Re: IIGS monitor flickering

[irsman@iastate.edu (Ian Schmidt)]

In article <263gat$a2c@pith.uoregon.edu> nparker@cie.uoregon.edu (Neil Parker) writes:
>
>The problem, I was informed, was a faulty flyback transformer.  I was told
>that if I had gotten it replaced during the couple of years before it died
>for good, it would have been relatively cheap.  Apparently, though, when
>the flyback transformaer finally dies completely, it takes a number of
>other parts with it, including some custom ICs, and the resulting damage
>can only be fixed by sending the whole thing back to Apple, which costs
>more than the monitor is worth.
>
>The moral to this story is get the flyback transformer fixed NOW.  Do not
>pass GO, do not collect $200.
>
>According to some posts that I saw here several months ago, fixing the
>flyback transformer may be as simple as re-soldering it to its circuit
>board.  I haven't tried this--when I finally took my dead monitor in to be
>fixed it was too late.

This is indeed true.  The faulty cold solder joints on the flyback are quite
simple to fix; I resoldered mine almost a year ago and my RGB is still
good-as-new.  The problem with leaving it unsoldered is that it causes nasty
extra capacitances and such in the HV circuitry, which can easily fry anything
on the main drive board, as well as potentially the CRT itself.  If you don't
personally know what a flyback is or how to resolder one, find a friend who
does; the flyback circuit is extremely dangerous to human life if treated
carelessly :)


-- 
Ian Schmidt        |"And so it crept out of the atomic mists --the incredible
Two Meg Software   | Silverware Creature.  Its only goal: to destroy
irsman@iastate.edu | mankind as we know it -- spooning and forking its way to
IRSMan@aol.com     | world domination" - J.M. DeMatteis, X-Factor #94.