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Monitor screen wants to go black!

18 years ago

I had the tech here last week, and he did some tweeking on the monitor, now, it wants to flicker, and sometimes go black, for no reason. Is this a sign I am pooping out, or has the fella done something I should know about, and perhaps rectify?

I am using a Gateway monitor from 1999 I guess, and as long as I am asking questions, the tech and I discussed upgrading, but the fact that I love my Windows 98, and feel I don't really need the new stuff, as I just write letters, and do a little surfing, and some word processing.

He thought perhaps he could give me a faster machine, and install Windows 98 for me. Would this give me the option of upgrading to another program in the future? I don't want Vista at this time, or should I consider perhaps going to XP instead of staying with 98?

Need some input here, about the monitor as well, so put your thinking caps on, and hope I can get back here before everything goes black, and I am lost for good.

Thanks for any thoughts.

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Comments (4)

grandms
18 years ago
Shaddy, if you can get a faster computer and have the tech put XP on it, I think you'd be very happy. Since I don't have or intend to go to Vista anytime soon, I can't say anything about that. I find XP to be so much more stable than Windows 98 was, and all my old programs that I used with 98 work on XP. If your computer activities are just those things you mention, then XP is fine. I doubt it would cost you any more to have XP than to have 98, and since MS no longer supports 98 with security updates, I would NEVER buy a new machine with 98 on it.

As far as the monitor, I have no idea what the problem is, but you would definitely enjoy a nice large LCD monitor, and it would be light weight and not take up all that space that a CRT does (I'm assuming a monitor circa 1999 is a CRT).
shaddy101
Original Author
18 years ago
Thank you Grandms, appreciate your thoughts so much, one who has some insight into what others of us go thru, know there are some that can handle the problems, some of us just can't no matter what...
It is not a matter of not trying, it is knowing one's limits.
The upgrading with XP is also ok'd by daughter, she says it's not that different from 98.
As far as the monitor, guess I will have to just keep my fingers crossed, and hope for the best. Will call them again, and inquire. Why don't they call back when they say they will?
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Well I do not think yoiu need to be thinking about replacing a one year old triple core computer with windows 7. From the specs it looks like you have to remove the right side to see inside the case. Take the side panel off and check that the fans are running. Leave the side off and the next time you get a black screen check again to see if fans are running. You likely have 2 fans, one over the processor and heatsink and the other inside the power supply. Also check for dust build up on the fan and heatsink, a build up can cause the computer to shut down when a high temperature is reached. This is to protect the processor. DO NOT go inside the power supply even with the computer off as this holds power long after the computer is shut down. What other peripherals besides the mouse and keyboard do you have attached? I ask as it seems you only have a 220 watt power supply
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zep516
18 years ago
That is an old monitor you have and may simply be running out of steam, the other thing I'd like to add is it is always better to do a clean install of xp, rather then an upgrade to it something you could mention to the tech, and he should agree.
shaddy101
Original Author
18 years ago
Zep, sure appreciate your input here, and guess yes, it would be a clean install, not an upgrade, as I am thinking, perhaps the whole thing needs new? I have some money laid by, and maybe would be best to do this now, while the sales are out there, before I really need something? I am thinking maybe, at some time in the future, I won't be so active with the machine as I am at this time. Never know what tomorrow brings, but, thought as long as I can afford it now, maybe should take the chance?

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