Monitor Dying?

RealityRipple · Aug 23, 2008, 04:15 PM

I have an Acer AL1716 17" LCD monitor (DVI). It's a couple years old, but it's been functioning so far. Recently (about the time of my latest bios update), it's started acting strangely. Whenever I turn it on after it being off or in a sleep state for a long period of time, the power turns off and flashes on for a fraction of a second, repeatedly. Blink... Blink... Blink... It does this for a bit longer than it takes for Windows to start, so that by the time the power light finally stays on and the screen shows up, everything's ready.
I've already tried using it in a different computer, so I'm sure it's the monitor that's doing it. So far, it hasn't actually failed to turn on, however the time it takes to get started every day is increasing. Is there anything I can do to save it, or am I just going to have to spend some money on a nice new 24" widescreen?

Judas · Aug 23, 2008, 04:26 PM

aside from taking it to a repair place (which would likely cost you more to fix then it would to replace).. or talking with Acer support to see what they say, there isn't a whole lot you can do yourself with the monitor.

Flashing on and off like that rapidly is a bit of an oddity though.... usually powersupply failure or similare as it's "trying" to start the backlight up and it's not able to do it, taking several attempts.

Just outa courosity... are you in a relatively high humid place?

cozumel · Aug 23, 2008, 04:27 PM

If it makes you feel any better, Acer Singapore and UK both offer a 3 year warranty for LCDs. Don't know if it is the same where you are. Do check though.

I got a replacement for my last (IIyama) monitor that failed over two years after purchase and they picked collected/delivered for free.

RealityRipple · Aug 23, 2008, 04:40 PM

I live in an oak forest in California. It's not particularly humid, no.

I'd find out exactly how long it's been, but Newegg's currently giving me:

Quote:

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cozumel · Aug 23, 2008, 04:42 PM

Contact Acer direct. Two years is way too long to go via the reseller imo. You may even find the warranty terms on Acer USA website.

Edit: I would try swapping with another monitor and/or cable to ensure that RMA is correct.

Tyrsonswood · Aug 23, 2008, 04:45 PM

It sounds like you may be headed toward a hardware failure there pretty soon. If the monitor does the same thing on a different' computer it's not related to the bios flash. If you are handy at this stuff it may be possible to repair, but very costly to have someone else repair.

I found a Dell 17" in my neighbors trash that was "DOA" but found several bad caps in the power section that was stopping the unit from turning on at all, I replaced those and now have a "new" monitor for free..... not all repairs would be this easy, some are just a few caps, others could be major components costing $$$$. If my neighbor had tried to have this repaired at a service center it would probably have cost him about what a repacement monitor would cost new.....

If you're not competent with the soldering stuff then it makes that wide screen option look better all the time...... matter of fact I think that's what my neighbor did.... the "dead" dell monitor was out in the trash along with an empty box from an HP wide screen.

Peace

RealityRipple · Aug 23, 2008, 04:51 PM

I haven't done any soldering since high school... Sort of got out of the hardware game in favor of programming. I'm not looking on Newegg for returning it; I'm trying to find out when I bought it, so I can see if it's still under warranty.

cozumel · Aug 23, 2008, 05:00 PM

There is also this link on Acer USA website titled FixMyAcer. The 'phone number may be useful too. Couldn't find anyhting specific on warranty terms on LCDs for the USA.

Good luck!!

Quote:

Fix My Acer is a web application to facilitate the repair of Acer Notebook, LCD Monitor, Desktop and Projector products. If you believe that your Acer product is in need of hardware repair, simply follow the steps in this web site to obtain a Service Request (SR) and facilitate the repair of your Acer product.

[COLOR=Red]Please do not ship piece parts of your unit to us, this application is only intended to help you faciliate the repair of your entire unit. If you believe that only one part of your unit needs to be replaced, please call us at 1-254-298-4696.[/COLOR]

To get started with Fix My Acer, please enter the serial number of your Acer product below and click "Next"

RealityRipple · Aug 23, 2008, 07:27 PM

Looks like the warranty's good until Jan 09! Sending it in for repairs. Thank you!

cozumel · Aug 23, 2008, 07:48 PM

I'm glad things look like they're gonna work out

One thing I'm wondering though:

Quote:

Originally Posted by RealityRipple

I live in an oak forest in California.

