Felix HäckerApr 27, 2023

So folks, don't forget to check if your Ikea chair is compatible with your screen. I'm not kidding. A thread 🧵.

I've had the problem with my new screen for several weeks now, that every now and then the screen goes black for a few seconds.

Today I had enough and wanted to investigate the problem. So I started changing all the cables, plugging the screen into a different socket, and and and. Nothing helped.

#ikea #chair #hardware #weird

Show threadFelix HäckerApr 27, 2023

The only correlation I could find was that the screen only goes off when my Ikea office chair is somehow involved.

So I suspected a loose contact somewhere. But no. No matter how much I wiggled the table/cables, everything was fine.

The problem was only there when I sat down or stood up, although the chair didn't even touch the table.

Show threadFelix Häcker

That was the moment I had my doubts. So I got another chair and tested it with it. No problem, screen stays on.

Took the Ikea "MARKUS" chair again, sat down - screen went off again.

HUH?! My chair has a feature that automatically turns screens on/off? I guess nice privacy feature?

Apr 27, 2023 at 7:29pmWeb
Show threadFelix HäckerApr 27, 2023

I started to lose faith and couldn't find a logical explanation. So I searched the internet for "ikea markus chair screen problems" 🤦‍♂️

WAIT! I am not the only one with this problem!? Found the following (German) forum post:

https://www.computerbase.de/forum/threads/hauptmonitor-wird-sporadisch-kurz-schwarz.2060771/

Hauptmonitor wird sporadisch kurz schwarz

Hallo, Ich habe ein Problem, das mich nun schon länger verfolgt und dass ich somit nicht mehr auf meine Hardware direkt zurückführen kann. Grund: Das Problem bestand schon in der alten Wohnung und auch mit dem alten PC. Seit Auftreten wurden SÄMTLICHE Komponenten vollständig ausgetauscht: Der...

ComputerBase Forum
Show threadFelix HäckerApr 27, 2023

It turns out that the fabric seat cover, and/or the gas suspension creates such a strong electrostatic discharge (ESD) that my screen shuts off for a short time.

The solution? No idea yet, but it seems that insulating the chair with copper foil and connecting it to a socket (ground) might help, as you can see here:

https://www.computerbase.de/forum/threads/hauptmonitor-wird-sporadisch-kurz-schwarz.2060771/post-26745640

Welcome to 2023 - Your Ikea "MARKUS" chair is not compatible with your screen 👏🤦‍♂️

#ikea #chair #hardware #weird

Hauptmonitor wird sporadisch kurz schwarz

Hallo, Ich habe ein Problem, das mich nun schon länger verfolgt und dass ich somit nicht mehr auf meine Hardware direkt zurückführen kann. Grund: Das Problem bestand schon in der alten Wohnung und auch mit dem alten PC. Seit Auftreten wurden SÄMTLICHE Komponenten vollständig ausgetauscht: Der...

ComputerBase Forum
Show threadKristijanApr 27, 2023
@haeckerfelix ahaha, uau, that is interesting. I bet you went all Poirot on the situation. I'm glad you've found the bug 🤓
Show threadAmadeus MaximilianApr 27, 2023

@haeckerfelix wait, what? 😳😅

I have the same issue! With a different chair, not from IKEA and only my main screen (the secondary one is identical though) shuts off randomly sometimes. Thought my GPU was bad or something, never could've thought it might be linked to the chair. 😅

Show threadFelix HäckerApr 27, 2023

@amxmln Is it possible that your second monitor is connected via DisplayPort?

I have the feeling that DisplayPort is more "sensitive" than HDMI in that regard.

Show threadAmadeus MaximilianApr 27, 2023

@haeckerfelix My primary screen (the one which shuts off) is plugged in via HDMI and the secondary (which remains on) via Display Port—but the secondary screen is further away from my chair than the primary one. 🤔

I’ll keep an eye on whether or not I can reliably reproduce it now that I know it might be the chair. 😊

Show threadDaniel SchildtApr 28, 2023

@amxmln @haeckerfelix HDMI seems to be more sensitive to interference. I have two external displays on a laptop, and only of of those gets blanked frequently. Larger display has longer cable, so that might be part of the reason why it's more sensitive to any issues. Maybe better cable quality might reduce part of the issues, as some of the thinner cables don't have that much insulation.

