If computer and samsung 931b monitor have not been used in a couple of hours the screen comes off initially and then shuts back off. I've been resolving this problem by turning the screen off and on approximately a dozen or more times before it stays on. What can I do to troubleshoot this? Or, is the screen nearing the end of its life? Thanks for you help.

press the menu button until for couple of seconds and this will disable the lock!

You need to open it up and look for caps with bulging tops. Common problem with ALL brand of monitors.
http://s807.photobucket.com/home/budm/allalbums

http://www.axtsystems.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=83:samsung931bfix&catid=48:fixingstuff&Itemid=81

Please post back what you find so it will help other people also. Use good caps, PANASONIC FM or FC series from DIGIKEY.

First place to check will be the power supply section, look for caps with bulging top, post back what you see so we can guide you further, see example of failed SAMSUNG monitors due to bad caps: http://s807.photobucket.com/home/budm/allalbums

More likely to be power supply problem due to bad caps, you need to open it up and inspect the power supply section first, post back what you see so we can guide you further, see example of failed SAMSUNG monitors due to bad caps: http://s807.photobucket.com/home/budm/allalbums

This model was released in 2001, you need to open it up and look for bad caps with bulging top first, the problem can also be in the backlight inverter circuits. Post back what you see so we can guide you further, see example of failed SAMSUNG monitors due to bad caps: http://s807.photobucket.com/home/budm/allalbums

The start up problem is common and will only get worse. Call Samsung as these monitors have a 3-year warranty. No receipt? They will accept your word regarding your purchase. I have two that failed exactly the same way. I called 1-800-SAMSUNG and they gave me the choice of an exchange pair sent directly to my house (requiring a temporary credit card deposit) or by having the exchange pair sent to the UPS store where I would swap out my bad units. No receipt. They merely asked me when I purchased it so they could have it for their records. Manufacture dates such as your (March '06) and a purchase of September '06 are not far fetched at all. .

jane657, Hi there. Will you stop pushing the On/Off button on your lcd/fpd. It's Broke. Period. End. Finito!!! You will not fix it. However there is one test that you should do to determine hoe bad the problem is. You will need to reconnect the 931B to a known good pc that has been fully booted and has the WIN-DESKTOP or IE fixya web page showing. quickly connect the931B to the wall outlet and the PC. Turn on the monitor!!! Yes, I know it will only come on for a second..After the screen goes to BLACK, Shine a bright flashlight onto the screen at different angles, 1-2 inches from the screen. Let me know if you see something even though the screen is black. Anyway here are your options as a consumer/user. 1. Check if unit is under warranty. 2. Check withh Samsung to see if they have a SWAPOUT program. You send them your monitor+$40-$90 and they return a refurbished same model to you with a 30 day warranty. 3. Trade in for new monitor. 4. Check with local TV/Monitor repair guy who knows all there is to know about cold-cathode-fluorescent-tubes, their power-source(inverter type) and lcd monitor power supplys (SMPS) 5. Repair on your own. Not recommended for amatures with no solid state troubleshooting skills and no instrumentation for support. Bye for now. I'm louie12fix on fixya or lmistyrel@ aim.com

Problem solved by changing 3 capacitors (C112, C113, C316).

Replace the 470uF 25V with a good quality low ESR type and the two 820uF 25V with 1000uF 25V low ESR types.

The 1000uF caps should be 10x20 in size, however I managed to get 13x20 caps in, but it was a bit tight.

Possibly a bad inverter that turns on the fluorescent backlight or a bad bulb.

take a soft cloth (type used for cleaning glasses) and moisten it with a small amount of water on one corner.

gently wipe the wet portion of the cloth across the screen (if you have any weak alcohol based cleaners you can try it. I have used hand sanitizer before on my 931b w/out problems, I wouldn't use any extremely strong liquid cleaners though).

Use the dry part of the cloth to wipe the area dry, then move to another part of the monitor once you are satisfied.