In the middle of an oak forest? Doesn't that a get a bit lonely? What do you do for electricity supply? Have you ever thought moving to a town or city? Even a small village or hamlet could provide good company.

RealityRipple · Aug 23, 2008, 08:12 PM

My home is entirely Solar powered. I don't much care for people.

Tyrsonswood · Aug 23, 2008, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cozumel

One thing I'm wondering though:In the middle of an oak forest? Doesn't that a get a bit lonely? What do you do for electricity supply? Have you ever thought moving to a town or city? Even a small village or hamlet could provide good company.

Hey, I used to have a home in the middle of an oak forest.... I moved to a small town, now I have brain damage....

Stay in the woods RealityRipple. it's safer there

cozumel · Aug 23, 2008, 10:15 PM

I bet it's beautiful though, the peace and tranquility of the forest.

Tipstaff · Aug 23, 2008, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cozumel

I bet it's beautiful though, the peace and tranquility of the forest.

... mired by the hum, and eventual break down of technology that is in, and/or runs your home. Then all that peace and tranquillity goes out the door, starting with the first words out of your own mouth.

RealityRipple · Aug 24, 2008, 04:11 AM

Actually, as much as I love technology, I love the world around me infinitely more.

Aug 23, 2008, 04:15 PM	#1
RealityRipple Embrace Entropy Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Los Berros Canyon, Nipomo, CA Posts: 195 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Monitor Dying? I have an Acer AL1716 17" LCD monitor (DVI). It's a couple years old, but it's been functioning so far. Recently (about the time of my latest bios update), it's started acting strangely. Whenever I turn it on after it being off or in a sleep state for a long period of time, the power turns off and flashes on for a fraction of a second, repeatedly. Blink... Blink... Blink... It does this for a bit longer than it takes for Windows to start, so that by the time the power light finally stays on and the screen shows up, everything's ready. I've already tried using it in a different computer, so I'm sure it's the monitor that's doing it. So far, it hasn't actually failed to turn on, however the time it takes to get started every day is increasing. Is there anything I can do to save it, or am I just going to have to spend some money on a nice new 24" widescreen?

Aug 23, 2008, 04:27 PM	#3
cozumel I'm dangerous but cute... Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Under the waves... Posts: 3,577 Rep Power: 60 System Specs	If it makes you feel any better, Acer Singapore and UK both offer a 3 year warranty for LCDs. Don't know if it is the same where you are. Do check though. I got a replacement for my last (IIyama) monitor that failed over two years after purchase and they picked collected/delivered for free. __________________ Don't worry about money - Be a beach bum! Scuba Rocks

Aug 23, 2008, 04:42 PM	#5
cozumel I'm dangerous but cute... Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Under the waves... Posts: 3,577 Rep Power: 60 System Specs	Contact Acer direct. Two years is way too long to go via the reseller imo. You may even find the warranty terms on Acer USA website. Edit: I would try swapping with another monitor and/or cable to ensure that RMA is correct. __________________ Don't worry about money - Be a beach bum! Scuba Rocks

Aug 23, 2008, 10:15 PM	#13
cozumel I'm dangerous but cute... Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Under the waves... Posts: 3,577 Rep Power: 60 System Specs	I bet it's beautiful though, the peace and tranquility of the forest. __________________ Don't worry about money - Be a beach bum! Scuba Rocks

Aug 23, 2008, 04:51 PM	Thread Starter #7
RealityRipple Embrace Entropy Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Los Berros Canyon, Nipomo, CA Posts: 195 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	I haven't done any soldering since high school... Sort of got out of the hardware game in favor of programming. I'm not looking on Newegg for returning it; I'm trying to find out when I bought it, so I can see if it's still under warranty.

Aug 23, 2008, 07:27 PM	Thread Starter #9
RealityRipple Embrace Entropy Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Los Berros Canyon, Nipomo, CA Posts: 195 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Looks like the warranty's good until Jan 09! Sending it in for repairs. Thank you!

Aug 23, 2008, 08:12 PM	Thread Starter #11
RealityRipple Embrace Entropy Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Los Berros Canyon, Nipomo, CA Posts: 195 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	My home is entirely Solar powered. I don't much care for people.

Aug 24, 2008, 04:11 AM	Thread Starter #15
RealityRipple Embrace Entropy Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Los Berros Canyon, Nipomo, CA Posts: 195 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Actually, as much as I love technology, I love the world around me infinitely more.