I have a friend who approached me with a computer “problem”. He tells me that his monitor [every now and then] goes into a “spasm”, where it flickers between brightnesses and such. He said it didn’t used to do that, and he’s worried. Any ideas???
could the monitor be at the end of its tether? is it quite old?
This is definitely not a good sign. But when it finally fails, it isn’t likely to explode or anything (unless dropped or kicked in frustration).
M
A monitor problem is what he thought. The main monitor is 3 years old. He has others, but says that he experiences the same problem on those. It must be something internal [in the computer].
Could very well be his graphics card is going south.
–James
When did he last have his eyes checked? 
look who’s talking!! 
Also check the monitor cable. See if it happens / gets worse when you wiggle the cable, especially at either end.
This may be a bit hi-tech for your friend, but give it a try and see what happens: give the monitor a slap upside the head. If the picture wobbles and bounces all over the place the monitor is fried. There is no recovery from this, and the monitor must be replaced. However, if the picture does not change, the problem may be a loose monitor cable, or a video card on its last legs.
djm