Hi Richard, I get the List in digest form so this reply is a little late. Your problem is most likely a failing flyback transformer. The warnings that were posted by others should be listened to as you can get a nasty shock or worse if you don't know what you are doing. Cleaning will stop the arcing but you didn't mention any sounds related to the picture going black so any internal housekeeping will not solve your problem. It also could be a cold solder joint in the video board but would need a technician to trace this problem down. You have to realize all this is arm chair quarterbacking and would need someone with TV/monitor experience to properly diagnose and repair. Sadly the cost of a flyback transformer and labor will be close to a new monitor. I recommend you shop around for a new one, sorry. Back in the day, when a decent size monitor cost $3000 it made sense to repair but a 17" monitor is less than $400 these days. I too recommend staying away from ViewSonic as I have some horror stories related to their monitors (even ones in warranty). Thanks for the commercial Joe :-) Craig >My Apple 17" Studio Display monitor is getting flaky. From time to time it >blacks out, but the picture comes back immediately. This happens five or >six times a day. Just now, it went out twice within about a second. Is this >a sign that the thing is about to die? Do you have any idea what could be >causing the problem? Otherwise, the picture is fine. The quality is as good >as ever. Could it possibly be a case of corrosion on the connectors to the >computer? It is scaring me, because if it dies, I don't know if I can get a >replacement for my 300MHz G-3. Sorry for the X-FB post, but there are so >many savvy participants to this list, I have to ask here first. ====================================================================== Aztech Professional On-Site Service * Craig Hoyt * Phone: 818-773-0864 Fax: 818-773-0675 * E-mail: craig@... * Web: http://www.aztech4mac.com Macintosh Technology Solutions Since 1984 =======================================================================