Can flat screen monitors be repaired?

[Clipper]

Are flat screen monitors a throw away item if they cease to function?

Last night we had a thunder storm. At one point, our lights dimmed and the power almost went off, but didn't. The cable and internet went down for a few minutes, but came right back on. My computer is fine, the surge protector didn't kick off, but the monitor would not come back on after I rebooted the computer when the internet connection was restored.

I am going to purchase a new surge protector today, just in case the one I have is defective.

My question is this. Does a monitor have any safety link inside of it, such as a CB radio does, to prevent a surge from damaging the major components, or does a monitor simply fry at the first indication of a power surge, and require replacement? Does a flat screen monitor have any components inside that can be replaced or repaired or is it just junk at this point?

[firstamendment]

In this day and age, it seems everything is throw away. I am not sure if those monitors have any kind of circuit protection like a fuse, circuit breaker, fusable link, etc. Does the power light come on at all on the monitor?

[Clipper]

No, the power light doesn't come on at all. I am back to working with the 15 inch monitor that came with the computer, haha. Hell of a thing for a half blind old fart that is used to at least a 17 inch screen. I have to sit a little closer to the desk to read the print with this monitor, ROFL

Well, I was thinking about getting a 21 inch before fall, so I guess I better start putting a couple bucks away now and then to go with the bigger screen. I won't charge such items as a monitor or "nice to haves." I simply put away money until I can buy them.

Thanks for the reply FA.

[pops69]

The biggest problem with flat screen TVs and monitors is paper / foil capacitors. There is usually about 4-6 of them in a row on the main board. Look for a cylinder about 1/4 " in dia. x 1/2 " hi. Kind of a bluish / purple color. They look like a 1/2 " piece of blue crayon with the paper torn off. Look to see if the top is flat or domed up. Flat is good, domed is bad. If you know how to solder, you can change these yourself ( buy at Radio Shack or on line ) or take the whole monitor to a TV repair shop and show them the caps. This is a big prob with flat screens so check them closely.

[Clipper]

Thanks so much Pops69. I will check it out with a local TV person. I paid damn good money for that monitor, and hate to simply trash it and buy another one, although I DO want a bigger screen before winter rolls back around and I am on the computer almost all day, haha.

[JGRobinson]

Clipper, it does have a fuse, IDK if its user changeable, could a be fuseable semiconductor which will be hard to id and is soldered in. Im not sure how hard it is to get apart but could be worth checking. If its got an external power supply, check the out put or have someone with a meter check it for you.

One of the only way to protect against brown outs and fluctuations is a UPS, they make smaller ones pretty inexpensive. Wont run long but long enough to shut things down and most are power conditione3rs as well.

[Clipper]

Thanks JR. I will check that out tomorrow. I have been looking online at new larger monitors and it looks like I can get an ACER 21 or 22 inch monitor for only about $129. I guess I won't be bankrupt if I have to buy a new one, haha. I know one thing. This little 15 inch monitor that came with the computer sucks, hahaha.

[chris]

First thing I would do is run a troubleshoot on it. (unplug the cables etc from scratch) To rule out any possiblities other than the monitor itself.

[Clipper]

It's junk. I found a small hole in the back of the case where one inspects the condition of the fusible link. MY FUSIBLE LINK IS NO LONGER FUSED, ROFL!

Talked to a local repair person today and I can buy a 19 inch Acer monitor from him for $129 and he will recycle the old one. It would be $50 to repair the old one.

[JGRobinson]

Time for Taps

[Clipper]

That's for sure JR. No sense in paying for bench time to change the link and when I can get a new and larger monitor for only $129.

Thanks for all the info and advice everyone. It is appreciated for sure.

[Clipper]

Go figure. I had wiggled the plugs, unplugged and reconnected both cords, check both ends of the power cord to insure that they were securely plugged in, and the damn monitor would not light up or come on at all.

Today I thought well let me try this thing one more time before I take it to be recycled. The damned thing lit up and is working fine. WTH.Glad I didn't just toss it without trying it again. All I did was stick a jeweler's screw driver in the little inspection hole in the back to see if that fusible link was broken or loose. Whatever I did poking around aimlessly in there reset something and saved me 129 bucks for a new monitor. lol

[chris]

Good news for you Clipper. Can I borrow that screw driver to start my car. ;D Reminds me of my old phone; every once in awhile the signal got kicked out. Usually I would give it a rest and then it came back on just as a last check to before I would head out to go buy a new one. I had to go through all the motions of unplugging the thing from the wall, remove the battery, disconnect my answering machine..blah bla blah. the good thing was it did not disconnect my Internet service so if I needed to use the phone I would just connect my cheapy phone to the phone outlet. Just recently I replaced the phone with a new one that has phone and answering machine in one. Works great except I can't hear a lot of calls. I'm always saying what, what, what........I'm not deaf but they probably think I'm getting deaf. (and getting annoyed with me for having to repeat everything)

[Clipper]

I sympathize with your car problems Chris. It DOES sound like it might be a neutral safety switch. The damn cars now have such complicated systems that it is hard to say. My truck has a key on the fob with the remote, but the only thing it does is unlock the drivers side door, which by the way is the only door with a keyhole anymore. My truck starts with by placing the end of the remote key fob into a rectangular hole in the dash. That is where the ignition switch is located. The end of the remote has that rectangular plastic end, with a couple of copper contacts embedded in it and that is what activates the ignition functions. Nothing simple anymore. Kathy's van has a regular key, but it has a computer chip embedded in it, and the car will only run for a few seconds with any key cut to fit the ignition switch, but without the electronic chip embedded. I have no idea how the hell that works. She has a spare key that came with the car, but it is for opening doors only. It will start the car but you can't drive with it and the car will shut back off if you try to put it in gear.

They have made us slaves of dealers and shops. No backyard stuff anymore other than an oil change or something simple.

[JGRobinson]

Hey, thats no fair, hows a guy gonna make a buck off this?!