That's right, I've been bugged (not that kind of bugged ), and am bugged about this problem.

Quote: Once upon a time, some bug, some ugly bug I didn't even care to look at, decided to land on a USB plug hooked into the back of the motherboard. Well friends, that bug got a little curious, and touched the metal piece between plastic and USB socket. Oh, he did not live to tell his friends about this. But my computer sure did have a shock! The beast went off immediately. Confused, I turn it back on, to have it turn off again. Luckily, I got the idea to check the back before trying another time. Knocked the bugger off, and all was well... for a little while.

Sorry about the long story, but this issue really bugs me (pun intended). After that incident, my monitor would faintly dim... more and more every day, until finally, it decided to not even show anything some days (some days which recently turned into every day). It won't even show the boot screen, or windows loading logo.

"The problem? Monitor! It's ok, it's been four years, about time I get an LCD." I says. But just for curiousity, I drag the monitor to another computer and see if it works, and it does.

"Maybe it's the video card... that I did not intend to replace so soon." Well, somehow it's working correctly enough to let me type this message, using a different monitor.

Video card? Monitor? Man, I'm lost. [Not really looking for someone to answer this, hell, I'd be suprised if you could, but just decided to post this in case someone gets a little bugged and wants to read a long and tragic story

I think maybe you could have damaged one or more of the mosfets when you grounded yourself...er, I mean, the bug grounded your computer.

Rob

Well, I've figured out it's the CRT that's dying. *phew*

Any recommendations on a 17" LCD? Budget range is generally in the $300 range. But here's the catch, I need something that will not only look good, but will last 5 or more years. This thread left me with the impression that Samsung SyncMasters and Dell 2001FPs are good.

Here's what I'm lookin at:
SyncMaster
ViewSonic
Edit: and possibly this ViewSonic

:bump:

anyone use any flat panel LCDs that like its performance and would possibly recommend it?
(using this ancient 15" (or smaller) crt monitor that only supports 800x600 @ 60Hz is killing my eyes, as well as slowly giving me a seizure )