LCD Desktop Monitor Fading to White, then Black

[Mike Tomlinson]

In article <ac15e6c5-a222-4cdb-a450-475b3d0a2e98@s29g2000yqd.googlegroup
s.com>, saber850 <saber850@yahoo.com> writes

As I mentioned in the OP, when the monitor is malfunctioning, I have
swapped the DVI cables between the monitors. When doing so, the
malfunctioning monitor continues to malfunction while the other
monitor (the one which has never malfunctioned) continues to function
properly. So from this, I believe the computer & video card are
functioning properly. Am I making a valid assessment here?

Yes. Sensible, logical fault-finding.

Is the PSU typically isolated from other circuitry in the monitor such
that it can be replaced?

It depends on the specific monitor. Some have an external PSU brick, if
yours are those then try swapping them over. If the PSU is internal it
will probably be on its own board which can be removed and swapped out.

How old is the monitor?

--
(\__/)
(='.'=) Bunny's thinking about giving Windows 7
(")_(") a go despite what he's said about it...

 

[saber850]

On May 2, 11:46 am, "David" <some...@somewhere.com> wrote:

saber850 <saber...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:2468c376-1884-4039-af3a-55c41cedb3c6@k29g2000yqh.googlegroups.com...
Hi,

My LCD desktop monitor has been exhibiting a problem
for over 1 year.
It is out of warranty and I would like to fix it.

The problem is that the monitor displays the picture,
and then
gradually fades to white, and then gradually fades to
black.

The monitor does not exhibit the problem all the time.
It comes and
goes. I do not have a procedure which triggers the
problem; it seems
to be random. Sometimes it will behave this way for
only a few
minutes, while other times it will behave like this
for weeks.

I do not do anything to trigger the problem, other
than have the
monitor powered on.

I have two of these monitors. I bought both monitors
at the same time.
Both monitors are connected to the same video card
(nVidia) via a DVI
connection.  Only one of the monitors exhibits the
problem--the other
continues to function properly.  When the monitor
exhibits the
problem, I can swap the DVI cables and the other
monitor continues to
function properly. So I do not believe the problem is
my video card or
computer.

I do not know of a method to get the monitor out of
this problem
state. I've tried cycling the power to the monitor,
and I've tried
rebooting the computer. Neither method fixes the
problem. The only
thing I can do is wait for it to fix itself. But
eventually, it
malfunctions again.

A video of the problem occurring is available here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7YpFZVRjcE

Best regards,
Nick

Does this monitor have buttons on the front to control
brightness? Could one of those be stuck or shorted?

David

It has buttons on the front, but not to control the brightness or
contrast directly--those are available a couple levels deep in the
menu. When the problem returns, I will try adjusting the brightness &
contrast via the monitor to see what happens.

 

[saber850]

On May 2, 8:13 pm, Mike Tomlinson <m...@jasper.org.uk> wrote:

In article <2468c376-1884-4039-af3a-55c41cedb...@k29g2000yqh.googlegroup
s.com>, saber850 <saber...@yahoo.com> writes

The problem is that the monitor displays the picture, and then
gradually fades to white, and then gradually fades to black.

Erk.  That video you put on Youtube is kinda creepy!  Are you sure it's
not demonic possession?

I don't think it's a backlight problem.  It looks more like a contrast
issue.  I have a similar Samsung monitor (SyncMaster 2343 widescreen)
with touch controls and It looks like yours has those too.  In your
situation, the first thing I would do is whip the back off and
disconnect the touch control board from the main board and see if the
problem stops.  I'm wondering if a "button" is stuck.

Then I'd probably move to gently heating some of the chips, particularly
those on the back of the LCD panel, with a hairdryer to see if the fault
is temperature-related.

I know you say you want to try and fix it, but if it's a panel fault,
the monitor's fit only for scrap.

--
(\__/)  
(='.'=)  Bunny's thinking about giving Windows 7
(")_(")  a go despite what he's said about it...

Yeah, I was also a bit disturbed by the video when the picture's color
inverts. I've changed my background so if I capture another video of
the malfunctioning problem, it won't contain a person.

If the problem were related to a "stuck" or "sticking" button on the
face of the monitor, I'd expect the problem to exist all the time, or
at least after I use the buttons. But neither is the case for me.
The problem will start at a seemingly random time, and stop after a
seemingly equally random duration. In particular, I rarely use the
monitor's buttons except for power.

I was also thinking about applying heat to the back of the monitor to
see if that triggers the problem. If that triggers it, does that
suggest a cold solder joint?

Thanks for the info about the worth of the panel.

 

[saber850]

On May 2, 5:14 pm, Jamie
<jamie_ka1lpa_not_valid_after_ka1l...@charter.net> wrote:

hr(bob) hofm...@att.net wrote:
On May 2, 9:22 am, saber850 <saber...@yahoo.com> wrote:

On May 2, 9:40 am, Meat Plow <mhyw...@yahoo.com> wrote:

On Sun, 2 May 2010 08:21:04 +0100, "N_Cook" <dive...@tcp.co.uk>wrote:

saber850 <saber...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:2468c376-1884-4039-af3a-55c41cedb3c6@k29g2000yqh.googlegroups.com...

Hi,

My LCD desktop monitor has been exhibiting a problem for over 1 year..
It is out of warranty and I would like to fix it.

The problem is that the monitor displays the picture, and then
gradually fades to white, and then gradually fades to black.

The monitor does not exhibit the problem all the time. It comes and
goes. I do not have a procedure which triggers the problem; it seems
to be random. Sometimes it will behave this way for only a few
minutes, while other times it will behave like this for weeks.

I do not do anything to trigger the problem, other than have the
monitor powered on.

I have two of these monitors. I bought both monitors at the same time.
Both monitors are connected to the same video card (nVidia) via a DVI
connection.  Only one of the monitors exhibits the problem--the other
continues to function properly.  When the monitor exhibits the
problem, I can swap the DVI cables and the other monitor continues to
function properly. So I do not believe the problem is my video card or
computer.

I do not know of a method to get the monitor out of this problem
state. I've tried cycling the power to the monitor, and I've tried
rebooting the computer. Neither method fixes the problem. The only
thing I can do is wait for it to fix itself. But eventually, it
malfunctions again.

A video of the problem occurring is available here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7YpFZVRjcE

Best regards,
Nick

Can you observe discrete jumps in the fade, ie stepped.
Is it a backlight problem? if so perhaps find the brightness control line to
the inverter and break there and add your own subcircuit perhaps. First
monitor that line as maybe a fault inside the inverter chip

What brand/model monitor?
What brand/model card with NVidia chip?

Does the monitor have a DSUB I/O?
Does the video card have a DSUB I/O

The symptoms don't describe an inverter problem to me
but rather an LCD matrix drive, possibley PSU derived.

Both monitors are a Samsung SyncMaster 204B.
The video card is a ASUS EN7600GT.

The monitors have 1 DSUB I/O port and 1 VGA I/O port.  I've only ever
used the DSUB I/O.
The video card has two DSUB I/O ports.  Each one is connected to a
monitor.

As I mentioned in the OP, when the monitor is malfunctioning, I have
swapped the DVI cables between the monitors.  When doing so, the
malfunctioning monitor continues to malfunction while the other
monitor (the one which has never malfunctioned) continues to function
properly.  So from this, I believe the computer & video card are
functioning properly. Am I making a valid assessment here?

Is the PSU typically isolated from other circuitry in the monitor such
that it can be replaced?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I don't have any suggestions, but it is definitely Not the backlight.
With a fading backlight the picture would just get darker and darker,
there would be no video reversal such as shown in the video.

Are you connected to a Laptop ? is power saving kicking in an option
available in your LCD if the battery is getting low?
  Maybe we went over that already, I'm too tired to look back.

No, this is one of my desktop monitors, and my desktop is not
configured to sleep or hibernate. The second monitor which is
connected to the same video card continues to function properly while
the other malfunctions. So I don't think it's a problem of effect of
the video card or computer.

 

[saber850]

On May 2, 12:32 pm, Sjouke Burry <burrynulnulf...@ppllaanneett.nnll>
wrote:

saber850 wrote:
On May 2, 3:21 am, "N_Cook" <dive...@tcp.co.uk> wrote:
saber850 <saber...@yahoo.com> wrote in message

news:2468c376-1884-4039-af3a-55c41cedb3c6@k29g2000yqh.googlegroups.com....

Hi,
My LCD desktop monitor has been exhibiting a problem for over 1 year.
It is out of warranty and I would like to fix it.
The problem is that the monitor displays the picture, and then
gradually fades to white, and then gradually fades to black.
The monitor does not exhibit the problem all the time. It comes and
goes. I do not have a procedure which triggers the problem; it seems
to be random. Sometimes it will behave this way for only a few
minutes, while other times it will behave like this for weeks.
I do not do anything to trigger the problem, other than have the
monitor powered on.
I have two of these monitors. I bought both monitors at the same time..
Both monitors are connected to the same video card (nVidia) via a DVI
connection.  Only one of the monitors exhibits the problem--the other
continues to function properly.  When the monitor exhibits the
problem, I can swap the DVI cables and the other monitor continues to
function properly. So I do not believe the problem is my video card or
computer.
I do not know of a method to get the monitor out of this problem
state. I've tried cycling the power to the monitor, and I've tried
rebooting the computer. Neither method fixes the problem. The only
thing I can do is wait for it to fix itself. But eventually, it
malfunctions again.
A video of the problem occurring is available here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7YpFZVRjcE
Best regards,
Nick
Can you observe discrete jumps in the fade, ie stepped.
Is it a backlight problem? if so perhaps find the brightness control line to
the inverter and break there and add your own subcircuit perhaps. First
monitor that line as maybe a fault inside the inverter chip

--
Diverse Devices, Southampton, England
electronic hints and repair briefs , schematics/manuals list onhttp://diverse.4mg.com/index.htm

Thanks for the quick response.  I do not observe discrete jumps in the
fading--it seems very smooth to me.

I do not know if it is a backlight problem; how can I tell?

If it is the backlight, you can still see a picture in strong
ambient light, try different viewing angles and light angles.
If you can still sortof see a picture, it is the backlight.
The slow fade suggests the invertor,or its powersupply circuit.

If it is the invertor or the power supply circuit, would either be
worth repairing/replacing instead of replacing the entire monitor? Is
there any part of an LCD monitor whose expense would not justify its
replacement, and to simply replace the monitor as a whole?

 

[saber850]

On May 2, 5:10 pm, Jeff Liebermann <je...@cruzio.com> wrote:

On Sun, 2 May 2010 07:22:40 -0700 (PDT), saber850 <saber...@yahoo.com
wrote:

Both monitors are a Samsung SyncMaster 204B.

Thank you for supplying the maker and model number.

This might be of interest:
http://pavel.kirkovsky.com/2009/03/samsung-syncmaster-204b-repair/
http://www.djhome.net/tips/samsungsyncmaster204T.htm
I've seen both problems on the bench with similar Samsung models.  

My usual method is to replace *ALL* the large value electrolytic
capacitors.  The labour is less to do it at one time, than to spend
any time finding which one or two is the culprit.  Make sure you buy
105C or 125C replacement caps as the 85c variety don't last.  Larger
values and voltage ratings are fine, but watch out for package sizes
and lead spacing.

--
Jeff Liebermann     je...@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D    http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann     AE6KS    831-336-2558

This is great info; thanks. The website links you found refer to the
problem as "flickering". Is that the condition my monitor has, given
the video I posted?

 

[saber850]

On May 2, 8:17 pm, Mike Tomlinson <m...@jasper.org.uk> wrote:

In article <ac15e6c5-a222-4cdb-a450-475b3d0a2...@s29g2000yqd.googlegroup
s.com>, saber850 <saber...@yahoo.com> writes

As I mentioned in the OP, when the monitor is malfunctioning, I have
swapped the DVI cables between the monitors.  When doing so, the
malfunctioning monitor continues to malfunction while the other
monitor (the one which has never malfunctioned) continues to function
properly.  So from this, I believe the computer & video card are
functioning properly. Am I making a valid assessment here?

Yes.  Sensible, logical fault-finding.

Is the PSU typically isolated from other circuitry in the monitor such
that it can be replaced?

