NationStates Jolt Archive

Specifically, my monitor. I've been noticing off and on now for the past few days that it has been flickering, as if it was being turned off and back on, only super fast. It's a CRT (NEC MultiSync XV17+ if that means anything) that's about ten years old, so I'm wondering if it might be dying, as right now I can't afford to buy a new monitor. So, what I'm wondering is if this is actually something to worry about, if I could do something myself to fix it, or what have you.

EDIT: Well, now the problem has been taken care of--see thread for details--but now I am looking for recommendations for a new LCD monitor. What I'm looking for should be quality, but as cheap as possible while having a quality monitor.

10 year old monitor? That means your computer is probably just as old. Don't bother buying a monitor solo, save up about $300-400 and buy a new cheap system.

This may seem stupid, but make sure the plug is securely in.

10 year old monitor? That means your computer is probably just as old. Don't bother buying a monitor solo, save up about $300-400 and buy a new cheap system.

Uh...no. Actually, I've just been using this monitor for various systems. My computer is new as of September. Built it myself. I could start listing the specs if you'd like, but let's just say when it runs Oblivion on ultra-high settings and a virus scan at the same time, it doesn't even blink.

Kryozerkia: It already was securely plugged in, apparently.

Have you tried throwing it down a cliff?

my best advice is to find a freecycle (http://www.freecycle.org/) group in your area and email them that you need a monitor, someone almost always has one they aren't using and it may not be about to die like yours is.

Specifically, my monitor. I've been noticing off and on now for the past few days that it has been flickering, as if it was being turned off and back on, only super fast. It's a CRT (NEC MultiSync XV17+ if that means anything) that's about ten years old, so I'm wondering if it might be dying, as right now I can't afford to buy a new monitor. So, what I'm wondering is if this is actually something to worry about, if I could do something myself to fix it, or what have you.
... is it on a desk?
is there a lamp, radio, or any other electrical device nearby?
is that lamp, radio or device turned on now?

... is it on a desk?
is there a lamp, radio, or any other electrical device nearby?
is that lamp, radio or device turned on now?

Yes, yes, and yes. That electrical device being my speakers.

...come to think of it, I didn't notice it occuring until I started using my speakers again after my headset broke. That just might be it.

Smunkee: That is some nice advice that I'll keep in mind for future consideration.

That sounds exactly like what my old CRT did right before it died. I have no clue why it happens, or advice on how to fix it. All I can tell you is that with mine, when it started it was only occasionally (say a couple time a month), and only after being on for extended periods of time. At its worst, it was every day, and started after being on for about half an hour. Then one day it flat out stopped working.

Whatever it is, I hope you have better luck with yours than I had with mine.

Check the refresh-rate hasn't dropped down to 60Hz.

To do this, assuming you're in XP:
Right click desktop, select properties. Click the Settings tab. Click the Advanced button. Click the Monitor tab. If the "Screen refresh rate" combo reads "60 Hertz" change it to a higher number, ideally 85 or better.

You may need to uncheck the "Hide modes that this monitor cannot display", box or lower your screen resolution to increase the refresh rate.

Other versions of Windows are similar. Linux? Buggered if I know; try sacrificing a goat and praying to Loki.
Apologies if this sounds patronising but I don't know what you know, and I'm going to bed now so best to include everything ;)

Yes, yes, and yes. That electrical device being my speakers.

...come to think of it, I didn't notice it occuring until I started using my speakers again after my headset broke. That just might be it.

Smunkee: That is some nice advice that I'll keep in mind for future consideration.

older monitors are not sheilded from other electrical sources. try move your speakers away from the monitors or turn them off.

Uh...no. Actually, I've just been using this monitor for various systems. My computer is new as of September. Built it myself. I could start listing the specs if you'd like, but let's just say when it runs Oblivion on ultra-high settings and a virus scan at the same time, it doesn't even blink.
I can vouch for this. I remember the thread were he bragged about what he was purchasing.
Other versions of Windows are similar. Linux? Buggered if I know; try sacrificing a goat and praying to Loki.
Apologies if this sounds patronising but I don't know what you know, and I'm going to bed now so best to include everything ;)
He's a Win man. Like he said, Oblivion. Besides, it is easy enough to on Linux that you shouldn't need instructions. Unless you are pro and want to hard code the setting into your X config file...

