# Repairing computer monitor -- Hazards? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 18, 2005, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repairing-computer-monitor-hazards/308824 "2005-06-18T17:35:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![wolfstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d6d6ee/32.png) [@wolfstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfstu)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2005, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repairing-computer-monitor-hazards/308824/1 "2005-06-18T17:35:47Z")
I just bought an old Macintosh computer at a yard sale. I haven’t tried it yet, but the seller says the monitor doesn’t work - the report is that it turns on, but won’t display anything. If it indeed is broken, I’m hoping it’s something simple like a loose wire or whatever inside. The thing has, reportedly, not been turned on for a few years. If I were to open it up, are there any dangers? Like, is there a big capacitor inside full of charges waiting to electrocute me? What should I watch out for? ---
**Author:** ![Rhubarb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/59ef9b/32.png) [@Rhubarb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhubarb)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2005, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repairing-computer-monitor-hazards/308824/2 "2005-06-18T17:53:39Z")
> [@](#): > > If I were to open it up, are there any dangers? Like, is there a big capacitor inside full of charges waiting to electrocute me? What should I watch out for? Yes there is. Someone else will have to come along to tell you where it is and what is is called (Paging **MacTech** ), but there is a whopper of a charge on the CRT. Until this charge is dissipated, you run a very high risk of getting knocked on your ass or worse. ---
**Author:** ![FyreFiend](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/919ad9/32.png) [@FyreFiend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FyreFiend)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2005, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repairing-computer-monitor-hazards/308824/3 "2005-06-18T17:59:12Z")
I’m not trying to be mean or anything but if you don’t know what you’re doing you should never poke around inside of a monitor. I know what I’m going and I got bit once, something that I never want to happen again. There were a few popular models of Apple monitors that had an under-rated fuse in them that would blow at the drop of a hat. Have someone **that knows what they’re doing** take a look at the fuse. ---
**Author:** ![Wearia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/13edae/32.png) [@Wearia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wearia)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2005, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repairing-computer-monitor-hazards/308824/4 "2005-06-18T18:11:24Z")
Monitors are dangerous to mess around in. Most places won’t bother with repairs on them because its cheaper and much safer just to get a new one. Do not go poking around in there. Its not going to be trial an error. Any error will result in an unwanted defribulation, like **Rhubarb** said theres a strong residual charge left even after long terms of non use. So mon ami, either keep it as a paperweight or get a professional to take a look at it. I had a monitor I wanted to fix up to a while back, luckily I was set straight. ---
**Author:** ![wolfstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d6d6ee/32.png) [@wolfstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfstu)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2005, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repairing-computer-monitor-hazards/308824/5 "2005-06-19T04:36:11Z")
Okay, thanks a lot for the tip. I guess I’ll just have to put this computer in storage until I com across an Apple monitor. - slumps shoulders \* ---
**Author:** ![Harmonix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Harmonix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonix)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2005, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repairing-computer-monitor-hazards/308824/6 "2005-06-19T11:15:45Z")
I believe there are adapters you can use to make an older mac work with standard PC monitors. ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2005, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repairing-computer-monitor-hazards/308824/7 "2005-06-21T08:17:43Z")
If you haven’t opened it, **DON’T!** If you have, well, see that suction cup like thing on the side of the CRT with the wire going to it? That’s 20,000 volts just waiting to kill you. Seriously. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2005, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repairing-computer-monitor-hazards/308824/8 "2005-06-21T12:53:19Z")
> [@wolfstu](#): > > If I were to open it up, are there any dangers? Like, is there a big capacitor inside full of charges waiting to electrocute me? What should I watch out for? A computer monitor is essentially a TV picture tube. Failure is frequently a dead of faulty fly-back transformer. Best advice: If you don’t know what your are doing…DON’T! If you insist on taking your life in your hands: SHORT OUT THE CRT FIRST. If you done understand that…DON’T! ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2005, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repairing-computer-monitor-hazards/308824/9 "2005-06-21T18:51:18Z")
As has been said, CRTs are not user-serviceable devices. And you can get an adapter to use a standard display. They’re cheap. Old Mac monitors still used a standard 15-pin VGA (or SVGA or whateverVGA) adapter, they just put the pins in the wrong place to be obstinate. ---
**Author:** ![DarrenS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@DarrenS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DarrenS)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2005, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repairing-computer-monitor-hazards/308824/10 "2005-06-22T00:44:09Z")
Relevant discussion, written by an electrical engineer: [http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade\_monitors.shtml](http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade_monitors.shtml) Another thread dealing with this subject: > **[Should my monitor be safe to take apart?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=292111)** > > Okay my curiosity gets the best of me sometimes. I’ve had a defunct montior sitting on my floor for the better part of a year doing absolutley nothing. I’ve heard tell that the capacitor in it can hold a charge for awhile, but exactly how long? In...