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Solved My Two Monitors Suddenly "Died"

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Wendy

PCHF Member
Jul 12, 2017
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The monitor on my computer suddenly went black. The power button light went off. So I thought the monitor must have just reached its end - I don't remember how old it is but it's probably around at least 5 years (I got it used). I connected an old monitor that I had and it worked - for about twenty minutes. Then it died, too, with power button light off. I changed outlets for both and it made no difference. I don't understand how two monitors, even old ones, can both die within a few minutes of each other. So I'm worried that there is something in the computer that is killing them. Is that possible?

I borrowed a friend's DVD/monitor combination unit and connected it to my computer so I could post this. But if the computer somehow shorted out my two monitors I'm afraid to leave my friend's monitor connected to it.

I don't know if this is relevant but I was not able to shut off the monitor for the past few weeks. The on-off button would not shut the monitor so it always had the orange light on. The same was true for the second, old monitor that I connected.

Both of my monitors are Dell.

I have to give my friend's monitor back in a day or so and then I won't have anything. I could buy a new monitor but if the computer is causing the problem then that won't help.

I'd appreciate if someone would tell me what to do.
 
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Gee Wendy, it would be possible for your pc to kill the monitor but its not that common. Can you get us some more info?

I take it this is a desktop PC?

Is the monitor connected to a dedicated video card or to an onboard video outlet. This picture should give you a clue, is the monitor hooked up to a port inside a plate that has a lot of other sockets, or is it plugged into a separate add-in card like below?

monitor-connections.jpg


It is also strange that the on-off switch would not turn off either monitor.
 
I uploaded a picture of the back of the computer. I highlighted the connection but I don't know what that is connected to.

The "off" button stopped working a couple of months ago on both monitors. They felt like they weren't moving when I pressed them and so not making any contact to what they should have.
 

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My friend who lent me her DVD/monitor just took a look at my machine (she knows more than I do). She went to event viewer, found something there and said I should copy it here:

EventData

DriverNameLength40

DriverNameDISPLAY\DEL4023\4&2eee4626&0&UID16843008

Status3221226536

FailureNameLength14

FailureName\Driver\radpms

Version0


She showed me it had a date-time stamp of about when the first monitor died.

She saw something else which was after the second monitor died. She doesn't know if this is connected but said I should copy it also.

EventData

DriverNameLength17

DriverNameRoot\DISPLAY\0000

Status3221226536

FailureNameLength15

FailureName\Driver\lmimirr

Version0
 
Wendy you have onboard video, and the fact that you are still able to use the borrowed unit points to your monitors being faulty. I would suggest the fact that you could not turn either one off could well be related to the issue. Wouldn't be concerned about the event viewer logs ATM. The driver failures point to a legit app. Let me get you some more help here.

BTW, can you test the apparently failed monitors on another PC?
 
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Hello folks,

Could do with a little more info Wendy, can you tell us what version of Windows you are presently running and whether or not it has been upgraded at all, Windows 7 to Windows 10 for example.

Is the computer a custom build or a brand name, if a brand name post the brand and exact model name or number for us so that we can do some research.

Knowing the above may give us an idea as to what the problem is and how to go about resolving it.

You mention that the monitors that have stopped working are both the Dell brand and each about five years old, if both are correct you should be able to run the integrated Dell monitor test the details for which you will find here
 
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Phillpower2: Computer is a Dell. Windows is 7.

I haven't been back on as I had to give back the borrowed monitor. I ordered one online because I needed it right away. It's working so you're right Gus that the old monitors just went at the same time. So I'm back up. I should have been more careful in ordering this monitor as I don't like this one. I was careful not to order one that said widescreen but apparently even if it doesn't say that it's still a widescreen. Or at least I guess maybe it's this aspect ratio that is annoying - I'm just used to a squarer screen. My friend showed me where to change the resolution because the text was too small ( it was 1920x1080 so I lowered it). But now some web site pages are too big and need continuous scrolling. I changed it again - just trying different places on the bar - and now other things look distorted, especially playing MP4.

Sorry...I apologize. I just went off topic of the thread. Thank you everyone for your help. I know I came off sounding desperate - which I was - but still I probably should have made my post a little calmer.
 
Sounds like your old monitors were just that, old, with a 4:3 aspect ratio. Most new ones are 16:9 and you will get used to it pretty quick. Normally Windows will automatically pick the most suitable resolution and size.

Please don't apologize, not necessary at all:)

Do you consider this solved now?
 
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