Is My Monitor Dying?

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mickey4paws

I have a 19" CRT monitor and am running WinXP Pro. All of the sudden
today my monitor is degausing itself. It clicks on and off like it
would if you press the degaus button. It is also making a weird sound,
for lack of a better word. Kind of like a clicking sound when the
monitor first turns on. The only thing I"ve done differently is I
installed updated drivers for my Creative Audigy soundcard last night.
Does anyone have any idea if this is a hardware problem with the
monitor, or is it possible the sound card driver update messed
something up. I have a GeForce 5900 Ultra graphics card, running 5673
driver that installed when I installed Windows. Would updating my
graphics driver help?
Also wanted to mention that the screen kept getting smaller and larger,
like when an electrical load is pulling power.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
 
Probably.

I have a 19" CRT monitor and am running WinXP Pro. All of the sudden
today my monitor is degausing itself. It clicks on and off like it
would if you press the degaus button. It is also making a weird sound,
for lack of a better word. Kind of like a clicking sound when the
monitor first turns on. The only thing I"ve done differently is I
installed updated drivers for my Creative Audigy soundcard last night.
Does anyone have any idea if this is a hardware problem with the
monitor, or is it possible the sound card driver update messed
something up. I have a GeForce 5900 Ultra graphics card, running 5673
driver that installed when I installed Windows. Would updating my
graphics driver help?
Click to expand...
Also wanted to mention that the screen kept getting smaller
and larger, like when an electrical load is pulling power.
Click to expand...

That makes it much more likely that its actually the
FBT breaking down and not the degaussing at all.

That is arcing in the device that is used to generate the high voltage
that powers the tube and that is why the image size changes as it arcs.

Nothing to do with installing the sound card drivers.

Usually uneconomc to replace the FBT, a new monitor is usually cheaper.
 
I have a 19" CRT monitor and am running WinXP Pro. All of the sudden
today my monitor is degausing itself. It clicks on and off like it
would if you press the degaus button. It is also making a weird sound,
for lack of a better word. Kind of like a clicking sound when the
monitor first turns on. The only thing I"ve done differently is I
installed updated drivers for my Creative Audigy soundcard last night.
Does anyone have any idea if this is a hardware problem with the
monitor, or is it possible the sound card driver update messed
something up. I have a GeForce 5900 Ultra graphics card, running 5673
driver that installed when I installed Windows. Would updating my
graphics driver help?
Also wanted to mention that the screen kept getting smaller and larger,
like when an electrical load is pulling power.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

Sounds like your high voltage power supply is faulty (one of 2 power
supplies inside the CRT monitor). No, the soundcard drivers wouldn't have
caused that. All CRT monitors will fail in a similar fashion, eventually.
If it's what I think it is, it is definitely not worth fixing. The cost of
repair will greatly exceed the cost of a decent 19" LCD monitor to replace
the CRT. -Dave

My prescription:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824163129&ATT=24-163-129&CMP=OTC-Froogle
 
I have a 19" CRT monitor and am running WinXP Pro. All of the sudden
today my monitor is degausing itself. It clicks on and off like it
would if you press the degaus button. It is also making a weird sound,
for lack of a better word. Kind of like a clicking sound when the
monitor first turns on. The only thing I"ve done differently is I
installed updated drivers for my Creative Audigy soundcard last night.
Does anyone have any idea if this is a hardware problem with the
monitor, or is it possible the sound card driver update messed
something up. I have a GeForce 5900 Ultra graphics card, running 5673
driver that installed when I installed Windows. Would updating my
graphics driver help?
Also wanted to mention that the screen kept getting smaller and larger,
like when an electrical load is pulling power.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

I doubt it's the audio card, but why not revert the drivers on it to
whatever you had before and see? You can always reinstall the newer ones
right? Sounds like your monitor might be dying. They don't last forever.
 
Sounds like your high voltage power supply is faulty (one of 2 power
supplies inside the CRT monitor). No, the soundcard drivers wouldn't
have caused that. All CRT monitors will fail in a similar fashion, eventually.
Click to expand...

Nope, plenty never do.
If it's what I think it is, it is definitely not worth fixing. The cost of repair will
greatly exceed the cost of a decent 19" LCD monitor to replace the CRT.
Click to expand...

Those fail even more often than CRTs do.
 
I have a 19" CRT monitor and am running WinXP Pro. All of the sudden
today my monitor is degausing itself. It clicks on and off like it
would if you press the degaus button.
Click to expand...
Also wanted to mention that the screen kept getting smaller and larger,
like when an electrical load is pulling power.
Click to expand...

The cost of labor makes a repair uneconomical, but if this isn't the
flyback transformer (FBT), then it may be just a bad solder joint or
capacitor. No monitor I've found in the trash had anything worse wrong
with it. See if you can get another one for almost nothing from
Craigslist.com because many people don't want to pay disposal fees on
old CRT monitors.
 
