monitor blacks out

[cattracker16]

I have a slight problem.. every once in a while my monitor will start to blacken out. not sure why. if i shut off the power button and wait a few minutes it will return to original, when the black happens it shows up slow and slowly takes over the whole screen. any ideas what the problem is? The puter is a dell 8400 w/ 20 inch flat pannel

[Timotha7]

If it is not on a Surge protector, or good power strip would start there
Kenny
Do you notice other liites dimming by any chance when it happens?

Would hope it might be something power related instead of thinking the monitor is going south on ya

[Mutt]

Well there are two things that can cause it 1. monitor going south on ya.
@ video card going.
Do you have access to another monitor? if you do hook it up and run it see what happens it it dont do that then replace the monitor if it does still do it replace the video card.

[TDawgNOk]

heck, already been answered for ya