What broke my monitor?

Ok, last night I was playing Jade Empire on the XBox360 which was hooked up to my 1440x900 TFT monitor via a VGA Switch ( a manual VGA switch, not a KVM switch ) at the highest widescreen resolution the monitor would support ( which I think was 1360x768? Something like that. ) The desktop PC was also connected to that switch, and was running at 1440x900, the TFT's native resolution.

When I switched back to the PC, there was a vertical blue line from top to bottom of the screen, quite close to the right hand side. I didn't notice it while I was playing Jade Empire, so it seemed like flicking the VGA switch might have done it. Is that possible?

The VGA switches are sold specifically for the purpose of using a monitor with both X360 and PC, but maybe TFT monitors don't like having their signals ( and resolutions ) switched externally like that? I've heard of this blue line appearing on TFT's, but it just seemed like a heck of a coincidence that it happened when I switched.

Just want to be sure that I'm not causing the problem before I go out and buy a replacement. If I am, I'll have to get a monitor which already has two VGA inputs instead of a direct replacement for the one that died.

Well, if the monitor had been performing normally prior to this then I'd suspect the switch. Normally, when a CRT dies you can visually see the thing degrading over time in various stages. For it to suddenly fail then I would suspect the switch thing.

EDIT:
Oh, it isn't CRT.

Mmm, I don't know - I've never seen a TFT/LCD fail - don't know what happens when they do fail - ignore me.

I probably should also have said that I have switched back and forth between X360 and PC using the switch lots of times since Xmas, so it is not the first time or anything. Just a really big coincidence that it happened at exactly that moment. And I tend not to believe in coincidences.

Probably there was some kind of high level voltage due to a switches contact spark? Static high voltage may kill cmos chips as well as diodes if they have no built in protection. And TFT is kind of LCD, thta is a diode, no?

Did you test the monitor with no switch?

Yeah, I guess with a manual switch, it could cause a contact spark. I haven't really been able to find out exactly what causes the vertical blue line. It's like a column of stuck pixels to look at, but I doubt it actually is that.

Yep, I tried it without the switch. Tried it separately with both PC and XBox to make sure it was the monitor and not the PC, but it was definitely the monitor. Tried leaving it off overnight too, in case it was just burn-in or whatever the TFT equivalent is.

It was only a few weeks old, so the shop had no problem refunding me. Then I bought an identical model and brought that home to discover that it had an electrical fault and something inside was sparking. So now I've returned that too, and I'm back on my old 15" which suddenly seems tiny :P

So. I'm thinking it was just a crap monitor to begin with. :o>

I'd like to think so, but reviews for it are very positive. ( It was an Acer 1916WS. ) It is a crap shop though, for these sort of issues. Bought one of those portable TV/DVD combi units back in September and had to take it back because it was smashed to pieces inside the box. So perhaps Mr Magoo works in their warehouse.

Gabe,

Not sure about Dell prices in the UK, but they have some great LCD's and prices. I have the 24" 2405 model(the current is 2407) and it is incredible. Native res is 1920x1200 and it has 5 inputs(DVI, Composite, Component, VGA and svideo) so you can hook anything to it and switch easily. I have seen them going for less than $700 now. The 20" versions are quite good too and I have seen them for around $300.(this is being typed on the 20") and it has 4 inputs also. They both also have a USB hub built in(which I use all the time now) and the 24" has a multi card reader in it too.

A Dell 2407 can be had for under £600, which is an absolute bargain for such a wonderful device.

I also have a 2405 and can attest to the high quality of the display. Multiplt inputs are a boon and the card reader is put to good use on my setup as well.

For playing Xbox360, there are few better displays.

Dell have just released the 2707 as well, a 27" display with the same versatility and quality as the 2407 (still a 1920x1200 res, 6ms refresh).

Many people are complaining on the 2707 about the pixel pitch. I was excited when I first heard about it, but I'm not so sure now. I really want the 30", but I can't bring myself to spend that kind of money. Although the price has halved since the release. They are getting in striking range. I saw refurbs for $1049 a while back. That res would be great for Dev work (and gaming ;)

Not that I don't appreciate suggestions on a replacement, but before I can even consider a replacement, I need to decide whether I think the way I was using the monitor was responsible for it's premature death. ( Well a blue line is hardly death, but you know what I mean. )

I take it that no one really sees any direct correlation between the way it was used and what happened to it, apart from the obvious coincidental timing.

You did.

Thank you.