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Question

Desktop Computer Video Signal Cycles On/Off to Monitor

Aug 3, 2016 3:50PM PDT

I'm dealing with an HP 2011x monitor and Inspiron 3847 box running windows 10.

The video signal between computer and monitor seems to be cycling on and off. For a few seconds I can see a computer screen (website, spreadsheet, whatever), and then that turns off to be replaced for a few seconds by a "check video cable" message, then a few seconds later the screen becomes active again, and then the "check video cable" comes back again etc, etc, etc.

I have rebooted the computer, rebooted the monitor, and verified that the video cables are properly attached.

I'm guessing that the video card is about to go belly up. Anyone have any other ideas?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Here's the test we use.
Aug 3, 2016 4:57PM PDT

We try another monitor on this PC and this monitor on another PC.

That usually determines what to do next.

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Answer
Thanks for the response.
Aug 3, 2016 7:12PM PDT

Took the monitor to a second PC with the old cable and got the same result. Changed out cables and got the same result. So it appears that the problem is with the monitor (presumably the monitor chip set).. Any other suggestions?

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Now the last test.
Aug 3, 2016 7:47PM PDT

Try a good monitor on the first PC.

Monitors are rarely repaired. In fact, here, never.

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Monitor
Aug 4, 2016 3:05AM PDT

If the monitor has more than one input type...dvi/vga/etc try the other type.