I run an old mac (as a plot server) with an old CRT monitor on it at the office, the thing was left on for nearly 3 months (no sleep function) and the screen has slight ghosts in it. From what I have seen, after 6-8 years its about time for a better monitor anyways.
Does anybody actually have an explanation as to why screen burn happens? I'm just curious, do the pixels just get stuck in a certain colour?
As far as I have heard, screen burn on LCDs occurs especially with dark colors since the screen has to switch its pixels to the "on" position to block the light coming from the backlight. So they suggest using a light colored desktop image to prevent this kind of sticking...if you leave your screen on for extended periods. In the interest of power saving and extending the life of monitors, I typically turn mine off when I know I won't be using them for over 30 minutes, or so.
screen burn eh? I used to leave my old 7500 on with an Apple 17 inch screen, not for 24 hrs though. Thank god my screen is ok. But hey if you find your screen a little burned, just think it's not as bad as the Mrs. Pac-Mac machines down at your local arcade. Those screens will have those crazy mazes burned in them for all time... poor arcades...