System: IBM Thinkpad R40, 1.25 GB memory, docking station, external HD, Win XP Pro, networked, WiFi, and WinTV.

Princeton VL1918 flat panel monitor has suddenly started flashing on/off at startup or warmup. Cycles on for 3 seconds, off for 3 seconds, and when it turns on there is a sound like a light switch being turned on (this sound does not come from monitor speakers--which are disconnected). This lasts for about 10-15 minutes, and with each cycle the sound becomes a little softer. Once this is over, monitor works as normal.

Also, laptop monitor displays perfectly and does not have these symptoms. All wires, cables have been checked and are ok.

Thanks for any help you can give.

Ron

Hey Ron and welcome to D-A-L.

This is typical inverters are going bad symptoms, and a common problem. Your local repair shop should be able to fix this with no problems. Parts are typically $65 - $110 and it takes about 1 hour labor for an experienced technician.

See Laptop Inverter Repair.

Thanks so much for your help. Sounds like it might be just as cheap (or cheaper) to buy a new one. Prices are well under $200 for this type.

Thanks again, really appreciate your response.

Ron
www.ronpeters.net

Sounds like it might be just as cheap (or cheaper) to buy a new one. Prices are well under $200 for this type.

I think that's the way the laptop (whole PC?) industry is going. Near future (10 - 15 years?) buyers will not be buying laptop computers - but portable communication panels. They will base their purchase decision on the size of the portable display they need - which of course, will be determined by how thick the display is once folded and stuffed in a shirt pocket or purse. . The "computer" will be "tossed in (inserted in the microsocket) for your convenience" as part of the deal. Kinda like "batteries included!"

Thanks, Bill. Interesting thoughts. I go back to my first computer being an Atari using DOS and a tape recorder for storage. Finally bought a a single-sided floppy holding about 90K. Thought I was in heaven.

Notice you are AF retired. Spent 6 years there but decided that life as a ditty bopper wasn't all that exciting.

Thanks again for your help. It's great having a resouce such as DAL available. Best of luck,

Ron

Yeah, been retired for awhile now, it was good for me. Pay was lousy but I took advantage of the benefits and got edgamacated and a degree - that and my secure computing experiences in the AF - definitely, without a doubt, scored me a great job when I retired.

Yeah, D-A-L's been around awhile but I only discovered it a year ago - liked what I saw, and stuck around. I hope keep us in mind and tell your friends and coworkers.

I will definitely tell my friends about DAL. No coworkers since I'm retired. Computers are still a hobby, but I'm spending my time writing novels and loving it.

Thanks again, best of luck.

Ron