[Drtch]

Say, I have had this Samsung LED monitor ("SyncMaster 206BW") for maybe three years, it has featured stellar performance, and I love the wide-screen format (as it allows one to easily work with several windows on the same screen). Yet, for the last couple of days, it has been acting up. At first I thought it was maybe a bad cord...power will go off and on for a couple of minutes, and finally the screen will come up normally (fully bright and otherwise OK). Any idea what can be done, or does this mean the unit is in its "death-throes?" HELP!! :sad: :wink:

 

[JimE]

Hardware fault. Could be a failing component or a loose connection. You can open it and take a look, there may be something obvious. But most often there isn't.

 

[Drtch]

Thanks for the reply.

OK, over the years, sometimes the monitor would go down (like after I was moving things around under my desk) and would come right back, once I adjusted the cable (either down below, or at the monitor itself). But now, moving the cord seems to make no difference. Without touching the power switch (once pushed to start), the power indicator will go off and on, and eventually will go on steadily...with a corresponding normal (fully bright and otherwise normal) screen. This now--this a.m.--this took two or three minutes (when it had been a half minute or so).

What component of the monitor would cause this phenomenon? Is it like a television set..maybe a power transistor going out? It is almost like something is needing to warm up. Ah, maybe in the middle of the night Santa replaced the transistors with tubes. :smile:

 

[JimE]

Could be a loose/broken connection (ie: solder joint) or a faulty component. There isn't a single component that would cause the problem, it would be any of many.

Like I said, it likely won't be obvious. In which case, the only way to isolate the cause would be test equipment and schematics.

 

[Drtch]

Thanks for the reply. It is taking longer and longer for the monitor to "warm up," and then function properly. A tech I spoke to thinks this suggests a power supply which is dying. Does this make any sense to you?

Incidentally, have you any experience with the ASUS brand? I did not, and am looking at a certain model. I like the looks (and the stability on the stand) of Samsungs more than those of this other brand, but this model sure does seem to have some decent specs.

 

[WereBo]

Hi Drtch and welcome to TSF :wave:

It could well be the internal power-supply dying but, as Dogg says, without proper test equipment, it's hard to diagnose - Many monitors now come with a 3-year warranty, so check your paperwork for the exact purchase date :wink:

 

[Drtch]

THANKS. Incidentally...

I just bought an ASUS replacement monitor and went for the store's extended warranty deal. Yet, since that time, a couple of days ago, I discovered that--despite the store's claiming the regular warranty was one year--it was actually three years. Would I have to return to the store to cancel the extended warranty? Any idea? Hard to get back there, with some work I have to do here.

 

[WereBo]

You'd need to check the small-print and see what's more advantageous, most monitor warranties rely on you to package and post the monitor back to the manufacturer, whereas a lot of stores offer to collect and return it to you.

 

[Drtch]

It sounds like the ASUS one is pretty good (three years, covering everything). I have to post it to the repair center, but it is in the same state (and they pick up the shipping cost). For the retailer, it means an hour and a half ride to drop it off at the store (and on the return, each time)..which doesn't seem much better.

 

[JimE]

Check the Extended warranty. Most often lately, they simply exchange the device "for a similar model". They don't actually service the existing unit.

So it becomes a matter of conveinence for you. Which you would prefer to use. Honestly, I'd be surprised if you need the warranty. With the exception of outside causes (such as power outages, surges, dirty power), monitors are typically very dependable...especially name brands.

 

[Drtch]

Hmm. Good point. Let me try another tack. I have this new ASUS monitor (not even opened yet), which seemed to be a good deal..but

I very much like my present monitor--appearance and performance (e.g., 2 ms response time) (until recently, when I now need to give it a couple of minutes to "warm-up," but then very bright and functional). A tech I spoke to, said it was probably the power supply going out. $75 to fix. At first glance this seemed to be the time to replace (we both agreed). Yet, if it is only the power supply, and replacement would APPARENTLY mean..essentially a brand new monitor for several more years....maybe a viable alternative would be to spend the $75, and then just go on with "business as usual" with an item I am used to...and fend off the need for replacement for a few more years. Does this make any sense?

 

[WereBo]

It does, or you could do both and have a dual-monitor system.... :grin: