Easiest test is to try a different monitor. If you don't have one, check the
video card. Sometimes they come loose and have to be pushed back in. Also,
make sure the monitor cable is plugged all the way in and there are no bent
pins. Could be the monitor OR the video card. Another test is to hook the
monitor to a different computer if you have one. Finally, check Device
Manager (I'm assuming you have Windows) to see that the display driver is
installed and working properly. Monitors do die, but in my experience they
usually die gradually. But of course, anything can happen.
Yes, I tried the suspsect monitor on another computer and confirmed that
it is dead. That original computer has been running fine for 4 months.
This monitor's symptoms began 4 months ago, I've been too busy to think
about it since then.
So, the PC is not the problem, I established that within minutes of the
ordeal. The monitor never exhibited a response with any other video
card on any of my other computers.
The plug looks ok. The pins look ok.
What I was wondering, is if we then assume that the problem is not any
external factor and is in fact an electronic fault of some sort within
the monitor, then what is the order of operations of troubleshooting
when it comes to monitors. I don't plan to open it up right away,
instead I'd like to do as much reading as I can on the topic first.
This is the first monitor that I will have messed with, but not the
first thing I've repaired or attempted to repair. I don't know much
about the various sections of monitors, how those sections work, what is
common and uncommon, what is easy to test first, and so forth. I spent
weeks trying to dig up literature on amplifliers, for example, but hoped
I might get there more quickly by asking this time. If this is
appropriate only for .repair, then I can redirect there.
At work, we get a fair number of dead monitors coming through. I'd like
the option of getting some of them up and running again rather than
pitching them.
Thank You.