Why is my LCD Monitor blanking out?

[beansbaxter]

The hardware is a KDS Model 17SX Flat-Panel LCD Display. I purchased it without a power cord, but according to the website, it was a "Unversal Fit 12V" so I bought a universal plug for $16 at Wal-Mart that does 12v at 1000Ma.

That said...when I plug in the power cord to the monitor, the self-test no video signal comes up fine. Then when I plug it into my tower (video card is a Radeon 9600 AGP) and the monitor will only display for about one second before blanking back out.

For instance, once Windows XP boots up, you will see the desktop for a second, looks just fine, but then the display blanks out. I noticed the LED light on the KDS monitor is green still, not amber, so I know it didnt go into standby mode.

If I manually hit the power button to turn the monitor off, and then turn it back on, once again you can see the desktop just fine but only for a second before it blanks back out again.

Is it the power supply? If it really is a universal plug, then that shouldnt matter. Any suggestions if its not a power issue?

 

[mechBgon]

Maybe your video card is pushing a refresh rate that the monitor can't handle. Try this:

1) start in Safe Mode

2) go through the motions of setting the resolution & refresh rate to 800 x 600 @ 60Hz in the ATI Displays tab of the Display panel

3) apply and confirm the setting change, then restart the system normally and see if it comes up ok. Now raise the resolution but hold the 60Hz refresh rate.


Hope that helps

 

[beansbaxter]

I will try that right now...

The only reason I didnt think it was the card's refresh rate, was because when the computer does the POST, I hit delete (Asus mobo) and goto the BIOS, and the monitor does the same thing.

If I kick it back on manually, it stays on for a second then blanks out again...

Funny thing was that yesterday I updated to the newest Catalyst drivers for Doom 3 so I dont know if it is the video card driver, but I figured the BIOS level wouldnt matter.

I'll try the Safe mode thing now though...

 

[mechBgon]

Huh So it was working normally up until yesterday?

 

[beansbaxter]

Same problem in safe mode.

Maybe this will help...

It doesnt matter if it is BIOS, the F8 menu booting into Windows, Safe or Normal mode, the monitor just stays on for a second. I have to do the manual on/off thing just to use that second of visual to click or enter where I need to continue on to.

I quickly hit the Menu button for that second and noticed these numbers:

In DOS Mode:
Refresh for H and V is 31 and 59 respectively.

In Windows Safe Mode:
Refresh for H and V is 48 and 59 respectively.

 

[mechBgon]

I wonder if the video card is spazzing out. Do you have a different monitor you could swap in there for a few minutes, or a different video card? You wouldn't even need to boot up, just park it in the BIOS and see if it stays on.

 

[beansbaxter]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Huh So it was working normally up until yesterday?

Well it normally just had a standard 17" monitor hooked up. I've had this KDS sittin on the table forever, just lacking a power cord to use it. So today I went out and finally bought one at Wal-Mart, hence my discovery of this one issue.

 

[beansbaxter]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
I wonder if the video card is spazzing out. Do you have a different monitor you could swap in there for a few minutes, or a different video card? You wouldn't even need to boot up, just park it in the BIOS and see if it stays on.

Yeah that's what I was going to do...I know a different monitor works good on it. I was going to try a different video card next.

 

[beansbaxter]

Well I tried a different video card, this time an nVidia GeForce 5200 64Mb AGP, same problem.

Stays on for second, then blanks right out. If I turn it back on and off, I can see it for a second. LED light is still green, not amber.

 

[mechBgon]

Got another video cable you could try on it?

 

[beansbaxter]

Hey what do you think about the Ma rating of the power. The back of the monitor, KDS' website, and the manual just say DC 12V 4A, nothing about Ma ratings.

When I was looking at universal power supplies, I almost got a 12V 300Ma but it said that it would not work for devices that needed a 600Ma or 1000Ma. So I ponied up a few extra dollars to get the 1000Ma since it was the biggest thing out there.

Do you think that there is not adequate power? Or the polarity (Ma) is the fault. Just a thought.

 

[beansbaxter]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Got another video cable you could try on it?

No I dont...that's a good idea...I might have to track one down during normal daylight hours tomorrow.

 

[beansbaxter]

It just occurred to me that when regular monitors are turned on, the monitor displays the message that everything is ok and to check for a video signal. My LCD monitor does the same, but...

It doesnt stay on, except for a second and then blacks out, keeping a green LED on. For a regular monitor, that message stays on constantly until it enters standby or you shut it off.

How hard is it to find an oem KDS power supply? I've already called KDS and left a message on their voice mail. Nowhere on ebay is there one either.

 

[mechBgon]

Too bad I don't have a spare VGA cable or I could mail it to you, I see you're just down Hwy. 195 in Pullman Many a time I've ridden that 72 miles on my bicycle, back when I was at WSU failing my ChemE studies...


*thinks many thoughts*

 

[beansbaxter]

Dang I need to update my profile...I'm living in Spokane now. Talk about small world.

 

[GEC]

Hi All
If the power info you posted is correct, your power supply is to small. 1 amp is 1000ma. If your monitor requires 4 amps the power supply must be 4000ma. You are 75% to small.

GEC

 

[beansbaxter]

Originally posted by: GEC
Hi All
If the power info you posted is correct, your power supply is to small. 1 amp is 1000ma. If your monitor requires 4 amps the power supply must be 4000ma. You are 75% to small.

GEC

Aaaaaah....that makes sense...now I know what the prob is.

 

[mechBgon]

You might post a WTB thread in the For Sale & Trade forum here, nothing to lose by trying Or maybe KDS will be able to help you out.