TV Used AS PC Monitor Keeps Turning Off

Edit: As usual I will tell the solution first: change Windows desktop resolution. Video players and games will have their own resolutions.

My current frustration (I need to bury this piece of crap Vizio VA370M in the back yard) is my TV if used as a PC monitor keep turning off. I can't keep it on long enough to even experiment with settings. All the standard settings to keep the PC from sleep on the monitor/machine side are correct so it needs to be a setting on the TV which I assume does not exist.

I have found no help on line, and will record any solution I find here.

Let's try Vizio chat. I will print the results to these questions:


Do any firmware updates exist for VA370M?

TV keeps turning off when hooked to PC even though PC sleep settings are off.

ROKU sound distortion over HDMI


 Christopher: Thank you for contacting VIZIO Live Chat, the home of Entertainment Freedom for All.  This is Christopher in South Dakota. Have you ever contacted us before?
 Me: no
 Me: I assume you have my questions?
 Christopher: no firmware is available for this model. try re adjusting the resolution settings.
 Me: adjusting on the TV?
 Christopher: no on  the pc, start at the lowest setting and work upward.
 Me: I will try. Do you have any idea about the Roku/WDTV sound distortion over HDMI? I have two other Vizio models that work fine.
 Christopher: do you have other cables to try?
 Me: I have tried different cables, swapped end for end, tried composite and all the standard ideas.
 Christopher: does this happen with the other tv's?
 Me: No the others work fine. I have tried different HDMI ports also.
 Christopher: How old is this model tv?
 Me: I don't know, maybe 3 years.
 Christopher: the hdmi ports may be going bad.
 Me: I have tried HDMI combined with composite for sound but that does not do it. Limited setting on both TV and ROKU side so don't know if they are smart enough to determine where the sound is originating.
 Christopher: Here is the number to our repair technicians they will give you a diagnosis.
 Me: I don't see a number?
 Christopher: VIZIO does have two partner companies who are certified to perform repairs on VIZIO TV's.  You can reach them at ITI- (888)248-2708 and HD Repair- (800) 713-2671.
 Me: Thanks. Have a great day.
 Christopher: Thank you for contacting VIZIO Chat Support!  If you need our assistance again in the future you can contact us by Chat, Email, and Phone service.  That information is found on www.vizio.com.  Have a great day!

So .... I will try lower resolution for the monitor shut down problem.
OK, setting the PC resolution lower "fixed" the monitor shut down. This vizio has some problems with 1920 res. I got to 1280x768 and it still worked. At least I can keep the monitor on to troubleshoot.

Still no help on the Roku ... maybe the HDMI ports on the Vizio are truly broken.