It depends on the specific monitor.  Some have an external PSU brick, if
yours are those then try swapping them over.  If the PSU is internal it
will probably be on its own board which can be removed and swapped out.

How old is the monitor?

--
(\__/)  
(='.'=)  Bunny's thinking about giving Windows 7
(")_(")  a go despite what he's said about it...

This monitor does not have an external PSU brick; so I assume the PSU
is internal. According to the following link, this monitor's power
supply and inverter boards are integrated into one unit (http://
pavel.kirkovsky.com/2009/03/samsung-syncmaster-204b-repair/).

I purchased the monitor new in 2007.

 

[Jeff Liebermann]

On Sun, 2 May 2010 17:53:14 -0700 (PDT), saber850 <saber850@yahoo.com>
wrote:

On May 2, 5:10 pm, Jeff Liebermann <je...@cruzio.com> wrote:

This might be of interest:
http://pavel.kirkovsky.com/2009/03/samsung-syncmaster-204b-repair/
http://www.djhome.net/tips/samsungsyncmaster204T.htm
I've seen both problems on the bench with similar Samsung models.  

This is great info; thanks. The website links you found refer to the
problem as "flickering". Is that the condition my monitor has, given
the video I posted?

No, it's not the same. What's probably happening is that as your
power supply warms up, the cazapitors are starting to also get hot. My
guess(tm) is that the power supply output voltages drop, causing the
odd changes to white and black. The symptoms of having the wrong
power supply voltage vary radically with the type of circuit and which
capacitors are a problem. I've seen flickering, fades, time delayed
sudden failure, smoke, fire, and most commonly, just plain no picture.
Given a specific single component failure, it's possible to predict
the symptoms. Given multiple partial failures, it's at best a guess.

Open up the monitor (it's a royal pain), replace all the big caps
whether they look bad or not, and live happily ever after. If you're
into being sure, I suggest you look into purchasing or building an ESR
(equivalent series resistance) meter, as you're guaranteed to run into
this problem in other devices that use electrolytics (motherboards,
TV's, power supplies, monitors, game boxes, router, etc). I use mine
far too often.

<http://www.ludens.cl/Electron/esr/esr.html>
<http://www.anatekcorp.com/blueesr.htm>
<http://www.flippers.com/esrktmtr.html> (I have this one)
<http://www.midwestdevices.com/index.html>

More good reading on LCD repair:
<http://www.ccl-la.com/blog/index.php/category/monitor-repair/>
Note how just about all the failures are electrolytic capacitors.
Here's your Syncmaster 204 page:
<http://www.ccl-la.com/blog/index.php/samsung-214t-repair/>
Note the they're symptoms include a "dark picture". Hmmmm...



--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

 

[Jeff Liebermann]

On Sun, 2 May 2010 17:58:59 -0700 (PDT), saber850 <saber850@yahoo.com>
wrote:

If it is the invertor or the power supply circuit, would either be
worth repairing/replacing instead of replacing the entire monitor? Is
there any part of an LCD monitor whose expense would not justify its
replacement, and to simply replace the monitor as a whole?

The Samsung SyncMonster 204/214 is all one big board. There are
replacement boards available on eBay but they tend to have the same
problem that you're trying to fix.

Sending the monitor to the recyclers for such a simple problem will
surely bring down upon your head the wrath of all repairmen,
ecologists, and toxic waste handlers. To maintain your karma, you
must at least make an attempt at repair.

Incidentally, having two identical monitors is a bad idea. Sympathetic
failure and contagious failure modes has been known to propagate
between the bad monitor and the good. I would keep them apart just to
be safe.

--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

 

[Mike Tomlinson]

In article <h9est5dts76ogd6n7fktt0rrk4o4a79iud@4ax.com>, Jeff Liebermann
<jeffl@cruzio.com> writes

Incidentally, having two identical monitors is a bad idea. Sympathetic
failure and contagious failure modes has been known to propagate
between the bad monitor and the good.

Yeah, I know. Just had two Iiyama 20" TFTs (used side by side with a
spanned desktop) fail on me. Expensive lesson.

--
(\__/)
(='.'=) Bunny's thinking about giving Windows 7
(")_(") a go despite what he's said about it...

