This post is part of the series Boot-up Troubleshooter.
When you are having boot up problems, the easiest one to troubleshoot is the monitor.
First check if the monitor’s power lights are glowing. If it isn’t then may be it isn’t getting any power. Check power cables and sockets to make sure all the plugs and cables are working fine. If you have one of the new monitors, then you’ll have some flashy message of some sort shown up on the screen which indicates to you that something is not fine with your monitor.
Sometimes it is very obvious, but then I’d like to still point it out, check the ‘brightness’ setting and make sure it’s not turned down inadvertently.
One of the other common cause can be because of the Windows application, Advanced Power Management (APM). Using APM users can set time out for different components of the system to go to standby mode. This is very useful to save power. When APM is used to set time out for monitors, a slightest movement of the mouse will bring the monitor back to life, if it’s gone to the standby mode. You should make sure if this is working fine and is not the cause of the problem.
To check that APM is not enabled by default on your PC,
> right-click the Desktop, click Properties,
> Screensavers –> Settings.
From here you can alter the APM setting to your choice or turn it off completely. Advanced Power Management is a Windows application that can cause a monitor to appear to be ‘dead’ Always check this possibility first.
Well if everything seems to be right and still the monitor doesn’t show up, then try replacing the monitor to with a working set, this acts as the last line of defence. This will let you know if the monitor is faulty and if it is, then you should think about a replacement.
Monitors are dangerous and lethal in terms of high voltages they carry. You should try and look inside only if you have enough experience. If not apart from risking your monitor, you may be risking your life as well !!