My Monitor has joined the Dark Side (tech help)

[GokuZool]

I've noticed that my computer monitor is darker than it was when I bought it a few years ago. Brightness and Contrast are maxed out and yet the screen is still really dark e.g. on my screen the IW brown background is pretty much black. Is it possible to fix the monitor or do I have to buy a new one?

Thanks, [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 01-09-2004, 07:07 PM: Message edited by: GokuZool ]

[skywalker]

A TV repair shop may be able to improve the picture. From what I know, they maybe able to brighten it by making the contrast a little less sharp. Of course, you may have a bad tube and then you'd have to buy a new one, of course.

Mark

[Night Stalker]

If the CRT is tanked and you get a new one, DO NOT max out your brightness and contrast!! Fastest way to burn out a tube.

Your vid card should have some color adjustment screen so you can tweek the R-G-B and intensity signals individuallly. See if that helps.

But your goal should be 50% on all setting with MINOR tweeks for taste.

[Ghoul]

Have you ever cleaned the screen?

Seriously, do you have software like PowerStrip installed? With it you can adjust the gamma to make the screen brighter. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Intrepid]

Originally posted by Night Stalker: If the CRT is tanked and you get a new one, DO NOT max out your brightness and contrast!! Fastest way to burn out a tube. Your vid card should have some color adjustment screen so you can tweek the R-G-B and intensity signals individuallly. See if that helps. But your goal should be 50% on all setting with MINOR tweeks for taste.

I allways turn contrast up to max then turn brightness down, that provides the best quality picture and best colour definition and my moniter has lasted for years, with excelent colours.

I Personally i would reccoment buying a new moniter, considering the price of a repair, time and possible replacment parts for a little extra you could get a new moniter (assuming you but a CRT).

[ 01-14-2004, 10:47 AM: Message edited by: Intrepid ]

[Paladin2000]

It is a known fact that old monitors (or TV) to loose their brightness over prolonged used. There are two possibilities:

1. The Brightness knob has worn out or some of the electronic circuits are showing signs of wear and tear.

2. The picture tube has worn out.

Bring it to the repair shop. If it is case #1, fix it. Not a biggie.

If it is case #2... save up your money for a new one. Unless there is a way to replace your worn out picture tube, but most workshops would not do that because it is such a hassle and the it wouldn't be cost effective as compared to a new monitor.

[ 01-14-2004, 11:14 AM: Message edited by: Paladin2000 ]

[harleyquinn]

I know this may sound funny, but I had a friend with a similar problem, when they looked inside his monitor, it was REALLY dirty in there. After cleaning it, the monitor worked fine again.

[Night Stalker]

I wouldn't recomend opening up the CRT if you aren't trained to work with electronics. A CRT can build a potential of 50000+ V and discharge it in a high amperage burst, even if it's been "off" and "unplugged" for a "long time". That's more than enough to deliver a painful or even deadly shock.

[GokuZool]

Thanks for the advice! [img]smile.gif[/img] (Especially from Night Stalker! )

[Intrepid]

Originally posted by Night Stalker: I wouldn't recomend opening up the CRT if you aren't trained to work with electronics. A CRT can build a potential of 50000+ V and discharge it in a high amperage burst, even if it's been "off" and "unplugged" for a "long time". That's more than enough to deliver a painful or even deadly shock.

I can vouch for that from first hand experience, twice in fact. Although they were old moniters i was moving and it was through the bottom of the case onto my sweaty electrolyte hands. It hurt but obviously not an extremly high charge.