Computer monitors

[Bigsaint]

Are they rebuildable ??? The one on my desktop just took a dirt nap. If it matters, it's a Gateway, the monitor has EV700 on it's faceplate, guessing it's rebadged by Gateway. Before it died, it was showing sporadic lines at times, almost like interference on a TV, on the screen. TIA



Scott W.

 

[Todd G]

If you know a TV repairman that will work REAL cheap, then let him give it a try. You can get a 19" monitor for under $150. 00. Just go buy another one.

 

[Koa Man]

Monitors are pretty cheap now. I have a 19 inch flat screen that I paid $329 for at CompUSA. The LCD monitors are still pretty expensive, but if yours is a regular one, I would just buy a new one. The 17 inchers are real cheap and 15 inchers can probably be gotten for free if you ask around. I threw away the 15 incher that came with my old computer after a couple of years, even tho it was still working.

 

[Bigsaint]

Thanks guys. I checked around, found some good prices and was all set to order another, now the damn thing is working fine ???? The only thing I can contribute to the failure was the high humidity of the past few days. I'm wondering if I might have a glitch with the video card or the drivers, any computer gurus wish to take a stab at that theory ??? As I stated above, the only indication that I get is very sporadic lines of 'static', kinda like what you would see if someone was using a two way radio near a TV equipped with a antenna. Now I'm not sure if I should get another monitor ( hate to spend $$$ that could go to the truck ) or ride it out. My wife has all of her work for her Masters program on this computer and it needs to be up and running at her demand. Thanks again for any and all input. If it helps, all of my computer equipment is plugged into a surge protector.



Scott W.

 

[Joel Richards]

I would ride it out. . Monitors are easy to come by - save your $$ until you need to spend them. If it does die, you can get another one most likely that same day - or the next day for sure. I do know what it's like to keep the Mrs. happy



HTH

Joel

 

[sdalton]

My new system came with a 16 inch flat screen. I had a 19 inch tube monitor before. I will never go back. Spend the extra money and go flat.

 

[merryman]

There is a fellow 25 miles up the road who repairs monitors. According to him, it is nearly impossible toget new parts as the manufacturers consider them throw away items and do not make spare parts. This guy uses parts from one bad one to repair another.

I do business with him not because it makes a lot of economical sence to do so but because I like him and like to help him.

He is something over 80 years old and he was an electronics technician serving on the USS ARIZONA when it was sunk a Perl Harbor. He looks and acts more like 65.

When my monitor acts up, I just haul it up to him and for $35. swap it to him for one he has repaired. It allways turns out to be a real plesant visit.



Vaughn

 

[BigYellowIron]

LCD are rule!!!



They take up hardly any space.



They are worth the extra money!



Just my opinion!



Adam

 

[Bigsaint]

Thanks again, all good info ! Guess I'll just ride it out for now and plan on a new purchase in the near future.



Scott W.

 

[dresslered]

Maybe ya just had to wipe the soot off of it!



Usually it is the high voltage power supply that goes out first and these are rebuildable. Other times, it is the tube and this is major. Like the other's are saying, time for a new one. Your symptoms sound like the power supply is going south. You might want to just start leaving it on as every time you power cycle it, it might be its last breath!

 

[Motorhead]

Bigsaint, Like a TV, a monitor collects a lot of dust inside its circuits. I would carefully take the back off and blow it out. I lost a high end TV because of dust allowed the high tension circuit to arc. That was the one time that I was glad I bought an extended warranty. Used the TV for 3 years and got my full purchase price back. Of course the replacement was a few hundred more.

 

[DieselDoghouse]

Bigsaint, has long as the connectors match up and if your computer manual says its was a VGA monitor, then you can use anybody's VGA, including MacIntosh monitors. VGA's all use what we call a 'sync on green' technology, so they would all talk to the computer's video board the same way. I mention Mac because if you are looking for used they were (and are) great - well made and VERY easy on the eyes because they used a faster refresh rate (your eyes can't detect) then most others and don't show that hideous flicker viewed from an angle. You'd really like a refresh rate > 85 times a second (hertz). Good luck. As to repairing the old 'fishbowl' well, maybe—probably not worth it!!