I have a 19" CRT monitor and am running WinXP Pro. All of the sudden
today my monitor is degausing itself. It clicks on and off like it
would if you press the degaus button. It is also making a weird sound,
for lack of a better word. Kind of like a clicking sound when the
monitor first turns on. The only thing I"ve done differently is I
installed updated drivers for my Creative Audigy soundcard last night.
Does anyone have any idea if this is a hardware problem with the
monitor, or is it possible the sound card driver update messed
something up. I have a GeForce 5900 Ultra graphics card, running 5673
driver that installed when I installed Windows. Would updating my
graphics driver help?
Also wanted to mention that the screen kept getting smaller and larger,
like when an electrical load is pulling power.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

If you want to try a simple test, reduce the resolution setting
of the monitor. And/or the refresh rate. These affect the horizontal
and vertical frequencies.

I had a monitor where the flyback was arcing over. I tried to
clean it up as best I could, but it didn't help. One thing that
did help, and stopped the arcing, was to change from 1280x1024
resolution, to the next resolution down. That was enough to
reduce the stress on the high voltage, and stop the arcing.

The arcing happen on mine, when I left the house to get
lunch at a burger joint. There was a lightning storm while
I was away (and I left the monitor running), and when I got
back, the monitor was arcing about every 30 minutes or so.

I continued to run it at reduced resolution for several
years, until eventually I got an LCD to replace it. The
monitor is still usable if I need a second monitor.

As for the sound, you should compare the degaussing sound
to the noise you are hearing, just so you can distinguish
whether it is the same sound or a different sound. A
degaussing circuit could also break, and could be defective.
Mine sounded like it had a relay in it, as there was
a distinctive "click" at the end of the cycle. It is a
different sound than arcing would make.

Paul
 
Rod said:
Probably.
Also wanted to mention that the screen kept getting smaller

That makes it much more likely that its actually the
FBT breaking down and not the degaussing at all.

That is arcing in the device that is used to generate the high voltage
that powers the tube and that is why the image size changes as it arcs.

Nothing to do with installing the sound card drivers.

Usually uneconomc to replace the FBT, a new monitor is usually cheaper.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much for your reply. I was hoping it was a driver
problem Last night it shut off and wouldn't come back on. I turned it
on this morning and it did come on, but was still making that icky
crackling noise when first turning on. I guess time for a new monitor.
Of course it dies 4 months out of its warranty :(

Thanks again for your help.
 
Dave wrote:
Sounds like your high voltage power supply is faulty (one of 2 power
supplies inside the CRT monitor). No, the soundcard drivers wouldn't have
caused that. All CRT monitors will fail in a similar fashion, eventually.
If it's what I think it is, it is definitely not worth fixing. The cost of
repair will greatly exceed the cost of a decent 19" LCD monitor to replace
the CRT. -Dave
Click to expand...

Thanks, Dave. It's pretty sad when a monitor only lasts 2 1/2 years,
although my 17" Sony has been running strong for about 8 years
(knocking on wood).
My prescription:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824163129&ATT=24-163-129&CMP=OTC-Froogle
Click to expand...

Wow, that looks like a really nice monitor. I wonder if local stores
would carry this brand. Will definitely check it out.
 
The cost of labor makes a repair uneconomical, but if this isn't the
flyback transformer (FBT), then it may be just a bad solder joint or
capacitor. No monitor I've found in the trash had anything worse wrong
with it. See if you can get another one for almost nothing from
Craigslist.com because many people don't want to pay disposal fees on
old CRT monitors.
Click to expand...

Excellent idea, thanks!
 
Paul said:
If you want to try a simple test, reduce the resolution setting
of the monitor. And/or the refresh rate. These affect the horizontal
and vertical frequencies.
Click to expand...

It's at 1024 x 768 now and refresh is 75 hertz. I'll change them to
see what happens.
I had a monitor where the flyback was arcing over. I tried to
clean it up as best I could, but it didn't help. One thing that
did help, and stopped the arcing, was to change from 1280x1024
resolution, to the next resolution down. That was enough to
reduce the stress on the high voltage, and stop the arcing.

The arcing happen on mine, when I left the house to get
lunch at a burger joint. There was a lightning storm while
I was away (and I left the monitor running), and when I got
back, the monitor was arcing about every 30 minutes or so.

I continued to run it at reduced resolution for several
years, until eventually I got an LCD to replace it. The
monitor is still usable if I need a second monitor.
Click to expand...

So this arcing isn't dangerous? I'm kind of nervous to leave it on if
I leave the house.

As for the sound, you should compare the degaussing sound
to the noise you are hearing, just so you can distinguish
whether it is the same sound or a different sound. A
degaussing circuit could also break, and could be defective.
Mine sounded like it had a relay in it, as there was
a distinctive "click" at the end of the cycle. It is a
different sound than arcing would make.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Paul, I'll try to determine the sound. So far today it hasn't
made the degausing sound but it did crackle when I turned it on. The
crackle noise sounds like it's coming from the back portion of the
monitor.
 
