Screen Comes on then Goes Blank

[duck]

This Acer monitor I have comes on, but after a few seconds of being on it goes blank. Every now and again you can still see the desktop very very lightly behind the dark screen. We've switched cables and CPU's and the problem remains. Any ideas?

[Maximiliam]

Have you tried a different monitor? Attach your computer to a different monitor. If the problem goes away, then I am afraid your monitor is broken in some way.

Let us know, and we can go from there.

[ronallandottk]

If your monitor is an LCD type, I would surmise that the backlight has finally died. That would explain why you can still faintly see the desktop on the dark screen. I'm not sure, but I think it can be replaced either by an Acer service center or some other repair center specializing in LCDs.

If it's a CRT type, I would guess that the picture tube has finally given out. If that's the case, at least now you have an excuse to move up to an LCD monitor.