20 Most Recent Samsung SyncMaster 731B 17" LCD Monitor Questions & Answers

Ahaa, Beth... Yours is a older and tired puppy. You already know it's only 17" so "details" are SO easy to miss... even WHEN it's working! (I will whisper to you that it MAY be your power supply failing?) (*whispers) ... eBay 232038053660 $11.99 USA seller) Soooo... since money IS a issue (for most of us)... consider this: Go to GOOGLE and search for: "Craigslist North Carolina" Find the city nearest to you and HUNT ~ and HUNT for the best used 21" (or so) monitor you can afford. OF COURSE you will INSIST that they "demo" monitor BEFORE you pass the bux. WHY invest in repairs or diagnostics for a broken monitor your TECH may not be able to get parts for?? IF it can be repaired, at what price for labor+parts and WHAT will fail again? Beth, I found a past FIXYA Link that HAS your manual WITH a "Troubleshooting" section! The other Link describes problems others have had with your same model... So there you have it! FILM at 11:00! Anthony

please check if there any language settings then change to english

Might be a case of the backlight giving up. If this is the case, you have two options, replace the backlight (expensive and pretty difficult to do a good job of) or replace the whole thing. I'd go with the second option, as LCD monitors are pretty cheap at the moment! Stick with Samsung SyncMasters though, they do good price monitors that are reasonably reliable too. Either that or a Dell monitor.

Thanks
Moza805

Well, I have few questions. What if you unplug the monitor from the computer and turn it On? Have you tried the monitor on another system? Have you tried with another monitor on the System?
Things you can try: 1. Reseat the Ram/s and make sure they are properly/securely seated.
2. If you have video card installed on your computer, reseat the video card.
3. Reset the Bios, you can do this by removing the system battery on the motherboard or enter the Bios settings and restore it to "Default.."
Please post back with more details if nothing seems helpful.
Good Luck.

You need to try this monitor with another PC and also check all the cables and the connection first.
Most SAMSUNG monitors has three years warranty.
Otherwise it may have basd caps problem; http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy352/budm/Samsung%20730B/

If you are going to DIY and already try the monitor with another PC, and have proper tools and know safety precaution then please read on: Most common failures in the LCD monitors are bad capacitors (bulging top/seal or leaking) in the power supply (they should be replaced in a set), blown fuses; poor solder joints, failed inverter circuits (blown fuse, shorted transistors, shorted/open transformers), bad lamps (poor solder connections or worn out lamps). You will need to open it up and inspect the inside, see example of failed SAMSUNG monitors to get some ideas what to look for: http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy352/budm/ Post back what you see inside so we can guide you further and it will help out other people in the future also.

Basic LCD monitor and TV troubleshooting guide: http://www.fixya.com/support/r6150077-basic_lcd_monitors_troubleshooting http://www.fixya.com/support/r5093881-lcd_flat_panel_tv_troubleshooting_guide http://www.fixya.com/support/r7406380-tv_training_manuals Failed TV and Monitors pictures: http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy352/budm/

Learn about bad caps: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor_plague

Capacitors kit: http://lcdalternatives.auctivacommerce.com/ he can make you a set of caps for you.

Or www.digikey.com just make sure to use caps with low ESR, 105c, high ripple current, long life rating such as PANASONIC FM or FC series.

Try removing signal cable and refitting at both ends.
Signal cable also could be faulty.
Samir

It does the same when used with another PC?
If it is the monitor then please read here:
Most common failures in the LCD monitors are bad capacitors (bulging top/seal or leaking) in the power supply (they should be replaced in a set), blown fuses; poor solder joints, failed inverter circuits (blown fuse, shorted transistors, shorted/open transformers), bad lamps (poor solder connections or worn out lamps). You will need to open it up and inspect the inside, see example of failed SAMSUNG monitors to get some ideas what to look for: http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy352/budm/ Post back what you see inside so we can guide you further and it will help out other people in the future also.

Basic LCD monitor and TV troubleshooting guide: http://www.fixya.com/support/r6150077-basic_lcd_monitors_troubleshooting http://www.fixya.com/support/r5093881-lcd_flat_panel_tv_troubleshooting_guide http://www.fixya.com/support/r7406380-tv_training_manuals Failed TV and Monitors pictures: http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy352/budm/

Learn about bad caps: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor_plague

Capacitors kit: http://lcdalternatives.auctivacommerce.com/ he can make you a set of caps for you.

Or www.digikey.com just make sure to use caps with low ESR, 105c, high ripple current, long life rating such as PANASONIC FM or FC series.

That issue is normally caused by the backlight in the LCD. The compact florescent light in the display is burning out. They will normally light for a few seconds when first powered on, then shutoff.
Ultimately, the bulb needs to be replaced. If your into hacking electronics, you can get a replacement bulb online and DIY. Otherwise, the cost of having it repaired is usually very close if not more than a new monitor.

The problem is most likely the backlight or the power supply that feeds the backlight. The bulb will be the most common problem and will likely require replacement. For the cost of replacing the bulb, you would be better of replacing the monitor.
Just keep doing your power reset technique and use it till it dies.

It may have dying power supply due to bad caps, that will be the first place to check.
If you are going to DIY and already try the monitor with another PC, and have proper tools and know safety precaution then please read on: Most common failures in the LCD monitors are bad capacitors (bulging top/seal or leaking) in the power supply (they should be replaced in a set), blown fuses; poor solder joints, failed inverter circuits (blown fuse, shorted transistors, shorted/open transformers), bad lamps (poor solder connections or worn out lamps). You will need to open it up and inspect the inside, see example of failed SAMSUNG monitors to get some ideas what to look for: http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy352/budm/ Post back what you see inside so we can guide you further and it will help out other people in the future also.

