Hi there. I know I've been quite quiet this past while, but I just had to jump in to this thread. I found the following quote and link after doing a quick Google search. The quote is from another forum that asked the same question: "The official word on LCD cleaning in Apple manuals is to use a solution of diluted isopropyl alcohol, no more than a 50% solution. Usually the rubbing alcohol you buy at a drugstore that is either 90% or 98% pure but 98% is pretty hard to get (you don't need it anyway). I mix 1 part water and 1 part 90% isopropyl alcohol, which works out to... um.. something just under a 50% solution. Be absolutely sure to use a very VERY soft cloth. I use a piece of soft flannel. Do NOT use paper towels or anything more abrasive than an old worn out cotton Tshirt. Absolutely do NOT use windex or anything with ammonia in it, it can etch the screen surface and can cause the plastic to go cloudy. You don't want that to happen! BTW, there is a commercial cleaning solution called something like Klear-Screen, it's pretty expensive. It is merely a 50% solution of isopropyl alcohol and water. Just like I make, for a fraction of the cost." Here's the link. http://jeremy.zawodny.com/blog/archives/000666.html The link below seems to have some good info, too. I've been avoiding cleaning my monitor for the same reason--not knowing what to use. Thanks for starting this thread, Sharon. Here is a link that might be useful: How do I clean my flat-screen monitor?

What kind of work did the computer shop do for you? By accident, because of my lack of knowledge, I did a Destructive Recovery when I was stuck on a black screen with white lettering I couldn't get out of. It brought me back to day one with problems that were fixed via Gateway phone support which is no longer. One being not able to do windows updates and a shut down time problem. They were supposed to see if they could fix that and do all updates for windows and the drivers. The computer (Win XPPRO) was brought in to find the cause of a sound that just started happening like a whirring speed up then down then steady starting after the computer is on for 7 minutes. They said the heat sync fan/fans are OK and unplugged my floppy drive thinking it was that when the floppy had been known to make a short noise when I first used it when I bought the computer back in 2004 but hadn't since. A noise like it may have been trying to read? That was not the noise I meant. Also is it possible the tech installed a new video card and disabled the onboard video in the BIOS? In this case you should see a different video connection lower down the rear of the tower which you would need to connect to. Is that the socket I plug my monitor into as I noticed I could not push it in all the way to hide the silver part I thought did before? Then screw each side tight. Is that it? If so, I bet they did but WHY? Before I brought it in, everything worked fine except because of the Recovery two problems came back that had been corrected by Gateway I wanted fixed again and I was concerned about a noise that recently appeared, me thinking it was my HD or the sync fan.

* Product Description: Acer B193 Bbdmh, LCD display, TFT, 19" * Device Type: LCD display / TFT active matrix * Color: Black * Built-in Devices: Stereo speakers * Diagonal Size: 19" * Max Resolution: 1280 x 1024 / 75 Hz * Display Positions Adjustments: Height, swivel, tilt * Color Support: 24-bit (16.7 million colors) * Response Time: 5 ms * Image Brightness: 250 cd/m2 * Image Contrast Ratio: 10000:1 (dynamic) * Digital Video Standard: Digital Visual Interface (DVI) * Audio Output: Speaker(s), stereo, integrated * Signal Input: DVI, VGA * Compliant Standards: TCO '03, MPR II, TCO '99 * Environmental Standards: EPA Energy Star * Manufacturer Warranty: 3 years warranty those are the specs for that monitor, I agree Acer makes a very good LCD. that one does have both inputs and has nice specs. That one does have the built in speakers, mine does not but I use stand alone speakers anyway. In the 19" monitors yes you can still find the non widescreen models but I have not seen any in the larger size monitors which are non widescreen. If you have not set up and used a buy.com account before there are some codes available that will save you some money on that purchase for first time buyer. I use buy.com quite often. first time Buy.com customers only don't worry about expiration dates they are always available just google buy.com promo codes and you can find them.

How old is the PC? I guess it's possible there's a problem with the signal (or lack of signal) being output through the video connection for the monitor, but if the tech thought everything was okay while using a different monitor, that suggests the problem is your monitor. Borrow one from a friend or family member, or buy a new one from a store that doesn't charge a return or restocking fee, and see what happens. If a new monitor resolves the problem, contact the tech and ask for a refund.