But seriously, the chair is likely to the blame, not the cables. Floor covering might also matter a bit, too?

Show threadHtaggertApr 28, 2023
@autiomaa @amxmln @haeckerfelix that whole thing is just Wow! I would not have figured out the connection! Luckily for tre past 7 years I’ve relied on a Yoga ball for computer seating.
Show threadAmadeus MaximilianApr 28, 2023
@Htaggert that's the way to go. 🤣👌
Show threadmicroChasmApr 28, 2023
@Htaggert @autiomaa @amxmln @haeckerfelix You are now known as Yoga Ball Woman. That is the Way.
Show threadHtaggertApr 28, 2023
@autiomaa @amxmln @haeckerfelix @microChasm but but but I identify as a woman…. 😂😂🤷🏻‍♀️
Show threadmicroChasmApr 28, 2023
@Htaggert @autiomaa @amxmln @haeckerfelix Oh my! I will edit that. My apologies. I obviously need to tap on the poster to see who they are and how they identify themselves when I am scroll posting.
Show threadHtaggertApr 28, 2023
@amxmln @haeckerfelix @autiomaa @microChasm it’s ok. I can try to be a man! I just was laughing!
Show threaddunhamApr 28, 2023
@Htaggert What size of ball? I've been thinking of trying this to improve posture/ergonomics, but had no idea what size to get. (Also, my kids would probably steal it, but worth a shot.)
Show threadHtaggertApr 28, 2023
@dunham a normal regular one- they sell them vi the inter webs with a small dish with rollers between 65-80 USD, sometimes less. 😻 I love my ball chair!
Show threadSpeed demon 🇪🇺 🇳🇴🇺🇦🇵🇸Apr 28, 2023
@autiomaa @amxmln @haeckerfelix Could be the material in the feet (wheels?) of the chair and the floor interact to create static charge. I believe there exist floor coverings created specifically to avoid this problem.
Show threadDaniel SchildtApr 28, 2023

@hakona @amxmln @haeckerfelix Furniture ESD from chairs is difficult to "fix", as there are multiple different potential causes for it. It's not the floor covering, even while that can increase the risk.

https://emcesd.com/pdf/eos93.pdf (PDF file, original article from 1993) tells that:

"Normal methods of ESD control such as wrist straps, floor wax, as well as "ESD safe" chairs have no effect on this problem. Therefore an equipment problem may exist in a location and ESD not be suspected as the cause."

Show threadTony ArklesApr 28, 2023
@amxmln @haeckerfelix It's official even! https://support.displaylink.com/knowledgebase/articles/738618-display-intermittently-blanking-flickering-or-los
Display intermittently blanking, flickering or losing video signal – DisplayLink Support

Show threadlj·rkApr 27, 2023
@haeckerfelix @amxmln Yup, exactly this problem with a HÅG Capisco 8601 & DisplayPort.
Show threadElias ProbstApr 28, 2023
@haeckerfelix I had major issues like this due to a cheap, badly shielded DisplayPort cable. Whenever a USB cable came in contact with it, the screen flickered or went off. Bought a bit more expensive one - problem solved.
@amxmln
Show threadAlexApr 28, 2023
@haeckerfelix @amxmln wait is this why my screens randomly go black? I don’t have an ikea chair but I have the same issue. I use DisplayPort.
Show threadJani PoikelaApr 30, 2023
@haeckerfelix @amxmln I've had the issue with one adapter.. it was sensitive to the office seat and switching on certain lights.. now I know I wasn't hallucinating
Show threadM1KJun 16, 2023

@haeckerfelix @amxmln

I‘m late to the party and obviously too stupid to comprehend how electric discharge works but what I realized is that when I‘m working on both of my MSI displays, one sometimes goes into black screen and sometimes even into white noise (even when I‘m not around). When I‘m playing PlayStation on the „faulty“ monitor I‘ve not even once had an issue… What’s that about? Do I have to get a new chair? Are my monitors in danger? Am I in danger? 😱