 

[Mike Tomlinson]

In article <d4e144b2-9df6-4d9c-9ebb-9b5a1b3608c3@u7g2000vbq.googlegroups
..com>, saber850 <saber850@yahoo.com> writes

This monitor does not have an external PSU brick; so I assume the PSU
is internal. According to the following link, this monitor's power
supply and inverter boards are integrated into one unit

Don't think so. The photos in your link show that the power board is
separate. It would be unusual for the PSU and driver electronics to be
integrated into a single board. It's also obvious that it's been
designed down to the lowest price possible.

(http://
pavel.kirkovsky.com/2009/03/samsung-syncmaster-204b-repair/).

Ugh. The state of these caps. Samsung have skimped on the components
and their users are now paying the price. Bad form.

I purchased the monitor new in 2007.

I suggest as a first step you do what the link above suggests and
replace the few caps indicated, and see how it goes.

--
(\__/)
(='.'=) Bunny's thinking about giving Windows 7
(")_(") a go despite what he's said about it...

 

[Jeff Liebermann]

On Mon, 3 May 2010 05:34:56 +0100, Mike Tomlinson <mike@jasper.org.uk>
wrote:

In article <h9est5dts76ogd6n7fktt0rrk4o4a79iud@4ax.com>, Jeff Liebermann
jeffl@cruzio.com> writes

Incidentally, having two identical monitors is a bad idea. Sympathetic
failure and contagious failure modes has been known to propagate
between the bad monitor and the good.

Yeah, I know. Just had two Iiyama 20" TFTs (used side by side with a
spanned desktop) fail on me. Expensive lesson.

That might be a different problem. The warranty timer chip found in
most electronic devices may have been triggered. The manufacturer
sets the warranty countdown timer to induce a failure immediately
after the warranty expires. When the power supply blows up, and
produces a continuous clicking sound, I tell the customer that's the
warranty timer still running.
<http://pinktentacle.com/2010/01/secret-sony-timer-kills-products-after-warranty/>


--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

 

[N_Cook]

Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote in message
news:9edst5drns9dhhvmbonl5gds2v615pn9bm@4ax.com...

On Sun, 2 May 2010 17:53:14 -0700 (PDT), saber850 <saber850@yahoo.com
wrote:

On May 2, 5:10 pm, Jeff Liebermann <je...@cruzio.com> wrote:

This might be of interest:
http://pavel.kirkovsky.com/2009/03/samsung-syncmaster-204b-repair/
http://www.djhome.net/tips/samsungsyncmaster204T.htm
I've seen both problems on the bench with similar Samsung models.

This is great info; thanks. The website links you found refer to the
problem as "flickering". Is that the condition my monitor has, given
the video I posted?

No, it's not the same. What's probably happening is that as your
power supply warms up, the cazapitors are starting to also get hot. My
guess(tm) is that the power supply output voltages drop, causing the
odd changes to white and black. The symptoms of having the wrong
power supply voltage vary radically with the type of circuit and which
capacitors are a problem. I've seen flickering, fades, time delayed
sudden failure, smoke, fire, and most commonly, just plain no picture.
Given a specific single component failure, it's possible to predict
the symptoms. Given multiple partial failures, it's at best a guess.

Open up the monitor (it's a royal pain), replace all the big caps
whether they look bad or not, and live happily ever after. If you're
into being sure, I suggest you look into purchasing or building an ESR
(equivalent series resistance) meter, as you're guaranteed to run into
this problem in other devices that use electrolytics (motherboards,
TV's, power supplies, monitors, game boxes, router, etc). I use mine
far too often.

http://www.ludens.cl/Electron/esr/esr.html
http://www.anatekcorp.com/blueesr.htm
http://www.flippers.com/esrktmtr.html> (I have this one)
http://www.midwestdevices.com/index.html

More good reading on LCD repair:
http://www.ccl-la.com/blog/index.php/category/monitor-repair/
Note how just about all the failures are electrolytic capacitors.
Here's your Syncmaster 204 page:
http://www.ccl-la.com/blog/index.php/samsung-214t-repair/
Note the they're symptoms include a "dark picture". Hmmmm...



