VGA monitor is very dark

QCassidy352 · Nov 21, 2003

I just hooked up an old CRT to my 12" powerbook. It works, but the screen on the external is very very dark. So dark that if I cannot make it better I'll have to throw the thing out.

Yes, the brightness and contrast are set to brightest. I've fiddled with all the controls in monitor prefs. as much as possible.

I got this monitor for free from my college (which didn't want it anymore), so perhaps that should tell me something. I'm assuming that this monitor is just dying and there's nothing to do. But before I just toss it, I thought I'd see if anyone had any ideas.

edit: also worth noting that windows on the external seem to curve in towards the center. Not sure if that's a factor or not.

MoparShaha · Nov 21, 2003

Are you adjusting the brightness with the monitor controls? Adjusting the brightness in the PB prefs will do nothing. It sounds like you should go through all the on-screen menus in the monitor and thoroughly re-adjust everything.

QCassidy352 · Nov 21, 2003

I can't find any on-screen menus, but I have turned the physical brightness knob on the bottom of the monitor all the way up.

thehuncamunca · Nov 21, 2003

have you checked the mointer on another computer? could be that it is about to pouch and doesn't work well regardless of the computer used

crazzyeddie · Nov 21, 2003

When monitors die that usually happens.. the screen just gets darker and darker.

Nermal · Nov 22, 2003

CRTs get darker and darker with age. The fact that you've got physical knobs rather than a menu interface means that it's pretty old (5+ years) and it'll simply be very dark with age.

I had a CRT for 6 years, and by the 5th year I had to use software brightness to push it up higher than normal. That distorted the colour and made everything look a browny-white. I eventually ditched the thing and got a nice new one for NZ$395. I see that exact same model is $235 now.

Dreadnought · Nov 22, 2003

A friend of mine had it with his G3 Imac when he bought. The screen was to dark. He returned it to the store and they opened it and tweaked the hardware controls meters a bit. Every monitor or tv has this inside. You can try to open your monitor and with a small screwdriver you can adjust it!

jtown · Nov 23, 2003

You got what you paid for. If you adjusted knobs, that monitor must be nearly 10 years old. Or older. I just tried to find a monitor in the parts closet with analog knobs to see when it was manufactured but they're all digital. And some date back to 1996. Time to crack open the wallet and grab the $99 special at Best Buy.

Thirteenva · Nov 23, 2003

Had this happen a couple times when i started up my powerbook with the crt plugged in.

my work around was to unplug the crt, restart the powerbook, then when fully booted plug in the monitor then do "detect displays"

Always worked for me.

For some reason starting the powerbook up with the display plugged in screwed up the monitors settings.

jtown · Nov 23, 2003

Originally posted by Thirteenva
For some reason starting the powerbook up with the display plugged in screwed up the monitors settings.

Judging by its apparent age, I don't think his monitor has settings to mess up.

aldo · Nov 23, 2003

Yup, Time for a new one methinks

. CRTs are dirt cheap now, as everyone wants a TFT. However, I suggest buying it from a physical store (BestBuy etc if you live in the states) as shipping costs a bomb on those things.

QCassidy352 · Nov 23, 2003

ok ok, i get it. thanks guys. that monitor is gone now.

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VGA monitor is very dark

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