I don`t think my computer`s feeling too good! Just got back and was sitting having a quick look at the weekend postings, when a quiet sort of `pop` from the computer, and the colour on the screen changed. It was a quite bright screen, and then it all went very pale and wishy-washy looking. I`m very worried!!! {:o{

-- Anonymous, May 14, 2000

Answers

Sounds like Cyberplank has struck again!
I should talk after doing something really dumb and putting myself off line for three days this week.

-- Anonymous, May 14, 2000

Roz, it sounds like it need de- magnatising, Hold down your  key for 10 seconds. That generally works for me.

-- Anonymous, May 14, 2000

Has anybody said "I love you" recently?

-- Anonymous, May 14, 2000

Jonno - Has anybody said `I love you` recently? - Do you mean to the computer, as in talking to plants? `Cos I do that all the time! (:o)

Rik - Hmm? De-magnatising? Is that a real condition? Or one of you `clockwork` comments! (;o)

Clarky, I think I`ve got to the root of the problem. Either it was just missing me, like the dogs who Yelli said wouldn`t eat all weekend! Or it was just a 24 hour bug, `cos this morning it is bright as a button! (:o) Phew! What a relief!

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2000

If it's fixed this morning after you turned it off last night? then it probably did just need degauzing....that's what you'll have done by turning it off :))

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2000

Mornin` Gav! Degauzing? Oh heck, another term I`ve not heard of! What is it, why does it happen, who`s fault is it, and why has it never happened before?! (:o)

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2000

Galaxy,

It's exactly the same as when you get static build up on your tv....there should be a button(or option) on your monitor which allows you to 'degauze' and remove the static build up....

:))

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2000

Well, I hope there is, `cos it`s just done it again!

Thanks Gav - I had better read my manual! (:o)

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2000

If it's not something simple like that then it could be a problem with the tube which would be more serious :((

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2000

Oh no! Not a good start to the week! I shall switch it off again for a while, and see if it corrects itself again! (:o(

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2000

Right - I`ve switched it back on now - so far it`s OK! I`ll see how it goes. (:o)

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2000

Did you find the degauze button?

Hope it's ok for ya....

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2000

Galaxy,

Sounds like the monitor power supply might be going on the blink. It'll be a new monitor if it is the power supply, it isn't usually worth trying to fix them.

I wouldn't have thought you'd have to keep degaussing, signs that there's static on the screen aren't that obvious - there'll be greeny blues in the corners if the screen colour is blue, and, as Gav says, it automatically degausses every time you switch on.

Sorry to be such a Job's comforter - but forewarned is forearmed, so they say. So start saving your pennies just in case. Not much consolation, knowing in advance but, is it ?

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2000

Gav - it`s still running OK. Did I find the degauzing button - nope! Didn`t find anything remotely like one! Doh!!!

Pit Bill - not noticed any blue/green type changes - more a general dulling down of the colour. I`m hoping you are wrong, but if you are correct, I hope it becomes obvious sooner rather than later, `cos the computer is only about six months old.

I shall leave it for the time being and see what happens! (:o)

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2000

Galaxy,

As a fellow 'cyberplank', don't you feel that "rebooting" is just the most fantastic invention ever? It cures so many ills.
Just imagine the scope of medical advance if you could only do that with your body. Feeling cr@p? - then "reboot", you'll wake up feeling just great again!

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2000

Galaxy,
I wouldn't wait. If it's still under warranty, I'd get it sorted asap.

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2000

Galaxy, I have a similar problem on my old monitor. Mine loses the "red gun" so much of the picture is wishy-washy. In my case, it's a loose connection somewhere and a good dose of "Birmingham screwdriver" usually works.

Is the popping noise you heard similar to that when you switch off and back on? If so, that could be a power supply problem.

If it continues, best to seek professional advice!!

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2000

What a wonderful bunch of people you are! I could spend a fortune speaking to someone on a helpline, end up feeling totally confused and inadequate because I didn`t understant a word of what they were saying! So much easier to `phone a friend`! I don`t mind admitting to you lot that I get out of my depth pretty quickly on the technical side of things, but I really object to being made to sound like a plum to some snotty nosed 16 yearold computer genius!

Anyway, having said all of that - computer has been on all day today now, no further problems. (touch wood)! I wondered whether the fact that it was extremely hot in the room where the computer is could have caused a problem - I mean REALLY hot - usually I open the windows and draw the blinds in there to keep it to a comfortable temperature.

I will keep a very close eye on it though, `cos it is a serious fault which will return, I need to get it sorted pretty soon.

Clarky human rebooting? Great idea! Every six hours should just about do it for me!(:o)

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2000

Overheating monitors should switch themselves off...well I had one that kept on doing that because the thermostat was obviously set wrong. Took me ages to convince the help desk to send me a new one (problem happened as soon as I bought it, so under warranty). Initially I just patiently went through all the routines that they asked, re-loading drivers and software, fiddling with settings, calming telling them it wouldn't make any difference (apart from f*cking up everything else).

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2000