Strange Monitor Darkening Problem

talk random
1

I use a dual-monitor setup with my main lcd and a 17" CRT to the side. Recently, when I boot, the CRT goes really dark a second or so after getting to the desktop. But here’s the weird thing (to me, at least) the OSD and the MOUSE show up at the correct brightness. Does this make it a software problem? (Vista x64) Maybe 1 in 10 or so boots it will stay at the proper brightness and be fine until it’s switched off. :expressionless:

I didn’t notice it start after I changed anything, any ideas?

2

Please explain what’s darkening. The CRT goes dark, but the cursor displayed on the CRT stays the correct brightness? :q:

3

Possibly something to do with color management? You could open up the display settings, and go to the advanced settings and see what’s happening there. It could be that it’s getting applied as things start up. Not sure aside from that though.

4

Please explain what’s darkening. The CRT goes dark, but the cursor displayed on the CRT stays the correct brightness?
Exactly. Sometimes there is a [very] short delay before it goes dark. (<1 sec)

I can’t find anything under colour management that alters it, though I wouldn’t be that suprised.

If I uncheck “extend desktop onto this monitor” and reboot (MUST reboot), then enable it again, its fine until I switch off the computer again.

Edit: looks fine (not dark) in screenshots, too.

5

Cable problem ?

6

From my experience with CRTs (And even LCDs for that matter.), once they break, they stay broken. The thing with the cursor leads me to believe it’s a problem with either the hardware or software in your computer and not the monitor. Therefore I pose these two questions:

  1. Try setting your desktop background (Or any large area of screen space for that matter.) to the same color as your cursor (White). Does this large area stay bright like the cursor, or does it darken as well?
  2. Have you tried hooking up the monitor to another computer and see if the problem persists?
7

Graphics card could be fried

Test test test test

8

Simple plug it into another computer. It probably is a video card thing. A monitor problem would change the whole monitor.