no red? (in Off-topic)

For some reason, my monitor is no longer displays the colour red. I can still see all shades of blue and green, and anything that was completely red is now black. Any ideas?

Welcome to buying a new one.

There are three color elements in CRT monitors. Red, green, and either yellow or blue (I forget). It sounds like the red element has gone out on your monitor. This is not that uncommon with older monitors, and some can be temporarily quick-fixed by either pressing the right spot, or light-to-medium tapping/slapping the right spot. For the majority of monitors made in the last 5 or so years, it is an easy task to replace the element if a replacement piece can be found. Call around at local repair shops for computer monitors (sometimes television repair shops can help also) to find out if they can work on your monitor.

Yeah, the monitor's about four years old, so I guess that's the problem... ha, you know, I think the warranty just expired a couple months ago. They build 'em like that, don't they :/

Almost forgot, unless you are used to working inside television/CRTs, do not attempt to replace the element yourself. Even unplugged, there is a *lot* of voltage stored inside of the monitor, and this can persist over hours (I've even heard stories of it lasting a few days). I've had the unfortunate experience of shocking myself inside a CRT, and let me tell you, it's an experience that I *NEVER* want to repeat (I almost killed the idiot who thought it was funny to throw a ball at my back while I was working on the CRT).

lol, found the problem - I should have checked this first - the cable into the computer was loose. I did check through all the possible software problems though!

/me hides in the corner...

(and I would never try to fix electronics, as I would probably burn the house down)

Good show Maelstrom, and four year CRT monitors are not worth fixing.

/me blinks at MrWuss.

Err, I disagree with you there MrWuss. Some of the smaller 4-year-old monitors might not be worth it, but when I can spend $49 to repair a 23" 4-year-old monitor, I find that very much worth it.

Mrwuss: a good monitor has a much longer lifetime than a PC; I would say a monitor could last 3 PCs. That is, if you actually did budget for a monitor, instead of "forgetting" about it, and ending up with the cheapest attempt at a screen you can find.

Professional monitors do have separate cables for Red, Blue and Green (RGB). Always fun is to swap those cables on a coworker's monitor ;)

For normal monitors, with a single cable, the RGB information is also sent over separate pins. One of the first things you could test is (if the cable is detachable) to get a replacement cable and see if that helps. If the cable is not detachable, then at least inspect the connector for bent pins.

I have the same problem you do, but I don't have the disposable income to blow on a worthwhile replacement. If you don't use your computer for gaming purposes, you could use that one for a while and save up for a suitable replacement.

Correct, if you spend the amount required for a GOOD quality monitor then it might be worth fixing.


Let me clearify,

If you got your monitor with your computer as a package, or bought it from wal-mart or another "we sell for less" store, then chunk it as it probably costs more to repair then going out and buying the same unit again, or finding something on ebay.

I went away from CRT to a true flat screen that is not plasma.

Which reminds me, if you want sharp colors and lines, do not ponder getting a plasma as a computer monitor. Go with LCD or wait for the new technology to be released. I am not up to speed, but it has a much longer lifetime than plasma, sharper picture and half the cost.

you see shades?