DescentBB

So O.K., here I come again, hat in hand for advice.
Screen size will suddenly narrow by half but elongate such that I cannot access command at the top or bottom (such as when in microsofts Word).Screen is also much darker. When I reboot screen is normal and stays that way for varying amounts of time. When the screen is narrowed, I cannot use the monitor controls by pusing the monitors control button.
I'm thinking either the monitor is going (yet when the screen is normal and I go into control panel/settings all is normal) or the vid card is dying.
Any thoughts before I start swapping things out? (this involves a spare computor so time is not a critical factor)
Win xp pro is O.S.

1) try diff monitor, I'm sure it's the monitor.
2) try new video card if monitor passes.

Try the same monitor on a different computer, even a laptop will do, checking it on a different computer will also mean you are checking all the connections and cables for a secure fit. If it still does it on a different computer ---> montor death. If it doesn't do it on another computer but still does it on yours ---> check video card.

Monitor is dead, same thing happened to me a year or 2 ago.
Smack the side of the monitor when it happens, it will change sizes

Cable.

What Bash said.

Well it is the monitor as I put it on another comp. and the same thing happened. Now could the cable, as bash and mobman suggest, be bad and how hard is it to replace as the cable looks hardwired to the monitor?

damaged cables usually only cause the colors to change, not the whole picture to shrink.
My uncle's TV is doing the exact same thing you describe, it is dying.

Is the monitor very old?

Monitor is a Magview and perhaps 4 years old. Sounds like the controller plates inside may need adjusting. I may take it to my favorite repair shop and see if it is fixable. Repairs cost at a max 85.00 or they'll reccommend to scrap it.

Most places won't open a monitor case becusase of the danger of electricution from the tube.

My repair man has a regular T.V. repair business. Comp. monitors fit right in.

I think the racoon should earn his keep and fix it for you

Its either something with the magnets, or you've got a screwy control on the front. Either way, its not something you yourself could service unless you knew alot about TV repair.