Is this CRT monitor dying?

October 23, 2007 6:48 AM

My old, faithful, color-reliable, flat screen, CRT computer monitor sometimes starts making a strange, extremely high-pitched noise, which - while not ear-piercing, is annoying.

I used (and changed) many computer monitors in my career, and I tend to use them a lot, so I'm used to spot signs of malfunction early on, like the hum of a dying power transformer, or the extremely faint horizontal lines that usually precede a failing tube. This, however, is new to me.

An aside, supposing the monitor is leaving for good: how is the lcd monitor market now? Which are some recommendable alternatives (color fidelity has some importance, I am a graphic designer and I saw many bleak or too vivid LCDs out there) at the best q/p ratio?

posted by _dario to computers & internet (11 comments total)

I just recently traded my CRT monitor out for a LCD monitor myself, so far its has been a great improvement for me. No risk of image burn, loads more desk space, less of a dust collector etc. When I initially thought of buying a LCD monitor I was worried about image quality and depths of blacks and color, I had always heard the CRT while bigger had a much better picture quality. I can say I haven't been happier! My advice is to actually go to a local store, circuit city/best buy and compare monitors side by side that way you can see what you are getting for your money. Then you have the option of buying online (sometimes cheaper) or going ahead and picking it up and having it right away. But I wouldn't rely on just reading/comparing monitors online.
posted by Mardigan at 7:13 AM on October 23, 2007

It's the high tension coil. Usually runs around 15khz. Years ago the loudness of the coil was the sign of a dying monitor. I haven't had a CRT in a few years so I don't know any more.
posted by jdfan at 7:24 AM on October 23, 2007

Also keep in mind higher contrast ratio is better. You are most likely going to want something in the 3000:1 range. The lower the response time on the monitor the better. There are widescreen monitors 20-22 inch with 3000:1 contrast ratio + 2ms response time for around or less than 300 dollars. Now all you have to do it check the picture, monitor color, and choose whether you want a glossy finish on the screen.
posted by Mardigan at 7:28 AM on October 23, 2007

I had this problem on my last CRT. Popping the case and giving it a good blast of compressed air (Dust Off) helped once. Eventually I replaced with it an LCD, and haven't looked back.
posted by dws at 8:19 AM on October 23, 2007

It's the high tension coil.

Just in case anyone reading this thread gets confused by that terminology:

The flyback transformer, and associated components, that provide high voltage to the tube.

It could be the transformer, it could be the capacitors that are associated with it, or both. Either way, it's bound to fail soon. I'm not sure I would say imminent, but you should probably start shopping.

This would happen on my old CRT display whenever I would change to certain resolutions. It lasted a couple months after the noise started, before it failed.
posted by ArgentCorvid at 8:33 AM on October 23, 2007

I had a CRT that did the same thing for three years. It finally failed spectacularly with a pop and some actual smoke.
posted by Uncle Jimmy at 9:16 AM on October 23, 2007

Yup, thirding flyback transformer.

The good news is you'll quickly fall in love with current LCDs. Gamma curve will be much more like what the rest of the world sees, and your chroma will also match the rest of the world.

Get a new screen before your old CRT lets all the magic smoke out.
posted by lothar at 9:45 AM on October 23, 2007

Be careful. The last time I had a CRT make that sound, it caught on fire very shortly after.
posted by fvox13 at 9:52 AM on October 23, 2007

Uncle Jimmy has it. It will go POP! and might smoke a little. I've seen several fail but (thankfully) never had a fire like fvox13 reports.

But, I am like others, I wouldn't take chances.

Start shopping now, and also be sure to completely power off that monitor when you are not physically at the computer.
posted by Ynoxas at 10:12 AM on October 23, 2007

Mine (Samsung 957mb) was doing this too. I lowered the resolution a step, and it has been fine since.
posted by backwards guitar at 7:12 PM on October 23, 2007

Back in the 90s I bought a new cheapo GE TV (CRT of course, back then), and noticed right away that it would do this when it was first turned on. After a minute or so, it would go away.

It still does this, and the TV otherwise works fine.
posted by evilcolonel at 6:12 PM on October 24, 2007