LCD Monitor randomly loses/regains signal while laptop display stays on

[GreenLantern]

I have a Lenovo x201i
Intel i3 2.40GHz, 2GB RAM with extended display to a Samsung E2320 LCD, Win7Pro64bit (thru a docking station)

Every 10-30 min the monitor will lose signal for a few seconds (monitor power light goes off) and then returns as if elves are unplugging/plugging it back in. Meanwhile the laptop display stays on as it should.

It regains signal with no one at the keyboard/mouse.

I've checked the connections, they're fine.
Was using a dock, hooked up directly, same issue.
CPU has been below 10% when it happens, RAM is invariably above 80% usage though.

Recent changes? none but...
I believe this is a red herring but coincidentally the limited RAM I have has recently gotten Excel complaining with messages to close other programs in order to open a worksheet.

Remaining suspects?
Monitor, Motherboard, bios?

I am stumped. Any ideas? (I will try to get another monitor to test and report back)

 

[C1]

You dont mention the connection type so I assume it is VGA/SVGA. Connect the notebook VGA/SVAG output to your TV and see if the signal disruption is due to the computer. If so, drill down in the graphics properties of the computer to see if there is a power management setting available when using an external monitor. (Also check Power Management options in Control Panel.)

Test the monitor using another computer. Intermittent video signal loss could be due to a bad solder joint in the Samsung.

 

[GreenLantern]

It is VGA.
This is my work monitor.
I'll take it home tonight and try it with my LG LCD there.

btw, the graphic chip is an Intel HD Graphic (Core i3)

I don't think it's power mgt (because of the widely random times between outages and the fact that no mouse or keyboard input is needed to bring it back)

Regardless in the Intel Graphics and Media Control Panel under Display/Monitor/TVSettings there are no power settings.
Under Power there is only 3 choices (Max Batt Life, Balance, Max Performance). It's set to Balance.

Under Power Options in Ctrl Panel, I combed through the Adv Power Settings of the mode I'm in (Energy Saver) but among the many options, none refer to external displays.

So tonight I'll try a different monitor and report back. Thanks for the reply.

 

[GreenLantern]

sorry, no time last night to test other monitor.
will certainly try over this weekend