monitor repair help please

[Atheus]

My monitor seems to have stopped working overnight with no warning... any attempt to input a signal results in repeated 'clicks' as it tries to sync (or something) but the screen stays black.

Of course, i'm about to take it apart and try to fix it. I understand i will need to discharge those big caps, but do i just short the two leads? or do i need to run the positive lead to ground? any other safety concerns?

 

[Demoth]

Before taking it apart, make sure you tried every other option first.

Hard reset the monitor by unplugging it for 30 seconds or so and see if it works.

Disconnect the monitor and see if you get any D-Sub message or the like.

Try the monitor on another system.

Try it into another power outlet or straight into the wall.

If you don't know electronics, I'd recommend not taking it apart. Those CRTs can hold enough of a charge to kill you for a long time unplugged. If anyone gives advice on how to ground it out, get a second and third opinion before trying. Myself, I just get a new monitor because the clicking means there is more going on then just a loose wire. Could either be a problem outside the monitor itself though.

 

[Atheus]

Yea, I tried unplugging it for a while, tried a different system, etc. I'm pretty sure it's the monitor itself.

I do have some experience with electronics, just not high voltage stuff, so i don't want to go discharging those things the wrong way. However, inexperience and risk of injury have never stopped me dismantling anything before, so i'm going to solder a bit of house wiring onto a screwdriver and connect the other end to the ground pin in the wall socket. If anyone thinks this is a bad idea tell me now.

 

[xtknight]

http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/crtfaq.htm#crtcsa

http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/crtfaq.htm#crtddt

My dad doesn't even bother discharging it (at least I don't think he does?), but I wouldn't recommend touching anything in the CRT without discharging. :Q I think you'll want to use a plastic screwdriver because it doesn't conduct electricity, but I have verrry little electronic experience so you'll want to ask 5 others who have a lot more experience in it before taking anything I say seriously.

 

[xtknight]

Well, how did it go? :Q

 

[ITPaladin]

He's dead Jim...

 

[Eureka]

Yep...

Norm

 

[fliguy84]

Originally posted by: ITPaladin
He's dead Jim...

:shocked:

 

[Peter]

But Jim, I'm a doctor, not a *bzzzzt* *frizzle*

 

[Spacecomber]

After how many hours do you usually file a missing person's report?

 

[Steve]

Maybe somebody ought to ask a mod when he last logged in, as his profile isn't enabled.

 

[Steve]

He's posted elsewhere on this board since then. He's fine.