--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

Could placing a small 12V fan temporarily, at least, in that area be a
diagnostic tool ?

 

[William Sommerwerck]

Incidentally, having two identical monitors is a bad idea.
Sympathetic failure and contagious failure modes has been
known to propagate between the bad monitor and the good.
I would keep them apart just to be safe.

Uva uvam videndo varia fit, right?

 

[Meat Plow]

On Sun, 2 May 2010 07:22:40 -0700 (PDT), saber850
<saber850@yahoo.com>wrote:

On May 2, 9:40?am, Meat Plow <mhyw...@yahoo.com> wrote:
On Sun, 2 May 2010 08:21:04 +0100, "N_Cook" <dive...@tcp.co.uk>wrote:



saber850 <saber...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:2468c376-1884-4039-af3a-55c41cedb3c6@k29g2000yqh.googlegroups.com...
Hi,

My LCD desktop monitor has been exhibiting a problem for over 1 year.
It is out of warranty and I would like to fix it.

The problem is that the monitor displays the picture, and then
gradually fades to white, and then gradually fades to black.

The monitor does not exhibit the problem all the time. It comes and
goes. I do not have a procedure which triggers the problem; it seems
to be random. Sometimes it will behave this way for only a few
minutes, while other times it will behave like this for weeks.

I do not do anything to trigger the problem, other than have the
monitor powered on.

I have two of these monitors. I bought both monitors at the same time.
Both monitors are connected to the same video card (nVidia) via a DVI
connection. ?Only one of the monitors exhibits the problem--the other
continues to function properly. ?When the monitor exhibits the
problem, I can swap the DVI cables and the other monitor continues to
function properly. So I do not believe the problem is my video card or
computer.

I do not know of a method to get the monitor out of this problem
state. I've tried cycling the power to the monitor, and I've tried
rebooting the computer. Neither method fixes the problem. The only
thing I can do is wait for it to fix itself. But eventually, it
malfunctions again.

A video of the problem occurring is available here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7YpFZVRjcE

Best regards,
Nick

Can you observe discrete jumps in the fade, ie stepped.
Is it a backlight problem? if so perhaps find the brightness control line to
the inverter and break there and add your own subcircuit perhaps. First
monitor that line as maybe a fault inside the inverter chip

What brand/model monitor?
What brand/model card with NVidia chip?

Does the monitor have a DSUB I/O?
Does the video card have a DSUB I/O

The symptoms don't describe an inverter problem to me
but rather an LCD matrix drive, possibley PSU derived.

Both monitors are a Samsung SyncMaster 204B.
The video card is a ASUS EN7600GT.

The monitors have 1 DSUB I/O port and 1 VGA I/O port. I've only ever
used the DSUB I/O.
The video card has two DSUB I/O ports. Each one is connected to a
monitor.

As I mentioned in the OP, when the monitor is malfunctioning, I have
swapped the DVI cables between the monitors. When doing so, the
malfunctioning monitor continues to malfunction while the other
monitor (the one which has never malfunctioned) continues to function
properly. So from this, I believe the computer & video card are
functioning properly. Am I making a valid assessment here?

Is the PSU typically isolated from other circuitry in the monitor such
that it can be replaced?

The 7600 I looked at had only two DVI ports. What I was trying to get
at was trying the monitors on a DSUB port. But after reading a post
from PlainBill his solution is more plausible than mine although
buttressing my point of a video processing problem rather than a
backlighting issue. If you were losing back light you would still be
able to see the image by shining a light on the monitor at an oblique
angle

 

[Adrian C]

On 03/05/2010 03:50, Jeff Liebermann wrote:

Incidentally, having two identical monitors is a bad idea. Sympathetic
failure and contagious failure modes has been known to propagate
between the bad monitor and the good.

It's not only that. There is a grating feeling when two otherwise
identical items have one that shows signs of minor inferiority. It's a
sick child, something that is crying out for some attention.

Ye feel you should be doing something about the one that is failing, but
the affliction is so slight that technically it's not a worthwhile
process of either taking the cover off or approaching the service agent
with complaints.

However, that feeling is however a stress to be remembered and
eventually dealt with as with all the other stresses one unfortunately
collects.

