Monitor Problem For the last few weeks the picture on my monitor is too large for the screen,trying to change it with the on screen buttons has no affect. Previously, if i hit the monitor in the bottom left corner, it would go back to the normal size, but now seems to be stuck on this out of proportion size, the monitor is 8 years old. Is there anything can i do, besides buying a new one?

Monitor Icon Description of icon function Power - Turns the monitor on or off.
Brightness - Using this button or wheel the user can increase and decrease the brightness on the screen.
Contrast - Using this button or wheel can increase and decrease the amount of contrast on the screen.
Horizontal Size - Allows for the picture on the screen to be stretched to the horizontal edge of the monitor.
Vertical Size - Allows the picture on the screen to be stretched to the vertical edges of the monitor.
Horizontal Position - Allows the picture to move moved horizontally, once in the center the user can then use the Horizontal size to stretch it to have an equal amount of black border on each side.
Vertical Position - Like the Horizontal Position, using this button or wheel the user can move the picture up or down to center the picture more appropriately.
Full Screen - Sets monitor to full screen.
Degauss - This button will degauss the CRT, restoring possible color impurities. After this button has been pressed the degaussing circuit will be activated and then deactivated after a few seconds. Pressing and holding this button for a few seconds may cause your computer monitor to reset all data.
Corner and Trapezoid Correction - Using this button or wheel the user can either round the edges of the picture or move the picture inward like an hour glass or outwards.
Vertical Linearity - Sets the width of the vertical lines.
Moire - Removes or reduces the Moire effect, if any.
OSD Controls - If the monitor contains OSD controls, allows for the OSD menus to be adjusted.
Power Management - Allows the user to define the power management settings through the monitor itself and not the software.
Monitor Status - Displays the current monitor settings such as refresh rate and other settings.
Language - Sets the language on the monitor.

Hi Friend, In this case what I would recommend you is to connect any external monitor to the system to check if you have the same issue with the external monitor as well or not.
If yes, then it might be the issue with the video card so, you can try updating the video drivers for the system.
If no, it means that the original monitor has some issues with itself..
Also what I would recommend is try to lessen the screen resolution instead of 1920 x 1200 to lower resolution and restart the system and check if it makes any difference..
Also update the video drivers for the system.

Hello,
The first thing to try is to hook up an external monitor to the laptop.
If the external monitor works then it is either the LCD screen or the backlight for the LCD. If not then it is probably the video card inside the laptop.
Also check the "function" (Fn) key combinations on the keyboard, you might have shut the screen off with the Fn keys accidentally.
Hope this helps.

5-22-09 Same problem last month. I had the problem a year ago for a month, then it stopped, reappearing this last month. Last week, I finally called support...I was accidentally transferred to a Dell "internal" technical support department...happily a very diligent technician spent a bit of time with me for free...for same problem, even though he confirmed I was over a year past all warranties. He confirmed this was a monitor problem (not virus, malware, etc.). He also confirmed their standard "guidance"/solution for this monitor issue (if under warrantee) is to replace the monitor (i.e. not attempt to fix it). New monitor needed. But problem again gone for last 10 days. So, when fully irritated, buy new monitor.

Have you tried connecting this monitor to another computer, even a laptop. This would tell you whether the display is bad or the video card is the culprit. I suspect the monitor's power supply is dying. Taking it to a pro for repair should cost @55.00. Buying a new monitor @ $100 - $125.

it will be better you give it to shop

right click on the desktop and look properties, click appearance and finally choose normal... just trying

I have had the same problem. I've just managed to get the monitor working again by VERY QUICKLY navigating through the monitor setup menu to the 'factory reset' option and hitting reset before the screen had a chance to blink off.

The problem I had is that the monitor suddenly goes black, but will come on for five seconds if I switch it off and on with the power button.

In that five seconds, I had to...
>Hit the menu button
>then hit the '+; button once
>then hit the menu button again
>then hit the '-' button
>then hit the menu button one last time

The above brings up the menu, scrolls up off the top of the list to the last item on the list (Factory Reset), selects Factory Reset, selects 'All settings' and resets the monitor.

I don't know if this is a permanent fix, but it just worked for me and mine has been doing this intermittently for the last week.

Give it a try, it's frustrating and will take a few tries, but it can't hurt. 

it has nothing to do with your computer, if you put the monitor on a different computer it will do the same thing. the message comes directly from the monitor itself. you have to keep your screen resolution at 1280 x 1024

I was trying to change the resolution on my monitor and accidently hit a button saying 'Extend screen.