I have a samsung syncmaster t240 monitor. Boots up normally but the desktop appears for a brief time (1 second) then goes black. I used the torch technique and saw the desktop icons. When I switch the monitor off and on the screen appears again for a second before again going black...any ideas as to what might be happening? No one has yet mentioned that they're screen works for a split second before going black.....HELP!

try check the cables and connection

Is this a laptop?
This a common problem for monitors, especially on laptops. This cause by the inverter board. The inverter boosts voltage to light the screen. When goes bad they go bad they often work for a few seconds. If you look closely you can see the screen but the voltage is not there to get brightness.

See my tip here: http://www.fixya.com/support/r6836567-lcd_monitor_displays_background_fine

try reducing the refresh rate of the screen. I Hope the Driver for the moinotor is installed !!

But if it is intermittant..
Then Monitor may be going through normal ageing.


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lcjj, Is unit black and blank screen? or just black screen? do flashlight test after pc boots-up. Can you see images and icons on desktop screen with aid of flashlight?? How old is the unit? Is unit out of warranty? Have you been to YOUTUBE to check-out DIY video clips on troubleshooting and the low cost DIY repairs being done to CCFL back-lit lcd monitors? Your monitor's problem not new one!! Try some of these web sites: www.ccl-la.com/badcaps.htm and www.lcdrepair.us/files/dell_1800fp_power_supply_installation_instructions.pdf and www.badcaps.net and www.lcdparts.net and www.ccfldirect.com and after you finish with that you can start reading the fixya PROFILES of "buddymc" , "budmrtn" , "12fixlouie" In short... you will do one of these four things. 1. DIY refurbishment. 2. Contract out refurbishment work. 3. Trade in unit for new. 4. Do a cash+old swap out with Samsung if they are doing a "just out of warranty" swap for "premature failed" units. Do your test and research first. Then make decision on what to do. Good luck. 12fixlouie

r_mackie923, If screen display was crisp and bright 1 to 2 weeks ago, you should only need to replace the inverter board or troubleshoot down to component level to restore it to normal use. Just follow links you find in the fixya profiles of "budmrtn", "buddymc" and "louie12fix" and other LCD cold-cathode-fluorescent-lamp monitor technicians here on fixya to determine if you will DIY or contract out the work!! Also view some DIY video clips at YOUTUBE to help with your decision. 12fixlouie

Most common failure in the LCD monitors are bad capacitors (bulging top/seal or leaking) in the power supply, failed inverter circuits (blown fuse, shorted transistors, shorted/open transformers), bad lamps (poor solder connections or worn out lamps). You will need to open it up and inspect the inside, see example of failed SAMSUNG monitors to get some ideas what to look for: http://s807.photobucket.com/home/budm/allalbums
Post back what you see inside so we can guide you further and it will help out other people in the future also.
http://www.badcaps.net
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor_plague

Hi, its unlikely to be the cable. Most likely cause of this is a faulty inverter board. If you are lucky it will only be 1 or 2 blown capacitors which are easily identifiable and replaceable once you have got inside it. it could however, be almost any of the components on the inverter board or even a failed backlight but this will require further testing and a knowledge of LCD monitor workings.

Once you have stripes or lines in the screen then the only solution is to get the screen replaced but that would cost just as much or even more then getting a whole new monitor.