Monitor Seems To Refresh At A Certain Time, Everyday

[Omega1]

This really isn't a problem, but I'm more wondering why it happens.

Every night, anywhere from 11:10pm and 11:13pm my monitor or computer seems to refresh. I'm thinking it's my monitor because the screen turns black for about 2 - 3 seconds then comes back on. I can leave the computer on all day, but it will only happen between the times I mentioned.

It doesn't do it if I'm doing something, only when the computer is sitting idle.

My system is multi boot (WinXP Pro/Win7 Ultimate/Win8(.1)) and it does it in all 3 operating systems.

All drivers and software is updated and all Windows updates are done.

I'm curious, anyone know why this is happening?

 

[Omega1]

Also, I've checked everything I can think of to see if there is something set to run between these times, and can find nothing.

 

[andrew129260]

That is strange. I don't have a clue as to why that is happening. If you plug something else into the exact outlet port the monitor is plugged in, does it do it to other devices? Off and on at that time?

 

[Ranger4]

Just a thought. Do you have Windows set to Automatically Install updates at that time?.

 

[Britton30]

Very strange behavior. Will it "refresh" at the same time if you leave the monitor off all day?

 

[pominator]

If it's an external monitor, you may try to do a reset on the osd (with the menu/setup on the monitor itself). You may also try with another monitor (connect an external one if it's a laptop). You may also try another power outlet, maybe the outlet on your surge protector is failing and reset at this time for any reason. You could also boot from ubuntu live cd to see if it does the same to completly exclude software/windows bug.

 

[bigmck]

Go into your Control Panel under Power Options and see when your monitor is set to turn off? I have mine set for 20 minutes.

 

[Omega1]

Just a thought. Do you have Windows set to Automatically Install updates at that time?.

No, updates are set to automatically download and install every morning at 3:00am.

Very strange behavior. Will it "refresh" at the same time if you leave the monitor off all day?

Yes, I can leave the computer and monitor or just the monitor off all day, then turn it on at 11:00pm and it will still do it.
But if I leave it off until after 11:14pm, it does not do it at all.

If it's an external monitor, you may try to do a reset on the osd (with the menu/setup on the monitor itself). You may also try with another monitor (connect an external one if it's a laptop). You may also try another power outlet, maybe the outlet on your surge protector is failing and reset at this time for any reason. You could also boot from ubuntu live cd to see if it does the same to completly exclude software/windows bug.

I've checked the settings for the monitor (it's a Acer P244w) and there's nothing there that would have it refresh at those times or any other time.

I've also tried different monitors, but it still does it.

I've also thought of the surge protector, but I don't think that's it because if the surge protector was failing and was causing the monitor to refresh it would cause the computer itself to reset, which isn't happening. I did move the monitor plug to another outlet on the surge protector, but it still happens.

I did try your idea of booting from Ubuntu live cd lastnight and had the same results.

Go into your Control Panel under Power Options and see when your monitor is set to turn off? I have mine set for 20 minutes.

My power options are set for never.

 

[andrew129260]

Replace the cable going from the monitor to the pc, since you stated you tried another monitor and a linux live cd and it still does it.

 

[bigmck]

Go into your Control Panel under Power Options and see when your monitor is set to turn off? I have mine set for 20 minutes.

My power options are set for never.

So you leave your monitor on all the time. The screen never goes blank? You should let it go blank after a few minutes. There is no need to leave it on all the time.

 

[Wandering one]

How about changing time by resetting one time zone. Next try physically undoing internet connect at zero minus 30 just to see if perhaps a real nasty from outside. Next disable all unneeded startups in msconfig. If still no change it would pretty well have to be a "call home program" which would need much more experience than I. Perhaps wear a tinfoil hat when working
Art.

 

[Omega1]

Replace the cable going from the monitor to the pc, since you stated you tried another monitor and a linux live cd and it still does it.

When I've tried another monitor, that included the cable. I used the same cable that was connected to the other monitor.

When it comes to the other monitor I tried, I should mention that it too was a Acer P244w (both are the same age) and both computers are identical EXCEPT that this one is multi-boot and the other is not.

 

[Britton30]

Did the other monitor do the same thing?

 

[andrew129260]

Did the other monitor do the same thing?

Yes it did, he said so.

Unfortunately, I have no idea what is going on.

It happens in a ubuntu live cd, so its not a OS setting, its not a cable issue because you tried 2 different cables, and its not a monitor issue as another monitor does it as well.

Bios setting? But I don't know of any bios setting that would do that.


Maybe its the electrical outlet the monitor is plugged into? But seeing how it happens at a random time it is odd.

When the monitor goes out, does it lose power? Is the power button LED out? Or is it still on?

 

[Britton30]

The odd, very odd, part is it goes blank at the same time and length of time each day. The only thing I can think of is gremlins.

 

[Omega1]

I'm going to go through my Bios settings again, maybe I missed something.

It's not a huge problem, because it isn't affecting anything other than my screen turning black for a few seconds.

 

[Omega1]

Maybe its the electrical outlet the monitor is plugged into? But seeing how it happens at a random time it is odd.

When the monitor goes out, does it lose power? Is the power button LED out? Or is it still on?

I've tried different outlets and there is no power loss. The computer itself does not shut down, it stays running, it's just the monitor. The light on the monitor even stays on.

On this monitor, if the there is no video, the power light changes to Yellow. When there is video, the power light is Blue.

When the screen goes black for a few seconds, the power light stays Blue.

I just tried my video card in another computer (I left that computer on for 2 days) and it checked out fine.

 

[Britton30]

Do all monitors plugged into the same outlet shut down at the same time too?

 

[Omega1]

Do all monitors plugged into the same outlet shut down at the same time too?

The monitor does not shut down completely, the screen just turns black for a few seconds, then comes back. It's like it is refreshing the screen.

There is only 1 monitor that does it, the other monitor will stay on.

 

[Britton30]

Do all monitors plugged into the same outlet shut down at the same time too?

The monitor does not shut down completely, the screen just turns black for a few seconds, then comes back. It's like it is refreshing the screen.

There is only 1 monitor that does it, the other monitor will stay on.

Sorry if you've tried this obverse situation. Does the monitor that goes black do it when plugged into a different outlet, preferably on a different house circuit?