Computers are useless without a monitor. You can't surf the Net or see what you typed on the keyboard. It's a good thing that computer monitors are virtually trouble free. Besides checking to see if it's plugged in and making a few adjustments there's little you can do to fix it without specialized help. Even so, let's take a look at how they work and how to tackle something you can fix, the monitor fuse.

How Does It Work?

Components of a typical computer monitor.

A computer monitor, sister to the television monitor, displays information from a computer on a screen. The monitor uses digital values sent by a computer processor to create a stream of electrons that light up phosphors on the inside of the screen. The signals are in each of the three primary colors, combined into various color signals that seem to move across the screen. Portable computers use a screen made up of liquid crystal display (LCD) cells instead of phosphors. Computer monitors receive their signal from a monitor cable from the computer and their power from a separate electrical cord.

What Can Go Wrong?

Computer monitor problems are not always problems with the monitor. Testing of the monitor must be done with the computer . The monitor may not come on. The image on the screen may not be clear and bright.