[tlug] Dying Monitor?

[pjacobs@example.com]

Obviously not a Linux-specific question, but I hope you don't mind my asking.

I've got a Samsung SyncMaster 245B external monitor that has started acting rather strangely.  There are times when I power it on, connect it to my laptop, and screen remains completely black. Then after a while, seemingly out of the blue, the screen comes on.  And then after another while (sometimes anyway), it goes back to black.  The blue power light remains on throughout, so I'm thinking it's not an issue with the power supply.

Has anyone ever seen such behavior with external monitors?  Is it anything perhaps easily repairable by either myself or perhaps a shop, or something I can try?  Is this my monitor's way of telling me it's dying a slow death? 

I know they're not all the expensive, but I'd rather not buy a new monitor if I can avoid it.

Thanks in advance for any assistance provided.

Cheers,

Peter Jacobs