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 HäckerApr 27, 2023

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?

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 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 Schildt

@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?

Apr 28, 2023 at 12:27amWeb
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."