Uh...no. Actually, I've just been using this monitor for various systems. My computer is new as of September.
The monitor can't refresh itself as quick as the computer wants it to, probably.
Get a new monitor and stop being a pansy.

Yes, yes, and yes. That electrical device being my speakers.

...come to think of it, I didn't notice it occuring until I started using my speakers again after my headset broke. That just might be it.

Smunkee: That is some nice advice that I'll keep in mind for future consideration.
There probably be the problem ... changing proximity and sometimes the refresh rate of the monitor can make a difference

Like in my old office I knew there was some wiring behind the wall changing the refresh from 70 to 65 cured it for me ...

There probably be the problem ... changing proximity and sometimes the refresh rate of the monitor can make a difference

Like in my old office I knew there was some wiring behind the wall changing the refresh from 70 to 65 cured it for me ...

Yeah, I moved my speakers as far from my monitor as I could and it's happening a lot less now. I may change the refresh rate if it keeps bugging me though.

Pantless: I plan on it as soon as I can afford it. At the moment I'm jobless and thus have to save what I've got.

Specifically, my monitor. I've been noticing off and on now for the past few days that it has been flickering, as if it was being turned off and back on, only super fast. It's a CRT (NEC MultiSync XV17+ if that means anything) that's about ten years old, so I'm wondering if it might be dying, as right now I can't afford to buy a new monitor. So, what I'm wondering is if this is actually something to worry about, if I could do something myself to fix it, or what have you.

CRT? What's that? Isn't it a brand of boat anchor?

Cathode ray tube. As opposed to LCD, or liquid crystal display.

Opposed to LSD? So it's some kind of drug?

CRT? What's that? Isn't it a brand of boat anchor?

Cathode ray tube. As opposed to LCD, or liquid crystal display.

Opposed to LSD? So it's some kind of drug?

Uh...no.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathode_ray_tube

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid_crystal_display

Yeah, I moved my speakers as far from my monitor as I could and it's happening a lot less now. I may change the refresh rate if it keeps bugging me though.

Pantless: I plan on it as soon as I can afford it. At the moment I'm jobless and thus have to save what I've got.
try putting some thick books between your speakers and your monitor. a couple of text books on each side. you want to block as much magnetic energy as you can.

and if you decide to get rid of the monitor, can you disconnect the power cable? I think I have someone looking for that type of cable.

try putting some thick books between your speakers and your monitor. a couple of text books on each side. you want to block as much magnetic energy as you can.

and if you decide to get rid of the monitor, can you disconnect the power cable? I think I have someone looking for that type of cable.

I don't recall any CRTs having a disconnected video cable.

I don't recall any CRTs having a disconnected video cable.

... thought I said power cable... :confused:

... thought I said power cable... :confused:

I pretended you said video cable. The newer ones have disconnectable power cables, the older ones don't.

I pretended you said video cable. The newer ones have disconnectable power cables, the older ones don't.

depends on the brand, and a 10 yr old monitor would have a seperate power cable.

I don't recall any CRTs having a disconnected video cable.

There's a downside to them (an extra connector, carrying an analog signal) but I think it's worth it for being able to swap out a damaged cable, or use one of different length to what came with the monitor. Also if you're moving the monitor, there isn't a cable dangling off it.

Anyway, it's those speakers causing the trouble, huh? They should be well away from the monitor 'cos the magnetism isn't good.

EDIT: Is it safe to use LSD and liquid crystal at the same time? 8-]

try putting some thick books between your speakers and your monitor. a couple of text books on each side. you want to block as much magnetic energy as you can.

and if you decide to get rid of the monitor, can you disconnect the power cable? I think I have someone looking for that type of cable.
Well, it's technically not my monitor--it's the family's--so I'd probably just give it back to them if its still working once I switch to an LCD, but sure, if I can, I'll give it to you.

