Monitor or OS issue. Screen goes blank when displaying desktop

Hi, I have an odd situation here. I'm running Windows 8.1, and leave the computer running most of the time. When I turn the monitor back on and wake the computer from hibernation, the screen doesn't display anything if it's on the desktop. I have to turn the monitor on and off again over and over. Usually by the 15th time cycling on and off, I'll get a brief glimpse before it goes back to blank, and it takes upwards of 100 on/off in some instances.
However, if I'm on a web browser (firefox) when I turn it on, it comes right up. Alt+tab or minimize the browser to the desktop and it goes black. Alt+tab back to the browser and it comes back again. The only exception is if I've gone through the on/off thing and sort of "warmed up" the display.
Has anyone encountered this before, and do you have any suggestions on how to fix? Ready to say f--- it and buy a new computer.
Thanks in advance!