CRT Puzzler, strange behavior, help needed

[wndrful]

I have NEC multisync FP912SB monitor that exhibits strange behavior. I
wanted to get feedback if it is worth repairing/fixing it.I already
have a new monitor and I was planning on giving this old one to
charity if it can be fixed easily. Thanks

1. Few minutes after the computer goes into sleep mode, the monitor
starts making clicking sounds. The screen still stays blank.

2. When I start my computer, it doesn't turn on, but keeps making the
clicking sound.

3. However, it works if I follow the following steps:
a. disconnect VGA connector, keep monitor powered on
b. start the computer
c. wait for a second and then connect VGA connector
then it works like a charm. If I wait more than a second before
connecting the VGA connector then it doesn't work. It just keeps
clicking.

Any suggestions would be helpful. I hope it is a simple fix. Thanks.

 

[mc]

I think your computer is set to a scan speed that the monitor doesn't
support very well. The monitor apparently can produce a picture, but
doesn't recognize it as valid input -- except during the moments when the
computer is turning on and goes into plain VGA mode for a moment.

Right-click on your Windows desktop, go to Properties, Settings, Advanced,
Monitor, and change the refresh rate.

 

[wndrful]

I think your computer is set to a scan speed that the monitor doesn't
support very well. The monitor apparently can produce a picture, but
doesn't recognize it as valid input -- except during the moments when the
computer is turning on and goes into plain VGA mode for a moment.

Right-click on your Windows desktop, go to Properties, Settings, Advanced,
Monitor, and change the refresh rate.

Hmm... it is the other way around. After I wait a second and connect,
then monitor comes on and is able to display at higher refresh rates.
I believe I was running it at 1400x1050 at 70Hz and it runs fine at
that refresh rate.
It doesnt work if it is connected right from the beginning

 

[Michael Kennedy]

Hmm... it is the other way around. After I wait a second and connect,
then monitor comes on and is able to display at higher refresh rates.
I believe I was running it at 1400x1050 at 70Hz and it runs fine at
that refresh rate.
It doesnt work if it is connected right from the beginning

How big is this monitor 32"?? 1400x1050 is a rather high resolution and an
unusual one too. You should try a lower resolution like 1024x768 and see if
it works properly. I don't think even my 19" Viewsonic would like a
resolution that high with a high refresh. That and the text would be almost
impossible to read.

Mike

 

[wndrful]

How big is this monitor 32"?? 1400x1050 is a rather high resolution and an
unusual one too. You should try a lower resolution like 1024x768 and see if
it works properly. I don't think even my 19" Viewsonic would like a
resolution that high with a high refresh. That and the text would be almost
impossible to read.

Mike

How does that matter? Monitor works fine for the resolution, it is
very sharp and I am comfortable with it. It can support higher
resolutions and refresh rates as well. As said earlier, it works well
on high resolution. That does not seem to be the issue. Actually
somewhere somehow it might be getting too low a refresh rate.
Anyways, I am going to call couple of crt repair shops (if they are
around) and get their two cents.

 

[PeterD]

Hmm... it is the other way around. After I wait a second and connect,
then monitor comes on and is able to display at higher refresh rates.
I believe I was running it at 1400x1050 at 70Hz and it runs fine at
that refresh rate.
It doesnt work if it is connected right from the beginning

Re-read MC's post, do as he suggests... Reset your resolution and/or
scan rate to a lower value and see what happens.

 

[PeterD]

Hmm... it is the other way around. After I wait a second and connect,
then monitor comes on and is able to display at higher refresh rates.
I believe I was running it at 1400x1050 at 70Hz and it runs fine at
that refresh rate.
It doesnt work if it is connected right from the beginning

Also, resolutions supported by this monitor:

1024 x 768
1152 x 870
1280 x 1024
1600 x 1200
1792 x 1344
1800 x 1440
1856 x 1392
1920 x 1440

No where in that list do I see 1400x1050. Again, set to a resolution
that the monitor supports and it probably will work properly.

 

[mc]

How does that matter? Monitor works fine for the resolution, it is

very sharp and I am comfortable with it. It can support higher
resolutions and refresh rates as well. As said earlier, it works well
on high resolution. That does not seem to be the issue. Actually
somewhere somehow it might be getting too low a refresh rate.
Anyways, I am going to call couple of crt repair shops (if they are
around) and get their two cents.

During bootup, the video mode is the original VGA one (640 x 480, 60 Hz).
If that's what's causing your monitor to switch off, then you might see if
there's a BIOS setting to change it.

But the real problem is probably that something in your monitor that is
sensitive to the refresh rate, such as a voltage in the HV section, is
slightly out of specification and the monitor no longer supports all the
modes it's supposed to.

 

[mc]

One other thought. Does the monitor have a microprocessor in it? It may
have auto-adjusted itself (as best it can) for the display settings you're
using, and wound up adjusting itself in a way that is incompatible with the
640x480x60Hz boot-up mode.

 

[wndrful]

One other thought. Does the monitor have a microprocessor in it? It may
have auto-adjusted itself (as best it can) for the display settings you're
using, and wound up adjusting itself in a way that is incompatible with the
640x480x60Hz boot-up mode.

Thanks guys. The resolutions I used to use were 1280x1024 and
1600x1200. I had installed the NEC drivers and they were allowing me
to set all these resolutions.

mc, thanks for your suggestions. I will check if I can change my BIOS
settings and then see if that helps.
How is it is to tune (by a professional) the voltage in HV section?

 

[wndrful]

More info:

I got out the monitor, hooked it to my laptop and restarted it with
usual unplug-plug technique.
The resolution was set to 1600x1200. Now to the interesting stuff:

Computer is on, display is fine and I pull the connector and connect
it back.
Display goes blank and I start hearing click -click.
Now,
I remove the connector again and with the connector out, I power cycle
the monitor.
I hear a click, degaussing sound, and after that I connect the cable.
Voila! the display is working!

Another observation, I keep the monitor on for a while, it is nice and
warm. I try to repeat the connect-disconnect and the monitor is
working fine. No click-click. So there is some issue with the cold-
start as well.

The plot thickens...