How frustrating! I was in the middle of typing when my screen just turned all white. I tried restarting the computer and turning the screen off and back on. I then tried disconnecting it and even unplugging it--all to no avail!

Now, I'm using my laptop and apparently I get a bit of a signal from someone else's wireless internet, because that's what I'm connected to right now! Haha, I could have been using my laptop more often this whole time and didn't even know it!

Anyway, does anyone have any ideas about my computer screen? If you need to know, it's a Dell computer and a flat LCD screen. I've had it since 2003, so it's a bit old. This is the first time it's done this.

Edited to add: Just thought to add that the screen still times out like it's supposed to after a few minutes. Maybe it's the computer's fault?

Well, I guess you can scratch the screen problem. I left my computer alone for about three hours and came back to find my screen working again. The computer was frozen and I had to restart it, but it seems to be working now. It has been freezing up a lot lately, so I guess the screen problem shouldn't have surprised me too much. I just hope it doesn't happen again!

It could be the computer rather than the monitor but it's difficult to be certain without trying another monitor. The monitor has a circuit board in it and that could have an intermittent fault.

If the problem persists, make sure that the connector lead between the monitor and the computer is not loose. You could also try (or have someone try) re-seating the graphics card. Can you borrow another monitor to try?

The person who's connection you are borrowing should perhaps secure their wireless connection.

Ok, thanks for the input. I'm holding my breath that the screen doesn't mess up again. I always have my laptop as a back-up, but I'd still like to keep my regular computer going as long as I can.

I'm sure I could find another monitor to borrow if it happens again. I don't know who I could get to check the card and I know I couldn't do it.

Again, thanks for the advice. This was a first for me and I really didn't know what had happened.

To be honest Tiffany it sounds to me like you may be having a problem with the video card on the PC. It's very rare that monitors go bad.

Have you updated your graphics or motherboard drivers lately?

If you can post the service tag of your Dell PC or just post the Model #, I can track down the files from Dell's website that you need to download.

Chances are, since your PC is almost 5 years old now, lots of updated drivers have been released by Dell between the time you bought it and now.

-Dan

I haven't updated it. It actually did go white again for a few minutes yesterday (or was it the day before?).

Would the tag be found on the tower?

Yes Tiffany. On Dell machines, the service tag is typically located on the side of the tower. It's usually on a white sticker with a barcode and a 5-7 digit alphanumeric number. For example: DSY7706

Ok, the service tag is J2BTV21.

Congratulations lioness! I'm sure you are thoroughly enjoying it by now!

Update: Well, I have had another monitor connected for a few days now. My original monitor kept going out and then went out Sunday and wouldn't come back on. It just stayed white. This monitor hasn't had any problems since I connected it two days ago. I guess that means that it is the board/chip in the monitor and not the computer.

Since the problem seems very intermittent, keep running the monitor connected at present for another day or so. Then swap back to the original one to see if the fault recurs. I think a bit of going from onto the other might be necessary to be absolutely certain that it is the monitor.

If the problem doesn't come back with either monitor, it could be that plugging/unplugging the lead is what made the difference. This might point to a bad connection rather than anything else.

Ok, I'll try that. I've had the borrowed monitor connected since Monday and haven't had any problems with it. I will try reconnecting the original monitor this weekend to see what happens.

I really don't like the borrowed monitor because I am so used to mine, but a monitor is a monitor.