CRT monitor VGA data cable repair

MegaVovaN · 01-10-2008, 05:34 PM

Hi all!
I've got 2 similar ViewSonic 19" CRT monitors (model A90f+).

One, older monitor had it's cable damaged (n00bs pressed computer's back against the wall

) right at the blue plug. If I wiggle the cable screen goes various shades of purple (I still can read text, just colors are purple). I have to wiggle cable to specific position to make monitor show normal colors.

Second monitor is a newer revision of same model. It's cable is fine but sometimes it would only show bottom half of the screen :roll:

So what I was thinking is to take cable from newer monitor and put it in place of broken cable on old monitor. How do I approach this?
Can I somehow open monitor and unscrew cable there? Or maybe just cut both cables in half and solder all wires together? I hear there's a shield, so soldering them would mean there won't be shield in place of a cut...what should I do?

vailr · 01-10-2008, 06:08 PM

Replace the CRT with an LCD monitor.
Or: if the VGA cable uses a removable connector on the monitor end, just replace with a new VGA cable.
Otherwise, use a DVI cable connected to a new LCD monitor.

MegaVovaN · 01-10-2008, 06:23 PM

I don't want to spend money on an LCD.

I am gonna open the broken cable and see whats what.

0roo0roo · 01-10-2008, 08:00 PM

assuming u got the solder skills, its probably just like any other wire. solder away.

that being said, how do you know the cable is the problem on the newer monitor?

taking apart crts is semi dangerous as well...
if it were just the plug thats easy. but if its the end inside the monitor that might not be.

but as said, its not really worth it with lcds being so cheap.
power consumption of crt is rather hard to justify as well. never mind the eye strain

MegaVovaN · 01-10-2008, 08:33 PM

I am not going to fix newer monitor, I am just going to fix the cable on older one.

I am not using the CRTs and people that use them don't want to buy LCD. Besides power is included in rent, we can burn any reasonable amount and rent will not change.

So yep, I am going to put my mediocre soldering skillz to test sometime.

Just to clarify: neither monitor will be opened. Just the data cable cut & resoldered on older monitor.

edit: cable is definitely NOT the problem on newer monitor.

edit2:
cliffs:

older monitor = good monitor, bad cable
newer monitor = bad monitor, good cable

solution = fix cable on older monitor

Jiggz · 01-11-2008, 10:51 AM

You might as well open the old monitor and de-solder the old cable instead of cutting and slicing. Not only is it easier it is also better since it prevents interference if there is a splice on the cable. It's not that hard to do as you will find out as soon as you opened it. Make sure the monitor has been unplug for at least a long period and then using a screwdriver, short the prongs of the plugs together or with the round ground prong. As soon as it is opened and exposed, minimize contact with other parts of the monitor and make sure you short any wire you will be de-soldering (from VGA cable) to ground before touching it with the solder iron. Do this either with a jumper wire or even just a plain wire.

Zap · 01-11-2008, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: Jiggz
You might as well open the old monitor and de-solder the old cable instead of cutting and slicing.

MegaVovaN may luck out and find the cable socketed. That would be worth taking the back off the monitor just for a look-see without touching anything.

DISCLAIMER: Standard CRT precautions apply.

MegaVovaN · 01-11-2008, 01:02 PM

Alright I'll open the monitors later sometime...don't worry if anything happens, it's solely my responsibility.

Modelworks · 01-11-2008, 01:55 PM

yeah , as others said . you really need to open the monitor and de-solder the old cable.
If you just splice it on the outside , you'll likely get problems like text with a slight blur or outline, interference at high frequencies, etc.

MegaVovaN · 01-11-2008, 02:29 PM

Dang, parents don't want me to mess with it. Dad opened it before and says there is no socket, but like 20 leads to be de-soldered.

Jiggz · 01-11-2008, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: MegaVovaN
Dang, parents don't want me to mess with it. Dad opened it before and says there is no socket, but like 20 leads to be de-soldered.

Maybe 20 but a standard VGA cable only has 15 pins, so I'll say around 16 wires including the ground wire! Cutting and splicing is not much easier neither. So you might as well do it professionally.