Pantless: This one has a detachable power cable.

EDIT: Is it safe to use LSD and liquid crystal at the same time? 8-]

Maybe, just don't try to take the LCD and watch the LSD.

try putting some thick books between your speakers and your monitor. a couple of text books on each side. you want to block as much magnetic energy as you can.

Does that actually work? Thing is, I can't think of any reason it should, any better than an air gap of the same width.

A layer of conductive material would block EMF (though not static magnetism) but books aren't very conductive.
What's more, I think the OP would have identified the source of the problem almost instantly if the flickering got worse when the sound was louder. Meaning it's the static magnetism of the speakers, not the electromagnetism of the speaker coils, causing the problem. And you can't block magnetism (Faraday shielding blocks the electrical part of EMF, stopping it, but a static magnetic field is different and IIRC can't be blocked at all.)

Sorry to contradict you when you're trying to help, but the OP seems to be taking the idea seriously.

Does that actually work? Thing is, I can't think of any reason it should, any better than an air gap of the same width.

A layer of conductive material would block EMF (though not static magnetism) but books aren't very conductive.
What's more, I think the OP would have identified the source of the problem almost instantly if the flickering got worse when the sound was louder. Meaning it's the static magnetism of the speakers, not the electromagnetism of the speaker coils, causing the problem. And you can't block magnetism (Faraday shielding blocks the electrical part of EMF, stopping it, but a static magnetic field is different and IIRC can't be blocked at all.)

Sorry to contradict you when you're trying to help, but the OP seems to be taking the idea seriously.
So what should I do, then, since it's the static magnetism causing the problem?

Does that actually work? Thing is, I can't think of any reason it should, any better than an air gap of the same width.

A layer of conductive material would block EMF (though not static magnetism) but books aren't very conductive.
What's more, I think the OP would have identified the source of the problem almost instantly if the flickering got worse when the sound was louder. Meaning it's the static magnetism of the speakers, not the electromagnetism of the speaker coils, causing the problem. And you can't block magnetism (Faraday shielding blocks the electrical part of EMF, stopping it, but a static magnetic field is different and IIRC can't be blocked at all.)

Sorry to contradict you when you're trying to help, but the OP seems to be taking the idea seriously.

not necessarily. it's the presence of that field that's doing it. it will slowly degrade the monitor untill *poof*.

moving the speaker away helped somewhat, so you need to put up some form of sheilding. now I am assuming that Kyronea cannot get some lead lined containers to put the speakers in so you need something. and if anything, the books will dampen it. if you want, try some cookie sheets inside the book.

I wonder if the static guard used to ship computer parts would work?

so try the books, if can move the speakers farther away... like say under the desk but pointing at you, then do so.

just get as many electrical feilds as far away as possible.

not necessarily. it's the presence of that field that's doing it. it will slowly degrade the monitor untill *poof*.

moving the speaker away helped somewhat, so you need to put up some form of sheilding. now I am assuming that Kyronea cannot get some lead lined containers to put the speakers in so you need something. and if anything, the books will dampen it. if you want, try some cookie sheets inside the book.

I wonder if the static guard used to ship computer parts would work?

so try the books, if can move the speakers farther away... like say under the desk but pointing at you, then do so.

just get as many electrical feilds as far away as possible.

Would this be a worry with newer monitors, like an LCD one? I've been thinking about nabbing one off of NewEgg for some time(and if anyone can suggest a quality one for a cheap price on there, I'm open to it) and may yet in the future, so I thought I'd go ahead and ask just in case this might be a problem.

Would this be a worry with newer monitors, like an LCD one? I've been thinking about nabbing one off of NewEgg for some time(and if anyone can suggest a quality one for a cheap price on there, I'm open to it) and may yet in the future, so I thought I'd go ahead and ask just in case this might be a problem.

newer monitors should be ok. but as electronics get more powerful...

newer monitors should be ok. but as electronics get more powerful...

Well, the only things electronic I have near my monitor other than the speakers are the computer itself and my alarm clock on the bed next to the desk, so I'm not worried about having multiple pieces of electronic equipment around it. Thanks, then.

