I have a 2-year-old Compaq monitor on which, over the last few weeks, the picture on the screen would dim then brighten - not quite flickering, but close.
This happened only a few times.
Then a week ago, it did it quite a bit; then the screen went black and the power light went off.

I called Compaq only to be told this was a software incompatibility problem with Windows ME.
The monitor came with the computer, which we've had for two years, so I don't buy the sudden incompatibility theory! (They wanted to sell me a warranty just to talk to tech support!)

Furthermore - my son hooked up our old Packard Bell monitor to the Compaq computer and it works fine.
He hooked up the Compaq monitor to the old PB computer and - nothing, not even the power light.
Which further convinces me it's a hardware problem.

Anyway - do any of you know if that sounds like the tube, a fuse - or what?
And do you know if it would be better to get it fixed or buy a new monitor?

Thanks for any and all advice!

Howdy:

Sounds like either the high voltage supply in the monitor went (controls the horizontal). You can get them fixed, but you would be better off to replace as cost of repair is quite high.

Murray

I agree with Murray -- this is certainly not a software problem. That the power light does not come on indicates that the internal fuse has blown, although it is not the cause of the problem.

This typically occurs when a short develops in (1) a power supply capacitor; (2) the horizontal output transistor (HOT); or (3) the flyback tranformer. Occasionally (2a) a component associated with the horizontal fails and causes the HOT to draw excessive currrent, blowing the fuse. The initial intermittent symptoms suggests case (2a).

If any snapping or arcing sounds were noted, a flyback tranformer or (4) picture tube (CRT) problem is extremely likely.

Cases (1) and (2) are usually worth fixing, but replacing the flyback or CRT may not be reasonable in terms of cost.

Now I have a good bit more to go on.
Thanks!