Legit Reviews

I have a ViewSonic G90f(b) Graphics Series 19" Monitor. Its 4-5 yrs old and has been great. A cpl days ago I noticed a shadow damn near in the center of the screen, I thought it might be dirt but apparently its not! Sometimes it really stands out other times you can hardly tell its there. Is there anything that can be done about this or should I just start looking for a new monitor?

If I do need to look for a new monitor should I consider an LCD and who makes the "best bang for the buck" LCD monitors?

I can't comment on how to fix your current monitor, however if you choose to go with a new LCD, which you will find that they are now more affordable than ever, I would recommend Samsung or Dell.

viewsonic still makes excellent monitors, i got my 19" widescreen for around 180 bucks or so.

As far as the shadow, mess with your contrast and brightness a little and see if it affects the shadow at all. Also, does your monitor support digital and analog? I doubt it if it's 4-5 years old, but if so, then switch the input and see what happens.

Thought maybe dead pixels but it would seem pretty strange for a whole patch to die all at once. I'm wondering if it's a result of a video card in its death throes?

I'm using a Gateway 19" widescreen LCD that I got at CompUSA on sale for $200. I'm happy with it so far for general use and gaming but I'm not a rabid gamer.

I've been playing with the settings without too much success. I can make it where its not near as noticeable but then the contrast and brightness are too low for probably anyones taste!
Yes it is analog only.
It is a CRT so dead pixels isnt a factor!
The video card could be a factor, it is an ATI 9700Pro AIW which is about a year older than the monitor.
I'm going to try and borrow a monitor and see if it has the same problem, hopefully tomorrow.

Thanx for the input !
If I do go with a new LCD I like the Samsung & Dells so far.

camaroguy1998 wrote:It is a CRT so dead pixels isnt a factor!

DOH! How the heck did I miss that

I had one CRT do that exact same thing. It was a pro CRT that cost me over 1000$. When I tried to have it repaired, the technician told me that it was inside the tube and that he couldn't do anything about it. The monitor was just over 3 years old, and out of warranty

If you are able to fix it, I'd really like to know what it was...

Vincent

I've got an old Gateway that my mom is using that has shadows down each side in a one inch strip. Hardly noticeable, but still there.

I to would be interested in any fix you may find.

The Black Pumpkin wrote:I've got an old Gateway that my mom is using that has shadows down each side in a one inch strip. Hardly noticeable, but still there.

I to would be interested in any fix you may find.

I've posted this on a few different forums and I'm pretty much getting the same response.
"If you fix it tell me how you did it"

So far no one has come up with anything to try that has made any difference.

Have you powered up the monitor without it plugged into the computer? Some CRT's will have some sort of test image(s) That would rule out a problem with the cable or computer.

I have a 27 inch tv that had a spot like that once, and I am not saying that this will work for you so please don't try this at home unless you want to take total responsibility for the outcome.

What I did was run a powerful magnet along the edge of the screen and it seemed to re-align the "electron gun" i believe the term was what was used. The picture doesn't have any more dark spots.

I switched monitors with a Dell 19" and it does not have the shadow!
I hooked the ViewSonic up to another computer and the shadow is still there so its not the computer/video card.

I dunno about running a powerful magnet around the tube. I heard yrs ago you shouldnt do that near a TV so I cant see how it could be good with a monitor either.

The Dell is a loaner, I can keep it as long as I like so I think I'll do that for now. I told him it might be quite a while, he said its just collecting dust at his house, soooo its mine for a while!

Hm, does it have a deguass option in the monitor controls? That sometimes does a good job for fixing this stuff. I ran a magnet all over mine for fun, and deguassed it back to normal. It didn't help my shadows, but it might help yours.

The Black Pumpkin wrote:Hm, does it have a deguass option in the monitor controls? That sometimes does a good job for fixing this stuff. I ran a magnet all over mine for fun, and deguassed it back to normal. It didn't help my shadows, but it might help yours.

Yes I tried the degauss, that was one of the first things I tried, didnt do a thing!
So far the magnet idea is the only thing I havent tried and I'm starting to think what the heck!
I've got a 12" sub downstairs, maybe I'll dig it out!?!
At this point it cant hurt! I've pretty much written the monitor off!

I have a couple of lcd's and I am really impressed with my 19" widescreen Acer. It was cheap and comes with a 3-years warranty!

camaroguy1998 wrote: I dunno about running a powerful magnet around the tube. I heard yrs ago you shouldnt do that near a TV so I cant see how it could be good with a monitor either.

Well in my case the alternative was throwing away the tv which has worked fine 6 years later. So I suppose this could be a last resort option.

I got a Black Viewsonic E90fB 19" CRT monitor that I retired sitting in the closet that I will sell you for a great price if you are wanting a CRT replacement without spending $100+ on a new monitor. Here is a link on more info on it and since we both live in st. charles it would be easy.

Apoptosis wrote:I got a Black Viewsonic E90fB 19" CRT monitor that I retired sitting in the closet that I will sell you for a great price if you are wanting a CRT replacement without spending $100+ on a new monitor. Here is a link on more info on it and since we both live in st. charles it would be easy.

Is that an open ended offer?
I havent decided what I am going to do yet! I have this Dell here for now and its a "give it back when you're done" deal.(no hurry)
I really want to take that step into the LCD world, I just have to convince the wife!
Thank You Apoptosis, if I dont go LCD I will probably be getting a hold of you!

If you know anyone who is into TV repair, those guys use a tool called a degaussing ring. (A big powerful 10" round electromagnetic coil) Using a subwoofer magnet will not work, if the chassis, itself is magnetized, nor will the internal degausser. It may well solve your problem.
There is a "right" way to do this, which the TV guy would demonstrate. I've "rescued" several otherwise nice televisions and monitors with one of these (borrowed).

Good Luck!

I would have to say that this monitor is probably the best LCD to be found on Newegg. If you don't like it, I would still go for a 19" monitor since 17" is too small IMO

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6824232007