Help! Why does my computer monitor screen sometimes flash a wave of light?

Question

This computer is fairly new. We got it last February. It is a Hewlet Packard (HP) and the monitor is a HP mx705 flat screen. Within the past month, the screen keeps having these quick blips that worry me that something is wrong. About every 10 minutes or so, (it is random), a line of white light will flash and move in a wave from the bottom of the screen to the middle of the screen. And the bottom half of the screen will then be black for a milisecond. This all happens super fast and comes along with a quick static sound. YIKES! What could this be and what do I need to do to fix it (is it something that needs to be fixed or will it go away????) I know NOTHING about computers!

Answer 1

If it is not a loose power cord on monitor, or video cable between the 2, then next most likely thing it is called an environmental problem and we will check them next.

1. Check power cord on monitor - be sure it is firmly pushed all the way into the flat screen case.

2. Check video cable on monitor from monitor to cable and cable to computer. Though uncommon - you can unplug the cable from the computer - look at the plug inside is a bunch of fine pins, almost like small needles, be sure none of them a bent or broken. Some models have areas in the plug that do not have pins, that is ok and normal. If all looks good put it back on the computer good and flush.

4. A cell phone, wireless phone to close to the monitor will cause what you described. - keep the phone / stand a little further from the computer monitor.

5. Electrical - you could have a reversed ground, or loose ground on the electrical outlet. You can first try to use a different outlet in the house from a 3 prong extension cord for testing to see if it make a difference. You can also go to a hardware store and buy a $5 electrical outlet tester - it looks like a small 2 inch plug with lights on the end, that will help determine bad wiring. * Electrician needs to fix the wiring problem, it is dangerous.. but not a real notice until you plug something sensitive like a computer in that spot.

6. Electrical - you need to be sure all power cables go into a surge protector or nice UPS system, and that all of it are using 3 prong electrical plugs, not any 2 prong. The 3rd part of the electrical plug is necessary for computers, and nicer sound systems.

7. Another common problem is - cell phones, a/c units, portable heaters, heavy duty older frigs, or wireless phones being plugged into the same circuit on the electrical as the computer. - having a good UPS with line conditioning will usually fix some of these from interfering. * Any APC Pro or Smart series UPS would work. The UPS needs to say it has AVR or active voltage regulation, otherwise it is not worth buying!

8. Plug the monitor in by itself at a new location, if the monitor makes cracking sounds, and you smell a faint sweet smell from it. The the monitor has a short and needs to be replaced.

*** Keep in mind though, having bad wiring may have caused it to short out to begin with, and you still need to do the other checks, before replacing the current monitor, or you will just be back where you started in a few days... Plus if it is being caused by number (5) you need to move the electrical to another outlet on all the computer or they too will begin to go bad as well.

Answer 2

if its still under warranty call hp..if not your monitor might be going and you end up having to get another one or seeing how much it will cost you to get this one fixed.