Now, if you only had one of the item and that fault was so minor, you'd
probably be not so aware of the problem, and certainly not so aware of
the stress ...

Life is simpler. I'm going to disconnect one of my stereo speakers and
live with mono. ;-)

--
Adrian C

 

[saber850]

On May 2, 10:46 pm, Jeff Liebermann <je...@cruzio.com> wrote:

On Sun, 2 May 2010 17:53:14 -0700 (PDT), saber850 <saber...@yahoo.com
wrote:

On May 2, 5:10 pm, Jeff Liebermann <je...@cruzio.com> wrote:
This might be of interest:
http://pavel.kirkovsky.com/2009/03/samsung-syncmaster-204b-repair/
http://www.djhome.net/tips/samsungsyncmaster204T.htm
I've seen both problems on the bench with similar Samsung models.  
This is great info; thanks.  The website links you found refer to the
problem as "flickering".  Is that the condition my monitor has, given
the video I posted?

No, it's not the same.  What's probably happening is that as your
power supply warms up, the cazapitors are starting to also get hot. My
guess(tm) is that the power supply output voltages drop, causing the
odd changes to white and black.  The symptoms of having the wrong
power supply voltage vary radically with the type of circuit and which
capacitors are a problem.  I've seen flickering, fades, time delayed
sudden failure, smoke, fire, and most commonly, just plain no picture.
Given a specific single component failure, it's possible to predict
the symptoms.  Given multiple partial failures, it's at best a guess.

Open up the monitor (it's a royal pain), replace all the big caps
whether they look bad or not, and live happily ever after.  If you're
into being sure, I suggest you look into purchasing or building an ESR
(equivalent series resistance) meter, as you're guaranteed to run into
this problem in other devices that use electrolytics (motherboards,
TV's, power supplies, monitors, game boxes, router, etc).  I use mine
far too often.

http://www.ludens.cl/Electron/esr/esr.html
http://www.anatekcorp.com/blueesr.htm
http://www.flippers.com/esrktmtr.html> (I have this one)
http://www.midwestdevices.com/index.html

More good reading on LCD repair:
http://www.ccl-la.com/blog/index.php/category/monitor-repair/
Note how just about all the failures are electrolytic capacitors.
Here's your Syncmaster 204 page:
http://www.ccl-la.com/blog/index.php/samsung-214t-repair/
Note the they're symptoms include a "dark picture".  Hmmmm...

--
Jeff Liebermann     je...@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D    http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann     AE6KS    831-336-2558

Very helpful, thanks.

 

[saber850]

On May 2, 10:50 pm, Jeff Liebermann <je...@cruzio.com> wrote:

On Sun, 2 May 2010 17:58:59 -0700 (PDT), saber850 <saber...@yahoo.com
wrote:

If it is the invertor or the power supply circuit, would either be
worth repairing/replacing instead of replacing the entire monitor?  Is
there any part of an LCD monitor whose expense would not justify its
replacement, and to simply replace the monitor as a whole?

The Samsung SyncMonster 204/214 is all one big board.  There are
replacement boards available on eBay but they tend to have the same
problem that you're trying to fix.

Sending the monitor to the recyclers for such a simple problem will
surely bring down upon your head the wrath of all repairmen,
ecologists, and toxic waste handlers.  To maintain your karma, you
must at least make an attempt at repair.

Incidentally, having two identical monitors is a bad idea. Sympathetic
failure and contagious failure modes has been known to propagate
between the bad monitor and the good.  I would keep them apart just to
be safe.

--
Jeff Liebermann     je...@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D    http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann     AE6KS    831-336-2558

I'm all for repairing it, but I just want to make sure the repair is
cost effective. From the information I've received from this group,
and websites, it seems the repair will be very inexpensive if it's
just some capacitors.

Is there a way I can gain confidence that the problem is w/ the
capacitors, before opening it up?

 

[saber850]

On May 3, 4:01 am, "N_Cook" <dive...@tcp.co.uk> wrote:

Jeff Liebermann <je...@cruzio.com> wrote in message

news:9edst5drns9dhhvmbonl5gds2v615pn9bm@4ax.com...



