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Photo provided by Russell Bennett
"The Art Coach"
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PB Tech Guy #045
by Steve Lowe
Welcome to this week’s most popular questions I am
asked. Over the next coming weeks, we will continue to cover the top 50
questions you have asked about your personal computer. This week we will
cover monitors and screen savers.
Question #20: I have heard different comments of
the use of screensavers. Can having a still image displaying on the
monitor for a extended period of time cause a permanent ghosting image?
First of all, let’s discuss screensavers. They were first derived to
protect CRT monitors from phosphor burn in or ghosting. CRT stands for
Cathode Ray Tube. These are the old bulky monitors that were used for
years. The phosphor is in these old monitors and a still image displaying
for a long period of time can burn a ghost image. The new flat panel
monitors do not have the phosphor. However, LCD (liquid crystal display)
monitors do have a low risk in ghosting. Often it can be temporary or
perhaps a problem with the video card. Plasma screens do have a high risk
of ghosting and a screensaver should be used. Finding a plasma screen for
a PC’s are few and far between. With LCD monitors, one option would be to
use a blank screensaver or even better no screensaver. Set the PC power
management to hibernate at a certain period of non-use. Screensavers can
be entertaining and can be useful in your work place if you have something
on the screen that does not need to be seen by others as they walk by. The
advantage of having the monitor to hibernate or sleep is that by the
pressing the spacebar on the keyboard will wake it back up. Using this
method will save on energy and save the life of your monitor. The sleep
method or blank screen is my preferred method. I say screensavers are old
school. It is a cheap way to have your own aquarium without the hassle of
having to feed and take care of the fish.
Just a reminder, all of my past articles is listed on
my website. You can also become a fan on Facebook. Please feel free to
contact me with questions by e-mailing me at
info@pbtechguy.com
and be sure to visit
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