Expert: Chris Morrison - 7/24/2008

Question
I got my monitor back in 2001 i believe, it's worked well with no problems... til last night, i was on my mmorpg and the image kept resizing itself, like if someone was poking the buttons on the front of the monitor. It got small, and smaller, until i got scared and poked my computer off. Turned off my monitor and waited about 2 hours, and started my computer up again, turned my monitor on and it was a weird color, the screen was blank but was a pinkish tint and had rainbow down at the bottom. Ive never seen this happen before! Happened again this morning when i turned it on, but i turned it back off and on again, same thing but it cleared up with a minute, but i am afraid it's going to do the weird resizing thing again. Is it dust? Or do i just need a new monitor? Thanks.

Answer
First try cleaning -
get some canned air from an office supply store. Unplug the monitor and bow out all the vent holes.
Leave it unplugged for about 1 day to discharge.
Open the computer and use canned air to blow it out. Pay special attention to fans and the power supply.
If you have an add on video card remove it, and reinsert it making sure it is nice and snug.
After about 1 day pluf the monitor back in and boot up check the function. Enter the monitor menu and choose to reset the monitor.
If the problem keeps happening try the monitor on a different computer or laptop. If it stops, check the video card.
If it persists seek repair of the monitor or replace it.