Any computer monitor repair gurus in the house?

[Homerr]

I have a Korea data systems vs-195 CRT monitor.<br /><br />From time to time it will slowly dim to black and then return just as quickly. It might do this once a day, sometimes twice. Sometimes you can give the side of it a smack when it's dimming and it will come right back on.<br /><br />I have a Radeon 9800 Pro video card that isn't more than a year old, so I can assume it's OK. <br /><br />The monitor is about 5 years old, so maybe it's just time to replace it?<br /><br />Whadya think?<br /><br />H.

 

[mrbscott19]

Re: Any computer monitor repair gurus in the house?

Hook the monitor up to a different PC. If it works ok, there may be a conflict with the video card, or it could be some stupid "power saver" option that is turned on. For the most part, monitors don't get repaired, they get replaced. But there are exceptions. Hook it up to a different pc and then go from there.

 

[MrBill]

Re: Any computer monitor repair gurus in the house?

Monitors are so cheap they're not worth repairing. Brand new a 17 inch monitor is under one hundred, used about 10 bucks. time for another monitor.

 

[Pony]

Re: Any computer monitor repair gurus in the house?

If you decide to go new, IMHO LCD is the only way to go. They last a long time, and have come down a lot in price. This last week there were quite a few deals on them.

 

[mrbscott19]

Re: Any computer monitor repair gurus in the house?

Don't go get a new one until you know its the monitor unless you're just looking for an excuse to trash it. <br /><br />I've been known to do that a time or 2 with different computer parts.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Any computer monitor repair gurus in the house?

Take the back off, fire it up and prod & tap with a long insulated (platic) stick, while looking at the screen in a mirror. If smacking it fixes the problem then it's most likely a cold solder joint or a bad connector. 5 minute fix once you find it. Since smacking it fixes it I doubt it's your video card unless your computer shares the table with your monitor.<br />Check out the monitor repair FAQ at repairfaq.org for saftey details, etc.<br />If it's easy to find it'll be easier to fix it than shopping for a new one.

 

[Homerr]

Re: Any computer monitor repair gurus in the house?

Thanks for the help guys.<br /><br />It's been a great monitor. This just stated happening about a month or so ago.<br /><br />I highly doubt it's my video card. The monitor has worked fine for several months with the new video card... then out of the blue it does this. I don't have a problem replacing the monitor if I have to.<br /><br />I thought of poking and prodding inside, but I dunno. I'm pretty handy and repairing electronic stuff, but the high-voltage that a CRT tube can produce... <br /><br />It's a 19". I'm thinking of going to a 20" or bigger for my blind butt!<br /><br />As far as an LCD, the court is still out on that one. I've been doing a lot of research on them and although the prices have came down... you still need to spend a lot of money for a decent sized and quality monitor. I can probably buy two new 20" CRT vs. one decent LCD.<br /><br />I think I'll wait on getting one. It sure would be nice to free up the desk space though...<br /><br />So I guess until it goes *POOF*, I'll deal with it. I just though one of you might know if it's a common problem that can be easily fixed.<br /><br /><br />H.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Any computer monitor repair gurus in the house?

When if fizzles out try wiggling the connector going to the computer.

 

[cart7]

Re: Any computer monitor repair gurus in the house?

Take the back off, set the monitor on it's side and allow it to run until it begins fading. Then, lightly tap around on the mainboard and the board plugged into the crt with the butt end of a screw driver. In fact, even before doing any of this you might want to just eyeball the solder joints, especially on the CRT board for a bad connection. I'm guessing this might be a problem in the CRT filament circuit. As the screen starts fading out, watch the filaments inside the neck of the tube (they glow orange when everythings working OK), if those start to fade away you've definitely got a filament circuit problem and more than likely due to a bad solder connection or loose plug on the crt board.<br /><br />As for the high voltage. Just don't mess around with the rubber cap on the bell of the CRT. That's the only way you'll get zapped.