark and nearly impossible to see without a torch/flashlight.

There's no problem with cables - all the pins are straight, and they're all plugged in firmly, I've tried many different cables etc. The power is adequate, and I've tried the monitor on three different computers, all with the same result.

So I'm guessing the LCD backlight is stuffed. What should I do? I could:

- Send it back to Asus and get it replaced. The problem is that I'll likely have to ship it overseas and take a couple of months, costing hundreds of dollars (shipping + possible expired/voided warranty).

- Get this fixed locally. There might be some electronics shop which can do this. But then again, something might go wrong again later on and I'll end up in this same situation.

- Buy a new monitor. If so, what are the reliable names in this field? Or better yet, help me select a few here. I'd be looking for a mid-range, 19-22", and most of all a reliable one that will last a while.

Thanks

Sounds that your monitor has just died.. I'm not that fond of Asus.

If it is borked, it is probably better to just buy a new one, you mention hundreds of dollars to ship it out and get it fixed in the first option - waaaaay not worth it.

Secondly, if it can be locally fixed.. i'd be surprised, and like you said, it could get borked again later.

I'd just buy a new one, I could recommend Samsung, I own a 22 inch Samsung 2220WM-HAS and it rocks, but there is tons of other good models out there too.

What's your budget?

I don't know exactly how to test the monitor out though.. say with diag tools or things, so this is not really my area of expertise.

sounds like the inverter board that controls the backlight is going out those only cost between 5.00 to 30 dollars and it sits normaly at the bottom front of the screen and easy to replace ebay sells them all the time i would just fix it myself if i were u cheaper than buying a new moniter

i like hp monitors, others like samsung those seem to be the 2 big hitters as far as a new monitor is concerned.

HP, Samsung, ACER.

You can't go wrong. Use www.newegg.com and narrow it down by budget and manfacturer and size. If you have multiple options at that point, compare their contrast, response time, and brightness ratings. Buy the best bang for the buck. But yeh, just buy a new one.

Ugh, just cracked it open to find what parts I needed, turns out I can't find and order the parts anywhere, let alone be able to replace it.

So I've narrowed it down to:

http://www.einfo.co.nz/shop/product_...widescreen-lcd
http://www.einfo.co.nz/shop/product_...-monitor-black

http://www.softwareshop.co.nz/Master...ductid=1232066
http://www.einfo.co.nz/shop/product_...ck-lcd-monitor

How do these sound, and are there any other 19-20" monitors I should consider?

The bottom one - Samsung 2043 - without a shadow of a doubt

Since you've cracked it open, I guess this doesn't apply, but, a lot of weird problems with LCD displays can be cured simply by unplugging the power cable, letting them discharge for a few seconds, and plugging the power back in. It makes them do a "reset". (The main AC power cable, not the video cable.)

Outside of that, and as you suspect, the circuits that drive the backlight are probably faulty. My guess would be a bad solder joint which opens up when the current warms it up. (or a bad component.) Since you say it works for about 5 seconds, I don't think it's the light itself.

I second Snograt, Samsung monitors have always been top-notch in my personal experience.