Monitor went dark while surfing, how can check video card and monitor

here's what i have done so far

[SlimKim]

Yes, i was surfing yesterday and monitor goes dark
computer is cyberpowerpc x infinity with viewsonic 19" flat screen

i reboot and nothing

i check cables for loose connection

i start up my 8 year old machine, an old IBM Aptiva - it's slow but never fails nor has never had a ounce of trouble

i then take the failing monitor and hook it to the old machine and it won't work, but then my monitor from my old machine won't work at the newer computer either

could have monitor and video card gone bad at the same time?

i didn't check the video cable, guess i need to switch out cables

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how can it test video card, what should i try

many thanks
slimkim

[kaled]

In theory, a fault in one could cause a fault in the other, but is is very unlikely.

When you say the monitor went "dark" do you mean it became dim or it went completely blank? If it merely went dim, have you tried adjusting the backlight setting?

When you disconnect it, does the monitor display a message along the lines of "NO SYNC"?

In general, graphics cards are more reliable than monitors, but the only way to positively diagnose the cause of the fault may be to swap components as you have already mentioned. Bear in mind, old monitors may not work on new computers - it depends on the resolution and refresh rate settings on the new computer.

Kaled.

[sonjay]

I just a couple of months ago had a Viewsonic 19" flat screen go bad -- same symptom as you, it would just go black while I was working.

I have 2 identical Viewsonics, so I switched out the power supply cable, the video port, etc. It became clear, one monitor was bad, regardless of what it was plugged into. I called Viewsonic, they had me return it (it was just barely still in warranty), and after about 4 weeks they determined that it was unfixable and they sent a replacement.

If yours is still under warranty, get on the phone to Viewsonic. If not, well, you may find yourself in the market for a new monitor. Or maybe you'll be lucky and have a different problem than I had, and it won't be a total loss.