Anyone know about monitors?

[Furby]

The other day I had to attend to a pc. The guy has a couple networked as he is in a band and produces music so he has allsorts attactched to his systems. He had a severe problem of monitors blowing and a very broken picture on the screen amongst other problems.

I knew the refresh rate was the main cluprit, of the monitors but there were quite a few other problems that needed sorting like cab files etc... I havemanaged to fix the problems he has with his pc, but he was only directed my way after he had blown three monitors! Trouble is, one of his monitors is in for repair, and the shop kindly gave him another monitor to borrow - and yes, you guessed it - he blew it.

After sorting the pc out, he asked if I could fix the montiors too, especially the borrowed one :eek:

I explained that although I can fix most software related problems, and I am learning to build systems, that I have never been inside a monitor in my life! He wanted to know what component would have blown, and I am afraid I can only answer him in a limited manner.

Does anyone know what is the most likely thing to have blown due to refresh rate and other problems? He is desperate to get it fixed as he has to take it back soon and collect his, and he is bothered that the shop will charge him full price for a new one :rolleyes:

If you have an idea what will have gone on the monitor, would you also happen to have an idea how much it would cost to repair? OR would it be better not to repair it and just let him cut his losses and pay the price of a new one :confused:

Any help appreciated :D

[SpaceAgent]

It could be absolutely anything I'm afraid. Important point though, there are very, very dangerous voltages inside a monitor, sometimes they can even persist for a fair while after switching off and unplugging from the mains. Don't attempt to repair one, or even to open one, unless you are totally sure what you are doing.

If the shop lent him one then if it failed in normal operation it can't be his responsibility.

It's a bit puzzling why so many monitors are failing though. Is he trying to run them at incredibly high refresh rates (not that most modern monitors are damaged by that any more) or what?

[Paul B]

Most monitors come with a 3 years manufacurers guarentee so if he's blowing them just get in touch with the makers and they'll do him a swap.

Haven't got a clue what may have gone - could be many things even down to the smallest resistor. Again I wouldn't poke about inside a monitor under any circumstances what so ever. I have done quite a bit on PCB's in my time along with control circuitry and with the stuff they cram in to a monitor it's like a mine field.

[onomatopoeia]

Windows generally warns you when you change the refresh rate about blowing up your monitor, and nowadays most monitors are plug and play so you can only choose rates that are supported.

If he's running something else (like linux or any of the other unix clones) with X, that does not warn you but assumes you know what you are doing. One of my friends did blow up his monitor by saying it was capable of 200Hz Vertical refresh then typing "startx". Oops

They certainly shouldn't keep going pop like that, if it's not excessive refresh rates then perhaps their is a problem with the video card putting out unfriendly signals? Try a new video card maybe.

I definitely second the above two posts, do not open one up! There are kilovolts of electricity hanging around inside.

[Ste]

Monitors are usually non-serviceable, which basically means of it breaks down you won't be able to fix it, unless there's just a problem with the cable

Hmm, I know it sounds a bit cheeky, but could he not just "obliviously hand" the monitor back to them? Maybe they'll never know, until the next person wants to borrow it ;)

Has he considered a surge protector for his monitor? Could be a power-related problem :confused: :confused: :confused:

Don't go opening it up either.

[Rock DJ]

actually thats what i need a surge protector how much do they cost and where can i get em from.

[TheScotsman]

Rock - buy a new power extension strip with built in surge protection.
Nowadays you can also put the phone line into the same strip, so it is protected too.

Can't remember how much - might be about £15 for a 6way 6 foot extension.

Argos do them at a reasonable price.

[Bluetack]

10 quid from staples.

CTX monitors just display an error message if you bang the refresh rate up too high! I suppose most new monitors do this.

[Furby]

Thanks guys for the help :)

I will suggest surge protectors, I didn't think of that and I use them myself!

He didn't exactly alter the refresh rate - there were no warnings, if you saw how win98 was set up you would know why :eek: there are other problems with drivers and yes Mark, I think there is a big video problem to say the least.....

I am fitting another video card on Monday now as he has gigs over the weekend. I have to get this machine working effectively as the band need to finish the three music songs for their new album which was supposed to be this week, as posted on the web - they are getting a bit frustrated now as people are waiting :confused:

Luckily as I fixed most things he could back up the files and songs he needs - I would like to do a complete reinstallation of windows but after the last songs are complete we have decided to strip this computer down, test the parts and rebuild it up again, so a re-install would be a waste of time.

Not an easy task considering the extras attatched - you would have to see it to beleive it :eek: I was unaware of how much of a music studio you could make from a pc!

Thanks again - I have no intentions of going into a monitor BTW - I was just asking to see if it could be salvaged... looks like he will have to use his *charm* to get away with this on :smokin

Thanks again :D

[Furby]

computer I am working on! :lol After checking around Mark's (Zero's) website I found the perfect pic, so now you know what I mean...... ;)

http://members.nbci.com/celtic_cross/galleryindex.html

after clicking on the link, click on *Recording Folk De Future* and then it is the second row of pics, and the second picture in that row...... ;) Now you are all going to tell me no wonder why the monitors blew! :lol

[Magnum malum]

Running a PC with the case removed is a bad idea, you don't get efficient airflow around the components and it could easily overheat, that and the fact that there appears to be a space heater pointed directly at it:lol .
It would be much better to fit the case and drill holes in it to run the cables through, and add some case fans. It could well be overheating that has borked the video card.

[Furby]

:lol

I know, when we rebuild it we WILL be putting holes in, and ADDING more necessary fans to his overworked hard drives (there is 2)until we get the components together for the new system! :lol When he rang to ask if I could help, and I went to see, I couldn't beleive it! My first thoughts where.......... :eek:

He has been running this system for four years or so like this, beleive it or not and has had some probs I believe. He also has recorded many songs, and produced many albums on it!

He wants to put a new higher spec together and has asked me to help him - being a woman I will make sure it is tidier in the building process :smokin Managing of this pc for four years, he is going to be surprised when the new one goes together......he won't beleive the speed and the lack of problems - BUT - watch this space I will be posting avidly :lol

Bluetack, if you read this, what is the CS like at ccl computers?