You need to pop the LCD open and begin looking at the circuit boards inside. You need to look for any damaged components, heat discoloration, etc.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds like you're maybe not very comfortable with repairing electronics. LCDs are generally pretty simple, but I suggest looking for someplace local that you can get someone to show you the ropes.

gdjacobs wrote:

You need to pop the LCD open and begin looking at the circuit boards inside. You need to look for any damaged components, heat discoloration, etc.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds like you're maybe not very comfortable with repairing electronics. LCDs are generally pretty simple, but I suggest looking for someplace local that you can get someone to show you the ropes.

I can work with a soldering iron and am familiar with replacing capacitors, but that is the limit of experience I have when working with display electronics. All other experience is with computer hardware and vehicle electronics, nothing to do with, for example, anything that might have gone bad on the power inverter board. I'm willing to learn, but I'd be fine with taking it somewhere local if there is a health risk, as I'm not at all comfortable with properly discharging anything that holds a residual charge after unplugging. I know LCDs are nothing like CRTs in terms of holding a charge, but I understand some still can.

Could be bad capacitors soldered to the PCB inside the LCD. Look for bulging or leaking capacitors.

murrayman wrote:

I can work with a soldering iron and am familiar with replacing capacitors, but that is the limit of experience I have when working with display electronics. All other experience is with computer hardware and vehicle electronics, nothing to do with, for example, anything that might have gone bad on the power inverter board. I'm willing to learn, but I'd be fine with taking it somewhere local if there is a health risk, as I'm not at all comfortable with properly discharging anything that holds a residual charge after unplugging. I know LCDs are nothing like CRTs in terms of holding a charge, but I understand some still can.

Well, that's a good basis. The CCFL inverter does generate some high voltage, but it's certainly not as dangerous as a CRT when powered down, or even the HV supply of a plasma display. Discharging is generally as simple as using a probe, ground lead, and inline resistor to properly bleed your power rails.

If you're uncomfortable with operating on household level voltages, begin doing some research to familiarize yourself with appropriate risk factors and perhaps find a technician, HAM operator, or experienced hobbyist you can consult with. I doubt it will take you long to develop the correct understanding to operate on kV range electronics (low current) safely.

I'm not familiar with that particular monitor, but what you describe does sound like a bad cap that is gassing out most likely from the internal power supply board (If one is present unless this uses a power brick)

Remove the back. Stand away from unit while looking at the circuit boards and apply power. Look for smoke. Thats a quick way to look for the issue.

Gonna be the inverter or power supply likely.

It's an internal power supply, so that or a cap will likely be it. I'll follow the recommendation to take it apart and power it up to watch for smoke, then go from there. Thanks all!

Get a good flashlight to shine at it to help see the smoke easier as well.