Suddenly, a few weeks ago, the color red disappeared from my monitor. I mean, I was playing Tombraider (or looking up porn, I don’t remember which), and, pow, it was gone. I fiddled with all the cables (that’s the extent to which I mess with my computer and it’s innards. Just fiddle with the cables).
Anyway, the color red won’t come back, and it’s pissing me off. I’ve called several computer repair guys, and they all keep telling me to buy a new monitor. I can’t afford a new monitor. Well, I could probably afford one, but damn it, do I really have to buy a new monitor just because of the color red? What the hell should I do? Is it possible to repair it without replacing the whole damn thing?
I apologize if this is in the wrong forum. I’m just a punk newbie.
Sounds to me like your monitor’s red gun is broken. (No kidding, Smeghead. Really??) AFAIK, that’s fairly major. I doubt you could get it repaired for less than the cost of a new monitor.
It might be the monitor, but it could also be the video card. Or even the monitor cable, if the cable is detachable (not permanently connected to the monitor). I suggest you borrow a monitor, connect it to the PC and see if it works. Or borrow a computer (a laptop is OK) and see if your monitor works with that. And pray it’s the cable.
I think smeg is right. You may have to get a new one. But how is it that you can’t afford one? Go to one of those computer flea markets, and see if you can find one there.
Also, look in ads for used ones. It is highly unlikely any of those monitors will have similar problems as yours does; the seller has a reputation to maintain. Or try www.ebay.com or www.egghead.com, or your other favorite auction site, to see if you can get one cheap.
(like scr4 said) Borrow a monitor. If the monitor works the same it’s your video card. If it’s the video card those are easily replaced.
If you find out that it’s the monitor, get a new one.
Monitors in general are not repairable creatures, at least to the effect that if you do have it repaired it may cost you as much, if not more, than if you were to buy a new one. Newer ones do have better clarity and color.
'Sides, don’t you just want that 19" that you saw at the computer store the other day?
Have you tried shaking it a little? Sometimes that seems to get the color back temporarily, but you will still probably need a new one. The old monmitors my HS had would be green when they were first turned on, but if you smacked them they would start working.
You guys must use some awfully expensive repairers. My local monitor doctor is happy to work on a standard rate of $80 for VGA and super VGA monitors, which is less than half the cost of a new one in Australia.
But he does have conditions. All work attracts a $25 inspection fee, which is absorbed in the total cost of repairs. His flat rate of $80 does not apply if the tube is knackered, or if the triplicator circuitry is faulty. Apparently there are a couple of very expensive components involved.
In those cases he makes it clear that the cost of repairs will exceed the value of the unit. However, he also maintains a small stock of reconditioned monitors which are usually priced at (you guessed it) $80 each.
“You guys must use some awfully expensive repairers. My local monitor doctor is happy to work on a standard rate of $80 for VGA and super VGA monitors, which is less than half the cost of a new one in Australia.”
In Jakarta I never had to spend more than $10 to get a monitor fixed. Unfortunately, I eventually ran into problems that couldn’t be fixed (no charge for the assessment.) Now I have begun buying monitors that were “high end” two years ago for about one fourth their new price from a US vendor which “recertifies” them and sells them with a 90-day guarantee. So far so good.