So what should I do, then, since it's the static magnetism causing the problem?

You could get a nice pair of headphones. :)

Just get the speakers as far as convenient from the monitor. The problem probably drops off quite rapidly (a few inches) but if they're really big speakers (hi-fi speakers for instance, 6" or bigger) they'll cast a larger field.

I had two monitors which interfered with each other (CRTs of course, and yes flickering, also sway) and I tried building a shield between them. It helped a bit, but the real breakthrough came when I swapped them around. Right beside each other, both fine. I think one (older NEC) has better internal shielding and doesn't mind the HT coil of the other one being so nearby.

The only relevance of that to your situation is that one side of the monitor might be more sensitive than the other.

Would this be a worry with newer monitors, like an LCD one?
<snip>
It may come as a relief to some to hear I have absolutely no idea.

When LCD's get even bigger and even cheaper, I'll nip out and buy a second-hand 27" CRT. I think I'm addicted to the radiation ;)

You could get a nice pair of headphones. :)

Just get the speakers as far as convenient from the monitor. The problem probably drops off quite rapidly (a few inches) but if they're really big speakers (hi-fi speakers for instance, 6" or bigger) they'll cast a larger field.

I had two monitors which interfered with each other (CRTs of course, and yes flickering, also sway) and I tried building a shield between them. It helped a bit, but the real breakthrough came when I swapped them around. Right beside each other, both fine. I think one (older NEC) has better internal shielding and doesn't mind the HT coil of the other one being so nearby.

The only relevance of that to your situation is that one side of the monitor might be more sensitive than the other.

I had a lovely USB headset. Unfortunately, due to the fact that the only USB ports are on the front of my computer and I sit all of about a foot--if that--away from it, the cord tangled up in itself and eventually snapped from just simple head movements. I'm a little wary to plop down another thirty bucks for one thanks to that. Still, I may yet do it again if I can find a way to keep the cord from destroying itself.

As for these, they're tiny speakers. Old ones too--I think they came with a computer I recieved as a Christmas present back in 1998. (Audio Works SP-691H if that means anything.)

I apologize for double posting but I decided to go ahead and use this thread for the purpose mentioned in the edit in the original post above, since it made no sense to make another thread for the same basic thing.

I apologize for double posting but I decided to go ahead and use this thread for the purpose mentioned in the edit in the original post above, since it made no sense to make another thread for the same basic thing.
...
ok. what limitations do you have... budget? space? envy threshold of your friends and family?

...
ok. what limitations do you have... budget? space? envy threshold of your friends and family?

No envy threshold or real space limitation, but I do have an upper limit of 200 dollars budget wise. I don't want to radically spend money. I'm just looking for a quality LCD monitor for various purposes for a good price. Preferably buyable from NewEgg, because I love that site.

A Dell whateverisinyourbudget.

NewEgg (http://www.newegg.com/ProductSort/SubCategory.asp?SubCategory=20&name=LCD-Monitors)
can't really say for monitors, I'm not too picky and of the brands they have, I've only heard of Veiwsonics and Samsung, but didn't hear anything about them in particular... so I'll leave this up to others here.

NewEgg (http://www.newegg.com/ProductSort/SubCategory.asp?SubCategory=20&name=LCD-Monitors)
can't really say for monitors, I'm not too picky and of the brands they have, I've only heard of Veiwsonics and Samsung, but didn't hear anything about them in particular... so I'll leave this up to others here.
Yes, I'm pouring through it now. I'm attracted to this one (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824005045) but it's at the upper limit of my price range so I'm not too sure about it. Plus it has touch sensitive buttons, and I hate those.

This one (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824001072) on the other hand looks more reasonable, and is a little cheaper. Currently looking through the reviews to see if there are any typical problems.

And then there's this Acer monitor (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824009088). I've never had any problems with Acer monitors in the past and this is twenty dollars less than the Samsung. Reviews look good thus far too.

Well, after much contemplation and checking with other sources, I've decided on the Acer monitor. Thank you those who suggested monitors.