Show threadBenjaminMay 5, 2023
@amxmln @haeckerfelix Same here, only my main screen is affected. I also have dual-screen and both are connected with top-notch Club3D DP cables. Doesn't help against the Zeus-like power of the IKEA Markus with fabric, obviously... :<
Show threadBenjaminMay 5, 2023
@amxmln @haeckerfelix There seems to be a correlation to the air humidity, too, since I had this problem upon every little movement in autumn and winter, but right now, it has become very very rare.
Show threadJakub Steiner ⭐Apr 27, 2023
@haeckerfelix Herman Miller EMP
Show threadVivia 🦆🍵Apr 27, 2023
@haeckerfelix Oh yes, there's a white paper about this issue. https://emcesd.com/pdf/eos93.pdf
Show threadSylvhemApr 28, 2023

@vivia And it’s from 1993! It seems like it’s been around for a while.

@haeckerfelix

Show threadHaelwenn /элвэн/ Apr 28, 2023
@vivia @haeckerfelix Seems like chair version of https://github.com/PDP-10/its/issues/1232
The Magic Switch · Issue #1232 · PDP-10/its

I grabbed this from http://www.catb.org/jargon/html/magic-story.html. I was thinking it should be in some ITS backup file, but I couldn't find it. Some years ago, I (GLS) was snooping around in the...

GitHub
Show threadrobbystkApr 28, 2023
@lanodan @haeckerfelix seems like the chair version of https://www.tumblr.com/patrickthomson/2499755681/the-best-debugging-story-ive-ever-heard even more
The Best Debugging Story I've Ever Heard

Back in the early 80's, my dad worked at Storage Technology, a now-defunct corporate entity that made tape drives and pneumatic systems to drive these tapes at high speeds – for that period of time.…

Tumblr
Show threadHaelwenn /элвэн/ Apr 28, 2023
@robbystk @haeckerfelix Haha, IIRC there's a very similar story in https://suricrasia.online/iceberg/
The Cursed Computer Iceberg Meme

this is not a hall of shame. the intent is to awaken you to many of the peculiarities and weirdness of computers. hopefully, after reading these articles, you will have learned a lot and will embrace chaos.

Suricrasia Online
Show threadtotorootMay 8, 2023
@lanodan How did I not know about this site?!
So many nuggets on there 😂💀
Show threadchriskaufmannApr 28, 2023
@lanodan @haeckerfelix @vivia First thing I thought of too! ( I saw it here http://www.catb.org/jargon/html/magic-story.html first)
A Story About ‘Magic'

Show threadsrslypascalApr 29, 2023
@vivia @haeckerfelix
cc @33dBm
Show threadGreg Harvey 🌍Apr 27, 2023
@haeckerfelix Amazing!!! Thanks for sharing! 😯
Show threadgaloophApr 27, 2023
@greg_harvey @haeckerfelix That takes me back! One of my electronic engineering lecturers at uni in the 90's (the very cool Dr. Tozer) earthed his office chair to the radiator in his room. I must be getting old, just checked, and he's now an Emeritus Professor! 😀
Show threadmmu_manApr 27, 2023
@haeckerfelix eh, one of my external screens turns off for .5s when I turn on the light next to it, or sometimes when my fridge starts…
Show threadIvre Rocher  Apr 27, 2023
@haeckerfelix This reminds me of this : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLs2ibJf6jo
tududum 🎵

YouTube
Show threadKevin P. FlemingApr 27, 2023
@haeckerfelix WOW! I have this same symptom with a non-IKEA chair and hadn't yet been annoyed enough to figure out the cause. Thank you!
Show threadKinseyMay 9, 2023
@kevin @haeckerfelix my ex had this same problem with a secret lab omega chair. I solved it with an antistatic fabric coating
Show threadTimothée RavierApr 27, 2023
@haeckerfelix OMG, I might be impacted by this as well! Thanks for sharing
Show threadIvan MolodetskikhApr 27, 2023
@haeckerfelix lol, my blanket at home reliably shuts off my screen for a second when I make my bed. It's quite clear though because it's audibly sparking the static electricity
Show threadJulian HoferApr 28, 2023
@YaLTeR @haeckerfelix i never heard of this effect. I also don't understand what exactly is happening here
Show threadBornachApr 28, 2023

@ju @YaLTeR @haeckerfelix

Gas lift office chairs generate electromagnetic interference on poorly shielded HDMI cable.

