Flashing monitor problem

Been using a ViewSonic 912 monitor for a few years. Booted up this morning and got a flashing screen. The Windows login screen would appear, slightly dimmed and for a fraction of a second and then the screen would go blank for a second or so, then the cycle would repeat.

Tried another identical monitor and all was OK, so it looks like the monitor is at fault.

Grateful if anyone can tell me if this is a problem that can be fixed at a reasonable cost or is it time for a quick trip to the local tip?

Sorry for the small amount of info, but I tried booting a few times and also using another PC with the faulty monitor but each time the result was the same.

TIA

Almost certainly the inverter that powers the backlight, and almost certainly a defective capacitor on the board. I had the same problem with an Elonex.

Options:

1. If you are handy with a soldering iron, you can take the monitor apart , remove the inverter and inspect for any capacitors that have bulges in the case or look suspect, and replace it. It is often the smoothing capacitor on the output that fails, usually 4 of them, so replace all four. About 2 hours work and no more than a couple of puinds for the parts

2. Viewsonics may be made by another mfr and badge engineered. If you can find the OEM (often Mitac) they have a service centre, and if you can get the invertor part no (off the inverter PCB) you can buy a new one. Cost around £30. It may also be contacting viewsonic direct as they may be able to supply - I would expect the price to be the same sort of magnitude. (Mitac were the OEM for my Elonex)

3. Monitors are really cheap now so you might think it not worth £30 or the hassle to repair it, and think that it doesn't owe you anything, so bin it.

Thanks Peter.