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Greetings-

I just got a new (to me) 19" Game King and the monitor has some color problems.  While testing we had the 1997 Wheel of Fortune video slot game in there, and the background that was supposed to be green was displaying as blue.  In fact, everything had a very blue hue to it.  In addition, there were a lot of obvious scan lines across the monitor.  Additionally, it was very slow to focus until the monitor was warmed up.

A friend of mine taught me a fair amount about monitors today, and we replaced the flyback transformer (I even did half of the de-soldering and re-soldering, which I've never been very good at!), and we put everything back in place and still had the color issue (the focus issue was resolved, though).

We changed out the monitor board and neck board with a known good spare, and the issue was resolved.  Short of sending the original boards into Ceronix for repair, is there anything I can do to attempt to fix the color problem with the original board?  Also, are we correct in thinking that the color issue is somewhere in the "neck board" (the board that plugs on to the back of the tube)?

Thanks in advance for any help.  :89-

can you go into set up and change background color like on a gamemaker

I don't know if you can with that Wheel of Fortune game in particular, but yes, on most Game King multi-game games you can go in and change the background color.  That isn't the issue, though -- there's something bad in the boards in the monitor chassis, as when we swapped them out with known good boards (same monitor tube) the colors were correct.

From the sound of it, I believe I'd suspect 937 (Blue Video Amp PRA), if the PRA checks good, I'd look at 943 (2SC3467 transistor)...both of these are on the neck board.

If one of those don't facilitate a repair, I'd start looking at 241 (XRC5346A) this IC starts your RGB drives.  927 can be another problem component, though when it goes it usually causes a blackout, not an overdriven color...

Hope this helps somewhat...

God bless,
Mike><>

Mike-

Thank you for the direction -- we'll look at it tomorrow.  Can you tell me (a n00b when it comes to this stuff) what a "blue video amp PRA" is?  Is it this thing?

(http://i39.tinypic.com/21ltk5l.jpg)
(Ceronix part number CPR0511)

Thanks in advance.

-Kevin

Hi Kevin,

A PRA is a "Precision Resistor Array"...the image you posted is a PRA, I'm not able to tell if it is a blue video amp PRA.  All of the video amp PRAs are exactly the same, that's why it is good to have a schematic for your monitor...that way you can refer to the board designation number for the component.

You should be able to go to the Ceronix website and view/copy any &/or all of their information on any of their monitors, that's the main reason I like Ceronix monitors...they want you to know how to repair their monitors!  Try;
http://ceronix.com/ (http://ceronix.com/)
Under the heading of Products & Services...you should be able to look up your monitor from there.

Hope this helps.  If you get the chance, let me know how you make out on your repair.

God bless,
Mike><>

Mike-

Thank you for your help.  We looked closely at the neck board and while we didn't see anything that was obviously fried, there was some slight discoloration on the board near 945, if memory serves (I don't have the board here).  The discoloration looked to be a result of heat.  Although it wasn't badly fried, it looked like it had at least gotten fairly warm there at some point.

The PRA looked to be in good physical condition, with no signs of burns, cracked soldier joints, or anything out of the ordinary.  None of the three of us that looked at it are monitor techs, though, so we really didn't know what we were looking for or how to test it.

I think, unfortunately, that this one is going to get sent in to Ceronix for their $45 flat rate repair deal, although I'm sure they're probably going to change a $0.50 transistor and it'll be good.    :25-   (Unless, perhaps, you're interested in having a look at it?  You certainly don't have to, though -- your help in pinpointing the issue has already been a tremendous help.)

-Kevin

Hi Kevin,

Ceronix's flat rate repair is usually a good deal if you have a tough problem, I've used it before...

I wouldn't mind checking your monitor, but the people I work for would have a cow if they even thought I looked at an electronic component that didn't belong to their casino, they even get irritated when I come on this site, they get over it when I point out that I've been helped as much as I've helped others...

One thing that you might try, if you have another Ceronix monitor, swap the neck boards with one another...I'm still thinking it's in the neck board...all of your signals come through there, it maybe as simple as a comparitor IC that has gone belly-up...

If you use the Ceronix flat rate, please, post what the problem component was...it may help someone in the future & I'd just like to know...

God bless,
Mike><>

Mike-

Sounds good -- I didn't realize you work for a casino, and yes, I could imagine them having a fit.   :71-

We'll likely swap the neck board out and send Ceronix the (suspected) bad neck board along with one of the other boards that still has an old flyback on it to at least get our money's worth out of the repair fee (assuming they actually change the flyback as well).  I'll let you know the results.  Thanks again and K+ for your help.   :3-