I have a 19" CRT monitor and am running WinXP Pro. All of the sudden
today my monitor is degausing itself. It clicks on and off like it
would if you press the degaus button. It is also making a weird sound,
for lack of a better word. Kind of like a clicking sound when the
monitor first turns on. The only thing I"ve done differently is I
installed updated drivers for my Creative Audigy soundcard last night.
Does anyone have any idea if this is a hardware problem with the
monitor, or is it possible the sound card driver update messed
something up. I have a GeForce 5900 Ultra graphics card, running 5673
driver that installed when I installed Windows. Would updating my
graphics driver help?
Also wanted to mention that the screen kept getting smaller and larger,
like when an electrical load is pulling power.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...


What have you set the refresh and screen sizes to? If you do not have the
actual INF (driver) for the monitor, you COULD be overdriving it. It sounds
more like what Dave has said, barring a loose or damaged power cable. Don't
play inside the monitor! VERY DANGEROUS if you start poking around with
screwdrivers. That being said a LOOK around the insides for loose cables may
be in order. UNPLUGGED and left for 24 hours before you do so, and even then
there is residual power left.
 
Dave wrote:
Sounds like your high voltage power supply is faulty (one of 2 power

Thanks, Dave. It's pretty sad when a monitor only lasts 2 1/2 years,
although my 17" Sony has been running strong for about 8 years
(knocking on wood).


Wow, that looks like a really nice monitor. I wonder if local stores
would carry this brand. Will definitely check it out.
Click to expand...

I'm running a 21" Panasonic CRT that came from an Intergraph
workstation. It was a freebie from a Gov. upgrade back in 2002. It was
in use since 1995. It's max resolution is only 1024x768 60Hz, but
that's perfect for me. I do notice that it seems to be "dimming" a
bit, so I'm guessing it's on it's way out. Unfortunately, unless I can
find a cheaply priced 19", or 21" CRT, I'll have to settle for a
cheaply priced 17" LCD. Which means it will probably have "ghosting"
problems when playing games.
 
Dave said:
Sounds like your high voltage power supply is faulty (one of 2 power
supplies inside the CRT monitor). No, the soundcard drivers wouldn't have
caused that. All CRT monitors will fail in a similar fashion, eventually.
Click to expand...

Mine died slowly and quietly. It took longer and longer for the
screen to come on (sometimes up to two hours). Then one day it didn't
come on at all, may it rest in peace.

A flat panel replaced it. They are becoming very reasonable in price
now.
 
Thanks, Dave. It's pretty sad when a monitor only lasts 2 1/2 years,
although my 17" Sony has been running strong for about 8 years
(knocking on wood).
Click to expand...

Sony CRTs tend to beat all the competition by a wide margin.
Unfortunately Sony seems to have abandoned CRTs.
 
JAD said:
What have you set the refresh and screen sizes to? If you do not have the
actual INF (driver) for the monitor, you COULD be overdriving it. It sounds
more like what Dave has said, barring a loose or damaged power cable. Don't
play inside the monitor! VERY DANGEROUS if you start poking around with
screwdrivers. That being said a LOOK around the insides for loose cables may
be in order. UNPLUGGED and left for 24 hours before you do so, and even then
there is residual power left.
Click to expand...

I would never attempt to go inside this thing. Way too afraid. I have
the screen size set at 768 x 1280 and refresh at 72 hertz. I did try
another monitor power cord but didn't make a difference. Interesting,
I got a message from my Nvdia program saying not enough power to the
graphics card. I opened up my case but the power connector for the
card was plugged in. I even tried another connector off my power
supply just to be sure. Still having the same problem. As to the
monitor driver, it's a Windows driver for plug and play monitor. I
can't find a driver specifically for this monitor, a Logisys X910.
 
I would never attempt to go inside this thing. Way too afraid. I have
the screen size set at 768 x 1280 and refresh at 72 hertz. I did try
another monitor power cord but didn't make a difference. Interesting,
I got a message from my Nvdia program saying not enough power to the
graphics card. I opened up my case but the power connector for the
card was plugged in. I even tried another connector off my power
supply just to be sure. Still having the same problem.
Click to expand...

sounds like the power supply in the computer is not up to the job any longer

As to the
 
I'm running a 21" Panasonic CRT that came from an Intergraph
workstation. It was a freebie from a Gov. upgrade back in 2002. It was
in use since 1995. It's max resolution is only 1024x768 60Hz, but
that's perfect for me. I do notice that it seems to be "dimming" a
bit, so I'm guessing it's on it's way out. Unfortunately, unless I can
find a cheaply priced 19", or 21" CRT, I'll have to settle for a
cheaply priced 17" LCD. Which means it will probably have "ghosting"
problems when playing games.
Click to expand...

You are speaking like it's still 2001, man. 17" LCD monitors are obsolete,
in the sense that any good one will be just as expensive as a similar 19".
Also, you would be extremely unlucky to buy any LCD monitor in 2006 that has
ghosting problems at all. -Dave
 
DaveW said:
Unfortunately your CRT is dying.
Click to expand...

The symptoms indicate nothing wrong with the CRT but a problem
elsewhere in the monitor. What makes you think it's the CRT?
 
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