Re: apple //c LCD display questions

[spec@vax2.concordia.ca (Mitchell Spector)]

In article suprdave@aol.com (SUPRDAVE) writes...

>i just picked one up complete in box for <$5, and it works, but i have a
>question about it.

    That is quite a deal, they're extremely rare. I've seen used ones
sell for as much as US$200. I managed to locate one at a used computer 
store back in the summer, but passed it up because it was merely a 
replacement part for the actual LCD screen (it lacked the interface 
board and casing).

>ive noticed its not very bright. am i to expect that, or is
>there some way to make it brighter?

    There should be a contrast knob and inverse switch to improve
viewability, but that is about it. You've discovered the reason
why the screen was so short lived -- it was nearly impossible to
see anything! They are non-backlit, so you need a strong light
source nearby or off to the side in order to use it. Even then,
I hear they were difficult to view and gave a squashed looking
image (I've not seen one, so I can't really judge the Apple LCD).

    I do however own a C-Vue LCD screen, which was a 3rd party
alternative to the Apple Flat Panel Display. Apparently it was
a notiable improvement over the Apple screen, but I still find
it _very_ difficult to see anything. It too is not backlit and
requires a strong light source (I find sunlight works best) to
see text or graphics. Generally you have to adjust the lighting
and the angle of the screen just right. I don't even think the
first Macintosh Portable (the non-backlit version) was this bad.
Both screens were pretty much a flop, not too mention cost more
than they were worth IMO.

>also the top edge of the screen has scrolled too far upwards it seems.
>anyway of centering the image?

    It may need adjusting, though someone here with an Apple LCD
will have to tell you whether that is normal or not. The screen
is fully visible on my C-Vue, in fact there are a couple lines on
the top and bottom (and a good half inch on the left/right sides)
that are not used by the IIc. I usually see stray pixels appear
in those empty areas unless I cycle the power a couple of times to
clean it up.

Mitchell Spector
spec@vax2.concordia.ca