I have a hp windows me xg823 with a hp pavilion v50 monitor. My monitor acts like a bad picture tube in a TV would act when I boot the computer up. the picture gets dark, although you can still see what's on the screen & then it gets light like it should. It constantly will flash back & forth like that. When I leave my computer on for about an hour or so, sometimes I am lucky & it will all stop together. Until someone comes along & bumps it or stomps on the floor, then it's back acting like it has a loose picture tube in it again. Do I need a new monitor? Or can I salvage this one? Any suggestions? & since this computer is about 4 or so years old, it was one of the first windows me on the market I believe...would there be a compatability problem with using the new monitors out on the market?

ForeverYoung42, sounds like some sort of loose connection to me. If it's in the monitor itself, may be more expensive to fix than it's worth. Might be just a cable not making a good contact(internal break?).Can you substitute another monitor (compatibility shouldn't be an issue IMHO) to see if that helps? If that solves the problem, replacement seems in order. If not, cable, card? HTH. Ed in Texas. HTH.

Thank You very much Ed for your quick responce. I did check all the out side cables into the computer, ect. before I posted. I'm posititve it's the monitor. Basilly this started after I moved my computer out of my kitchen into a room we call the computer room now. I figured something came loose inside the monitor when I moved it. I don't have a substitute monitor to use so I hope buying another monitor works. I did see some monitors a little over $100. at a local department store, which made me wonder about the compatability. Thanks once again!

Compatibility should not be a problem. Most are plug and play now days. Some do need a monitor INF file to work the best that they can. These usually come with the monitor or can be downloaded from a web site, if they are needed at all. Three to four years is about the normal life expectancy of older monitors. Newer ones last longer, depending on the price. Shop around and be sure to see what the display looks like connected to a computer. Some of the "sell" monitors without one on display are not that good of quality display. Places like SAMS Club, Costco, BJ's are good places to look. As are Office Depot and Staples.