Basic LCD monitor and TV troubleshooting guide: http://www.fixya.com/support/r6150077-basic_lcd_monitors_troubleshooting http://www.fixya.com/support/r5093881-lcd_flat_panel_tv_troubleshooting_guide http://www.fixya.com/support/r7406380-tv_training_manuals Failed TV and Monitors: http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy352/budm/

Learn about bad caps: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor_plague

Capacitors kit: http://lcdalternatives.auctivacommerce.com/ he can make you a set of caps for you.

Or www.digikey.com just make sure to use caps with low ESR, 105c, high ripple current, long life rating such as PANASONIC FM or FC series. Please leave rating if it helps.

It does the same when attached to another PC?
If you are going to DIY and already try the monitor with another PC, and have proper tools and know safety precaution then please read on: Most common failures in the LCD monitors are bad capacitors (bulging top/seal or leaking) in the power supply (they should be replaced in a set), blown fuses; poor solder joints, failed inverter circuits (blown fuse, shorted transistors, shorted/open transformers), bad lamps (poor solder connections or worn out lamps). You will need to open it up and inspect the inside, see example of failed SAMSUNG monitors to get some ideas what to look for: http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy352/budm/ Post back what you see inside so we can guide you further and it will help out other people in the future also.

Basic LCD monitor and TV troubleshooting guide: http://www.fixya.com/support/r6150077-basic_lcd_monitors_troubleshooting http://www.fixya.com/support/r5093881-lcd_flat_panel_tv_troubleshooting_guide http://www.fixya.com/support/r7406380-tv_training_manuals Failed TV and Monitors: http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy352/budm/

Learn about bad caps: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor_plague

Capacitors kit: http://lcdalternatives.auctivacommerce.com/ he can make you a set of caps for you.

Or www.digikey.com just make sure to use caps with low ESR, 105c, high ripple current, long life rating such as PANASONIC FM or FC series. Please leave rating if it helps.

What is it not doing?
Most common problem in LCD monitors are due to bad caps a syou can see in my SAMSUNG albums here:
Failed TV and Monitors: http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy352/budm/

If you are going to DIY and already try the monitor with another PC, and have proper tools and know safety precaution then please read on: Most common failures in the LCD monitors are bad capacitors (bulging top/seal or leaking) in the power supply (they should be replaced in a set), blown fuses; poor solder joints, failed inverter circuits (blown fuse, shorted transistors, shorted/open transformers), bad lamps (poor solder connections or worn out lamps). You will need to open it up and inspect the inside, see example of failed SAMSUNG monitors to get some ideas what to look for: http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy352/budm/ Post back what you see inside so we can guide you further and it will help out other people in the future also.

Basic LCD monitor and TV troubleshooting guide: http://www.fixya.com/support/r6150077-basic_lcd_monitors_troubleshooting http://www.fixya.com/support/r5093881-lcd_flat_panel_tv_troubleshooting_guide http://www.fixya.com/support/r7406380-tv_training_manuals Failed TV and Monitors: http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy352/budm/

Learn about bad caps: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor_plague

Capacitors kit: http://lcdalternatives.auctivacommerce.com/ he can make you a set of caps for you.

Or www.digikey.com just make sure to use caps with low ESR, 105c, high ripple current, long life rating such as PANASONIC FM or FC series. Please leave rating if it helps.

No, the 19" uses more power to drive the lamps, and the power supply will not be the same to interface with the logic board either.
What kind of problem you have with the 250bw?

Basic LCD monitor and TV troubleshooting guide: http://www.fixya.com/support/r6150077-basic_lcd_monitors_troubleshooting http://www.fixya.com/support/r5093881-lcd_flat_panel_tv_troubleshooting_guide http://www.fixya.com/support/r7406380-tv_training_manuals Failed TV and Monitors: http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy352/budm/

Learn about bad caps: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor_plague

Capacitors kit: http://lcdalternatives.auctivacommerce.com/ he can make you a set of caps for you.

Or www.digikey.com just make sure to use caps with low ESR, 105c, high ripple current, long life rating such as PANASONIC FM or FC series. Please leave rating if it helps.

I've had good results with the Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL) tubes from Moniserv's parts site. In particular, check out the tech support page.

It does the same on another PC/
If you are going to DIY and already try the monitor with another PC, and have proper tools and know safety precaution then please read on: Most common failures in the LCD monitors are bad capacitors (bulging top/seal or leaking) in the power supply (they should be replaced in a set), blown fuses; poor solder joints, failed inverter circuits (blown fuse, shorted transistors, shorted/open transformers), bad lamps (poor solder connections or worn out lamps). You will need to open it up and inspect the inside, see example of failed SAMSUNG monitors to get some ideas what to look for: http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy352/budm/ Post back what you see inside so we can guide you further and it will help out other people in the future also.

Basic LCD monitor and TV troubleshooting guide: http://www.fixya.com/support/r6150077-basic_lcd_monitors_troubleshooting http://www.fixya.com/support/r5093881-lcd_flat_panel_tv_troubleshooting_guide http://www.fixya.com/support/r7406380-tv_training_manuals Failed TV and Monitors: http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/yy352/budm/

Learn about bad caps: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor_plague

Capacitors kit: http://lcdalternatives.auctivacommerce.com/ he can make you a set of caps for you.

Or www.digikey.com just make sure to use caps with low ESR, 105c, high ripple current, long life rating such as PANASONIC FM or FC series. Please leave rating if it helps.

Probably the screen backlight starting to go