On Sun, 2 May 2010 17:53:14 -0700 (PDT), saber850 <saber...@yahoo.com
wrote:

On May 2, 5:10 pm, Jeff Liebermann <je...@cruzio.com> wrote:

This might be of interest:
http://pavel.kirkovsky.com/2009/03/samsung-syncmaster-204b-repair/
http://www.djhome.net/tips/samsungsyncmaster204T.htm
I've seen both problems on the bench with similar Samsung models.

This is great info; thanks.  The website links you found refer to the
problem as "flickering".  Is that the condition my monitor has, given
the video I posted?

No, it's not the same.  What's probably happening is that as your
power supply warms up, the cazapitors are starting to also get hot. My
guess(tm) is that the power supply output voltages drop, causing the
odd changes to white and black.  The symptoms of having the wrong
power supply voltage vary radically with the type of circuit and which
capacitors are a problem.  I've seen flickering, fades, time delayed
sudden failure, smoke, fire, and most commonly, just plain no picture.
Given a specific single component failure, it's possible to predict
the symptoms.  Given multiple partial failures, it's at best a guess.

Open up the monitor (it's a royal pain), replace all the big caps
whether they look bad or not, and live happily ever after.  If you're
into being sure, I suggest you look into purchasing or building an ESR
(equivalent series resistance) meter, as you're guaranteed to run into
this problem in other devices that use electrolytics (motherboards,
TV's, power supplies, monitors, game boxes, router, etc).  I use mine
far too often.

http://www.ludens.cl/Electron/esr/esr.html
http://www.anatekcorp.com/blueesr.htm
http://www.flippers.com/esrktmtr.html> (I have this one)
http://www.midwestdevices.com/index.html

More good reading on LCD repair:
http://www.ccl-la.com/blog/index.php/category/monitor-repair/
Note how just about all the failures are electrolytic capacitors.
Here's your Syncmaster 204 page:
http://www.ccl-la.com/blog/index.php/samsung-214t-repair/
Note the they're symptoms include a "dark picture".  Hmmmm...

--
Jeff Liebermann     je...@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D    http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann     AE6KS    831-336-2558

Could placing a small 12V fan temporarily, at least, in that area be a
diagnostic tool ?

Yes, I considered this. Unfortunately, as I described, the problem is
very random. For example, it has not surfaced in over a week. So by
trying to cool it, I don't know if it's actually helping, or luck.
The same problem applies to the suggestions I've received to replace
the caps outlined on that website. While I'd be happy to do it, I
won't really know if it has helped for a couple months.

One thing I'd really like is to find a trigger for this problem. I
will try heat today. Is there a way to "stress" the monitor's
electronics, to try reproducing the issue? Would changing the image
rapidly have any effect? Should I display a solid color (perhaps
white) on it?

With a reasonably reliable repro procedure (even if it takes hours), I
can then get more info, and attempt to fix it, all while having some
confidence that my changes have either helped or not.

 

[Jeff Liebermann]

On Mon, 3 May 2010 04:37:58 -0700, "William Sommerwerck"
<grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> wrote:

Incidentally, having two identical monitors is a bad idea.
Sympathetic failure and contagious failure modes has been
known to propagate between the bad monitor and the good.
I would keep them apart just to be safe.

Uva uvam videndo varia fit, right?

<http://alkek.library.txstate.edu/swwc/ld/ldex081a1.html>
I don't think Samsung uses grape juice in their capacitors.

Monitor failures really are contagious. In about 2004, I purchased 9
almost identical Dell systems, all with E173FPF(?) LCD displays. They
worked just fine for 3 years, when they started failing. The ones
that were the warmest and powered on the longest failed first. Within
about 2 months, 6 had developed bad capacitor failure symptoms. What
I found amazing was there was one monitor that was left in the box for
about 2 years. It was used to replace the first monitor failure, and
promptly died about 6 months later. Apparently, they age in the box.
When asked by the owner what was happening, I joked that such failures
were contagious. Unfortunately, my explanation leaked all over the
company with predictable embarrassment. I had to write a company wide
memo explaining what was really happening, what I was doing to fix it,
and apologize for my bad joke. (However, I didn't promise not to do
it again).

--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558