CRT monitor repair DIY Part -2
Yesterday we took out the PCB and today we will look at it for problems. The problem in our monitor was showing of random color tint and to solve this problem, re-soldering all the components was enough. So I will recommend anyone to first check for dry solder joints. If any of the main color like Red, Green or Blue is permanently missing then you need to replace the base (big white thing with lots of wholes) with a new one. If there is still any problem then driver IC (with heat sink) may also need replacement.
Time to do some work! Switch off all the fan and AC so that solder becomes quit hot for re-soldering job. Use flux (soldering paste) if required. I use it every time as we don’t get very good quality soldering wires easily here. After the re-soldering job, it’s good to clean the solder side of the PCB using old toothbrush and pure petrol (no addictive / oil mixed).
After doing re-soldering job, it’s time to put everything back. Place the PCB on the picture tube socket and plug all the wires that were attached to it. Solder the ground wires and put the protective casing back. Once again look at everything and make sure that wires are soldered to their respective points. Put the cover back, connect the monitor to computer and switch it on. As predicted, the problem was solved in our monitor and it was working perfect!
Some people will ask that why we did all this and why not just junked this old 15” monitor which is not even a standard now and purchased a TFT? Answer is to save earth! Yes, throwing electronics items and if it was not disposed off properly is hazardous as it causes lead poisoning for our echo-system. Even after this monitor is completely dead and becomes obsolete, what we do is use its components for repairing other electronic items!!
December 6th, 2008 at 9:23 am
i have a problem with my CRT, the display seems to flicker, the color is okay… my CRT display and then flickers to total black.. and sometimes the size of the display changes to default… can this thing be fix?…
December 6th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Jose it can be your video card problem as well. Just hook your monitor to some other PC and check. In case the monitor still show the same problem, you need to send your monitor to authorized service center for repair as the problem is related to memory chip inside monitor which stores the monitor settings. This chip needs replacement to solve the problem.
April 7th, 2009 at 9:20 am
Yes, some nice info, I don’t necessarily agree with everything. One thing I do agree on: it is better to keep electronic things working a little longer to save our planet.
I wouldn’t re-solder all wires and/or components, I think sometimes you can create dry joints that way – I’d rather inspect the solder side of the board using a magnifying glass to try to find the dry joint.
I don’t have as much experience as you have, but I’m not sure how likely it is for the tube base socket to give a problem, unless if wear is clearly visible. How about putting a needle between the plastic (or is it ceramic) and the little metal sockets, trying to “crimp” those metal sockets somewhat?
April 7th, 2009 at 9:35 am
Hey Chris, thanks for your valuable comment. Regarding that base socket, it is very notorious and sometimes I have seen new base giving problem. Crimping works but only for some time and problem appears again, so its better to replace the base to avoid future touble. Base don’t cost much either.
July 14th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Hi, I have right next to me an old 14″ CRT monitor with a little problem. It starts working fine but, after a while all the screen goes blue or red, or completely black. The weird part is that if you actually give the monitor a small punch, the screen returns to normal for a few minutes. Applying what you have shown in this guide could fix it? I have about four different CRT monitors with different problems here. It would be great if you could expand this guide in the future. Thanks.