With the computer OFF, unplug the wires from the monitor and the computer, just to be sure nothing is loose. Replug everything with the new monitor but be sure the computer is OFF when you plug and unplug.

Then, after you plug in the new monitor and power up the computer, it should be Plug and Play, so the computer, if you have XP, should recognize it and that should be all. If it doesn't work properly, you might need to install drivers for it, you can rt. click on your desktop, properties, display settings, advanced, adapter properties, chose Monitor, drivers tab, and update drivers. This will overwrite your old monitor's drivers, and you will have to redo this when you reconnect your old monitor or buy a new one, drivers are specific to each monitor.

Good luck.

PS: Yes, you need to unplug the monitor from the surge protector as well as the computer. Missed that question!

Thank you for your help. Haven't been able to get a different monitor to try yet, but when I do it will be from a computer that is older than mine now. Mine is an Windows XP and the monitor that I will be able to try is a Windows ME. Should that make a difference that the monitor to try is older than mine? Thanks again.

No a monitor's age is not an issue (unless it's new and is only digital and you have only an analog video card, but older should not be a problem), the monitor is an independent item, can be used with most any computer. They are not really related in any way.

As you have XP, when you follow the above instructions, it will come on and plug and play should provide enuf to answer your question about monitor or computer problem. How old is your monitor, most have a three year warranty, you may be able to get a replacement if it's broken, and it does sound like a monitor problem.

The monitor and computer are 2 years old this past Feb. Do you think if I took it in they could check it to see if it monitor problem? When it acts up it doesn't always happen each time I use the computer. Sometimes I'm not on very long and then it doesn't act up.

From the other thread I see this is a 17 inch CRT monitor

I would not recommend getting a monitor fixed. As I understand it there is a fixed fee for CRT monitors (or used to be) of $100. The warranty might only be 30 days. You would not need much more than that for a new LCD monitor.
You can buy a good used one for well under the $100. Check your local craigslist.com computer sales area. The Toronto Craigslist is currently offering a Samsung 19 inch for $35 - (Toronto is near me that is why I looked there)

Perk, What is the warranty on your monitor from the manufacturer, it should be in the paperwork you got when you bought the computer. Don't take it into a shop to be checked, they will charge you more than it's worth. If it is still under warranty, call the manufacturer and go thru some checking with their tech support. Usually they can determine if it's defective, and if so, they will send you a refurb and you will just put the broken one in the same box and return it to them for free.

If it's not under warranty, do what owbist suggested.

You mentioned it doesn't happen when it hasn't been on very long. I don't know what kind of weird things are happening, but it seems to me you can't rule out a heat problem with the computer itself. I would take the cover off and take a look inside, blow out the dust and make sure fans are working. You need good air circulation around the computer.

I found the warranty and it is 3 years PSP (Performance service plan). I'm wondering if I could bring it to where I purchased it (Best Buy) and see if they can look at it. When I said it isn't on long sometimes I meant I'm not on the computer a lot so it is hard to say if it would happen more if I were on for longer periods at a time. I'm usually on for about a half hour a day. Sometimes the screen goes crazy and sometimes not. When it goes crazy the bottom 2/3 is black then the upper 1/3 is bright (clear) but vibrating and in between the 2/3 and 1/3 screen is a very bright line.

Well now, I think in the original thread you said this is 2 years old. If so certainly get with Best Buy and see what happens. If you bought the computer and monitor as a package then can we assume you bought the 3 year deal for the whole computer?

I ask that because I wonder if the problem is the monitor or the video card acting up. With coverage on all the components you have nothing to fear regarding the warranty.

It is 2 years old. The warranty looks like it is for 3 years for the whole computer.