CompuServe Thread

#Monitor Woes

7 messages in this thread
#49493From: Frank C. YoungMay 20, 1989 6:34 PM
[B [B [B [B [B/exit I have a 1084 monitor which has started acting up. Randomly it will bla for varying lengths of time and then recover. I have tried to get it fixed twice with out success as it works fine at the shop. The problem is that the problem is random, may not occurs for hours on end, and no one wants to wait on it. Has anyone else had this problem? (Sorry for the formatting 1st time to try)
#49557From: Don Curtis/SYSOPMay 21, 1989 12:09 AM
Frank, Your message was a bit garbled…but I think you were saying that your monitor blanks every now and then and after a while it then recovers. With an intermittent like that…it's hard to diagnose here, but presuming the power light stays on…you could have a problem with your Amiga or your monitor. The best way to find out which is to swap the monitor with another one and see if the problem continues. I realize that swapping monitors isn't the easiest task in the world…especially finding someone to swap with, but that's the only way you'll find out exactly what's going one. Don
#49886From: DesignTechMay 23, 1989 1:28 AM
Don and Frank, My 1084 and a friend's 1084 both have a different problem in which the monitor cracks and the picture jumps (Like changing the channel on a TV). The local tech says that Commodore (Canada at least) acknowledged the problem and the problem is that static electricty gets stored in the tube, and then it ZAPS! as it dischanrged. I think the fix is a capacitor from somewhere on the tube to the ground (Don't do this without checking out what I am saying with a qualified tech – This is from a distant memory). BTW – My monitor has run for about 1 1/2 years like this with no visible damage, and a "ZAP" every 5-10 minutes. Sincerely, Brian R. Niessen
#49566From: Joel HalbertMay 21, 1989 1:56 AM
Frank, if the high-pitched "squeal" from the monitor also stops when it blanks out, and/or the power light goes out, then you are losing the high voltage. I had this problem on my 1080, and I have fixed it by adjusting the OVP (overvoltage protection) potentiometer. Remember, you shouldn't try this yourself unless you are very confident about your ability to safely tinker with the monitor – you are playing with a 20,000 volt circuit. Good luck in fixing your problem. One other thought – forgive me if this is too silly, but are you quite sure that you aren't simply seeing the effect of a screen-saver program? These programs run in the background, and are designed to blank the screen after 5 minutes or so of inactivity by the user. The picture would come back when you move the mouse or type on the keyboard. Well, I didn't think that was it – just checking to be sure! Joel
#49861From: Frank C. YoungMay 23, 1989 12:27 AM
Joel, thanks for your reply. I do lose the high pitched squeal, often with an accompanying pop not unlike a static discharge. Although I do use a screen saver program (Qmouse), I am certain that is not the problem. My repairman (giving the benefit of the doubt) is trying desperately to blame it on my computer, but I don't believe there is any signal the amiga could send to the monitor to produce the pop and disappearance of the screen. Ideally I would have another monitor immediately at hand so that when one blinks out, I could switch back and forth and demonstrate a monitor problem. Of course, Ideally the monitor would not have the problem to begin with! Thanks for your suggestions. Frank Young
#49879From: Don Curtis/SYSOPMay 23, 1989 1:02 AM
Frank, It's the monitor, have him go over the high-voltage circuit including the over-voltage protection circuit. Also, have him put corona dope on the HV oscillator. Don
#49979From: SyndesisMay 23, 1989 7:13 PM
You aren't pouring water down the back of your monitor, are you? They make that noise when you do that, too.