Videos demonstrating the phenomenon went viral early 2020
https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/f7g1sa/gas_lift_office_chairs_causing_emi/

https://youtu.be/voW5kEI7JKE

https://www.theregister.com/2020/01/09/office_chair_emissions/

Gas lift office chairs causing EMI.

[https://twitter.com/royvanrijn/status/1214162400666103808](https://twitter.com/royvanrijn/status/1214162400666103808) I found this hilarious and...

reddit
Show threadmicroChasmApr 28, 2023
@ju @YaLTeR @haeckerfelix my understanding is that static electricity or electromagnetic interference is causing physical cable connections to temporarily disconnect.
Show threadgnoejuanApr 28, 2023
@haeckerfelix
Holy shit. I was looking at replacing my monitor, but if this is it.... wtf
Show threadDaniel SchildtApr 28, 2023

@GnoeJuan @haeckerfelix Another person shared a link to research paper from 1993 about Furniture ESD: https://toot.cat/@vivia/110272783275667799

"A New Type of Furniture ESD and Its Implications" by Douglas C. Smith

Vivia 🦆🍵:rustacean_ferris: (@[email protected])

@[email protected] Oh yes, there's a white paper about this issue. https://emcesd.com/pdf/eos93.pdf

Toot.Cat
Show threadDaniel SchildtApr 28, 2023
@haeckerfelix So this might be why my computer screen has been randomly going blank in the past two years. Happened at least 2-3 times per week recently. So it might be the chair. 😂
Show threadZalasur 🐸🇺🇦Apr 28, 2023
@haeckerfelix OMG that's the chair I have o:
Show threadPhil ReesApr 28, 2023

@haeckerfelix Have you tried waiving a towel at it while shouting "Cooeee! Mr Spaceship!"

Worked for Arthur and Ford with a similarly perplexing problem that turned out to be more of a time paradox than an intelligence test.

#HHGG

Show threadmicroChasmApr 28, 2023
@phrees @haeckerfelix Any observer would definitely lean more towards the “intelligence test”
Show threadFabian SchlenzApr 28, 2023
@haeckerfelix Whoa. I had exactly the same problem - except with a completely different chair. It disappeared once I got a new monitor, which apparently isn't as sensitive to ESD as the old one...
Show threadmicroChasmApr 28, 2023
@fabian @haeckerfelix Dud you use the same cable or a new cable that came with the new monitor? Was it the same kind of connection or a different connection?
Show threadFellApr 28, 2023

@haeckerfelix I had the exact same issue with another IKEA chair! But I didn't know it was the chair until now. All I know is that my wife's monitor turned off every time I got up. (I was right next to her)

Do you really think it's ESD?

Show threadEthan StarkweatherApr 28, 2023
@haeckerfelix a similar thing happens to me with my Steelcase Leap 2! I got the “billiard table” upholstery and the ESD will wake a computer from sleep that’s like ten feet away.
Show threadCareyApr 28, 2023
@ethans @haeckerfelix ESD waking a computer from sleep?! Here I was ready to blame my employer's Windows group policies.
Show threadGustav LindqvistApr 28, 2023
@haeckerfelix Holy shit, I have this exact same issue with another IKEA-chair
Show threadJW prince of CPHApr 28, 2023
@gustav @haeckerfelix My colleague has this exact issue with his screen - now I have to find out if our chairs are from IKEA 😱
Show threadMrinappropriateApr 28, 2023
@haeckerfelix Tinfoil hat will solve it.
Show threadjnbhlrApr 28, 2023
@haeckerfelix should read "chair not fcc (?) Compliant" :-) or who is the not refering to "may not produce harmful interference"? As the chair isn't an electric device it doesn't need to be tested I guess..