Acer Monitor displays logo, but won't show anything else

branleya

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Sep 11, 2014
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I bought an Acer G235H monitor used a few weeks ago. A few days ago, it just stopped working all together. I was using it as a second monitor, along with my MacBook Pro. I'm using a VGA cable and Displayport/VGA adapter. When I press the power button on the monitor, it will turn on and show the Acer logo for a few seconds. Then it just goes black. My computer is registering the monitor. I can click on links open on the other screen, and it'll work. I can drag windows over to the other screen. I just cannot get anything to actually show up on the screen, other than just the Acer logo.

I just replaced the cable today, so I know it's not that. Any other possible ideas? I feel like the screen itself isn't broken, because otherwise it just wouldn't show anything... but I have no idea what is happening.
 

permanoob

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Sep 22, 2011
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It's likely an issue with one of the CCFL lamps. What happens is if one isn't working the monitor will power on, the power board will detect a failure in one of the lamps and shut the lamps and LCD down. Video board is still working though.

About two weeks ago I had an Acer x223w monitor that wouldn't come on at all, found it had a bum capacitor on the power board. Replaced it, and then I was getting the issue you describe. Some r\esearch showed it was a failure on a CCFL lamp. My problem was a lot easier though. One of my lamps happened to get disconnected with reassmbling the monitor so I just plugged it back in and it worked. Yours, however, sounds like it failed. I'd suggest poking around YouTube for some videos on testing your lamps if you're comfortable opening up the monitor.

It's not tough at all, just be careful touching parts of the power board when you have it all apart though, plugged in or not.
 

branleya

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Sep 11, 2014
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Doing some poking it around, it looks like I don't have any tools or knowledge to try it... I really know nothing about how this shit works. Is a CCFL lamp something that can be replaced or is my monitor just show?
 

permanoob

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Sep 22, 2011
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CCFL can be replaced with some work but you're really tearing the monitor down to do it. I've just BARELY got into LCD monitor repair and would be ok'ish doing it. But outside of that I'm very mechanically and technically inclined, so that might have something to do with my willingness to dive in. Might be a fun project. If you're looking at the possibility of replacing the monitor as a whole anyway, why not spend $15~ for some new lamps and give it a shot?

Honestly the only tools you should need are a philips head screwdriver. I can't imagine you'd need much more than that.