Monitor question: my monitor, which is unfortunately just slightly out of warranty, appears to have given up the ghost on me. I first had trouble with it one evening last week, when it suddenly shut off and wouldn't turn back on; I fooled around with the connections for a while, and it seemed that when I unplugged and then replugged the cord leading from the monitor to the little transformer box--I have no idea if that's what it actually is, but it's the box between the monitor and the outlet--anyway, it seemed that fooling with that brought it back. So I figured I'd just knocked the plug loose somehow. But it cut out again last night, and is refusing to come back on.

The question is this: Is there any hope that this is a problem that could be repaired at some reasonable cost? Or do I need to give up and buy a new monitor?

The question is this: Is there any hope that this is a problem that could be repaired at some reasonable cost? Or do I need to give up and buy a new monitor?

You'll probably find that it's cheaper just to buy a new monitor. They're basically disposable items at this point.

About 8 years ago, I was quoted $90 to just look at a monitor. And recently my boss called around to repair shops for hours trying to find someone to fix a 21" CRT monitor - no one wanted to work on it.

I was afraid of that. Sigh.

Anyone have any brilliant suggestions for monitors that won't crap out on me after just over a year? I don't need it to be all that big or flashy; this one was a 15-inch flatscreen, and it made me perfectly happy.

I love my flatscreen! I wish I had one at work...

Anyone have any brilliant suggestions for monitors that won't crap out on me after just over a year?

I've only had experience with ViewSonic and Apple - both have been very good to me....

Katie, I got my samsung flatscreen at CompUSA. They had a good rebate deal and the salesperson steered me away from the crap ones and explained why. They're having back-to-school sales right now. you might want to check them out.

Thanks. No CompUSA around here, alas, but I suppose I could always make the overly-attentive salespeople at Best Buy thrilled by saying something to them other than a not-quite-snarled No Thank You.

Well, at least an equivalent monitor should be cheaper this year than last, right?

It's too bad you're on the other side of the country. Because I would be THRILLED to give you mine. I've had it for four years and it's in great condition. I think it's a Samsung.

This is what happens when you don't choose your residence well! Thanks for thinking of me, though. You know, I have a vague memory that the CRT I replaced with my current monitor may have been a Samsung as well, and that thing never gave me a day of trouble. Have to keep that in mind.