At work we have a small network of 4 computers. At one of these stations we are now on our 3rd LCD flat panel. Before that it had a CRT monitor that we retired because the contrast was getting bad. The 2 LCD’s that died have just gone black, the power was on, everything was connected but the monitors were not working. One of the monitors was tried out on another computer to make sure the monitor was the problem. Is there something that could cause monitors to short out but leave the computer itself still in working condition? The computer, a label printer and the monitor are all that are plugged in there and they are plugged into a surge strip. We have two other LCD flat panels and one dinosaur CRT at other stations that are still plugging along.
I suppose it is possible that PC has a problem with its video card that is causing it but I’ve never heard of such a thing, it could simply be coincidence.
“Surge strips”, especially cheap ones, can be hit by a surge that burns out their protective capacity – but they continue to conduct just fine, but with no protective ability. If that has happened to yours, it is really providing no protection. And possibly this particular electrical circuit is more subject to surges than others, so it keeps burning out LCD monitors.
Is not the computer plugged into the same surge strip?
I’d check to make sure the monitors aren’t all plugged into (their) same power circuit that is different than any other device. Perhaps a power circuit shared with another larger machinery such as a refrigerator or other compressor with surges.
Video cards only put out 5V however they have access to 12V, so, ask around to see who wants a new monitor and plug the video card into their computer.
Is there anything interesting near the problem station? If it’s against a wall, what’s the other side of the wall?
Nothing interesting. One wall has a hallway on the other side and the other wall has the outside on the other side. It’s a thick masonry block wall. There is a generator outside but it’s at least 5 feet from the site of the computer.
I checked with the company that provided the software program we use and our computer stations, they suggested the same things. Replace the surge strip and check out the monitors on other computers as it could be a video card problem. I did switch out the surge strip for a small APC today but I didn’t have time to test the monitors.
Thanks for the help.
You’ll also want to try putting the suspect video card into another computer (and using the known good monitor that’s already at the station).
If I am going to be removing video cards why not just replace it? The computer is one of the original CPU’s from when we got the system six years ago. I don’t see any point in trying to see if the video card is salvageable. Actually, I’m not even sure if I could find one that’s compatible for such an old computer.
That qualifies as interesting. Can you move the PC or generator further away? How is the generator shielded?
Here’s another thought: have you checked the power cable? Does it have the correct fuse in it? It’s very easy to put the lead that should go into the computer into the monitor and one may be 5 or 10 Amp and the other 3 Amp.
There’s no place else to put that station that wouldn’t end up being closer to the generator. I don’t know about shielding but it’s one of the big Generacs that runs on natural gas. As I said it’s at least 2 feet from the wall and five to 6 feet, possibly more, away from the area in question.
As far as I know the power cords used were the power cords for the monitors. The new one is definitely the one for that monitor.
Hmm… I’m reminded of the vehicle weighing station I used to look after. They weighed lorries and the like and had real problems with EM Induction and power surges. But it was the PCs that failed, and not the monitors.
I’ve two suggestions: get an anti-static mat and try switching the monitor for the CRT. With the CRT, instruct the user to be on the lookout for anything funny with the image - a momentary discoloration, for example - and then try and correlate outside events with it.