Monitor keeps shutting off

[A-Cat]

I'm using a MAC monitor connected to an HP Pavillion running ME since my Gateway monitor died. It's been working fine even though I've had this happen alot in the past. The monitor clicks off/light goes out while working but you could usually turn it back on and be fine.
Starting last night, as the computer powers up the monitor goes on, you can see the ME screen but then clicks off before you can see the desktop. I thought that if I shut down the computer from the harddrive it might boot up and work fine. I read a past post on this but thought I'd see if there is something that anyone may know is inherent in MAC monitors before I trash this one, too.

Update: Tried another monitor. Same thing happens where the ME screen comes on then a blank screen but this monitor is not powering off; the light is still on. Also, the most recent change is that I set up a wireless network a few days ago.

[Ned Seagoon]

Hi A-Cat

Welcome to CTH.

Not sure on this one, but a few things to check.

Cables, are they all OK, could you borrow some others to substitute?

Screen resolution, does this change at the close down point? Can you set so that it doesn't, just to eliminate this as a cause?

Can you adjust anything on the monitor that is associated with sleep mode? I don't know if Mac monitors have anything like this, perhaps a check of the manufacturers site might enlighten. BF

[A-Cat]

Hi BigFred and thank you The Mac monitor isn't any different except for the connection (and an apple) but I have an adapter. Good idea to check but no sleep mode button. I thought that I may have jiggled the video card or something out last week when I switched out the CD burner. I just took it apart and made sure everything was tight but that didn't work. Can't tell about the resolution; can't see the screen at all to change anything. The other monitor I tried had it's own cords so it's not the cord. Still powers up with the harddrive, ME screen pops up and...it clicks off. When I turn it back on the screen stays dark and it clicks off again, immediately.

I'm writing from my laptop, which at the same time, goes into hibernation and never wakes up. (XP) I've gone into my power options and disabled hibernation but it still seems to be doing this. Once I shut down illegally and reboot I'm okay until I leave it alone for awhile. I've been working on both of these all day.

[A-Cat]

Turns out it was the monitor settings. Since I couldn't get to the screen to change, had to start in SAFE mode. In case anyone else has this problem here is the solution:

1. Turn on the computer and press the F8 key repeatedly when the first startup screen appears. If the screen does not appear go to the next Step.
   
2. If you are using Windows XP, select Enable VGA Mode, press Enter, and wait until Windows opens. If Windows does not open, go to the next step. If you are using Windows 98 or ME, select Safe Mode and perform the following steps to enter into a standard VGA mode:
   
   
   
   
   1. Once Windows opens to the desktop in Safe Mode, click Start, and Run. If Windows does not open, go to the next step.
   2. In the Open field type msconfig and press Enter.
   3. The MS Configuration Utility window appears.
   4. Click the Advanced button, and select VGA 640 x 480 x 16 if it is available.
   5. Click OK and restart the computer.
   6. After Windows opens, click Start, and Run.
   7. In the Open field type msconfig and press Enter.
   8. Click the Advanced button, and remove the checkmark next to VGA 640 x 480 x 16.
   9. Click OK. Do NOT restart the computer.
   
   
3. After Windows opens, right click on an open area of the desktop and select Properties.
4. In the Display Properties window, click the Advanced tab.
5. Adjust the Color Quality and Screen Resolution setting to a better setting. A screen resolution of 1024x768 and a color quality of high or highest is good.
6. Click Apply after you have made your adjustment. The screen should blank out temporarily and come back.
7. If you are happy with the new display settings, click Yes on the Monitor Settings windows. If you are not happy or if the screen just goes black, wait and Windows sets the screen back to the way it was before. Try another setting until you find a display configuration that's compatible with the monitor and meets your needs.

So, thanks and I hope this helps someone else.

[Ned Seagoon]

Thanks A-Cat, glad you got it worked out. Guess you were trying to make the monitor do something it wasn't capable of doing, with the old settings. BF