Fadal Video monitor not working

[Ron]

My schools Fadal 4020 VMC (around '89) video monitor or something connected with it has ceased working. All we are getting are random dots on the screen. We have tried shutting off power and powering back up but still random dots. Has this happened to anyone and does anyone have any good suggestions that does not involve shooting the thing?

 

Thanks in advance.

[Mattingly]

If you have more than one Fadal you can try swapping the video cards. If you have a service facility nearby call them they will usually help solve problems over the phone. Then if all else fails shoot it. (I have 5 Fadals here and am not that impressed with them)

[Ron Roderick]

Ron,

Are you are talking about the crt on the machine. I had a Compumill with a Dynapath 20 control that lost the crt a few times. $1500 a pop for a new one. I brought it to my local TV repair shop. Fixed it for $35. The control vibrating over the years broke the leads on tall components on the board. ( coils,capacitors,etc.)

 

Ron

[Charles Davis]

I used to work on Radar years ago...

 

Open up the control, and use a flashlight to see if anything is burned. Also, use your nose to smell for burned components.

 

The most common problems are:

1. Broken wires

2. Something in the power supply

 

The important thing in troubleshooting is focusing on the simple and obvious first; that's 90% of the problems.

 

If you see a resistor that has fried, etc., you've likely isolated your problem to that area. Keep in mind though that blowing a capacitor or frying a resisitor will usually take out some other less tolerant components, such as IC's, SCR's, or others.

 

If you're wanting to really scrimp $$$ I don't see any problem taking this approach first, and even taking it to a TV repair shop.

 

[ 11-12-2003, 07:29 PM: Message edited by: Charles Davis ]

[MetalMarvels]

BUT!!!! Be very carefull messing around the back of the CRT and the associated connections. High voltages can be present EVEN WITH THE MACHINE POWERED OFF!!!!!

[Jack Mitchell]

Ron,

 

Power the machine up and referance as you always do, then goto MDI and type something into the control. IE: G00 G91 X-5.0

You've done this enough to know what your doing without a screen.

 

This will give an indication of what problems are present - hope it helps.

 

Regards, Jack

 

[ 11-13-2003, 02:07 AM: Message edited by: Jack Mitchell ]

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

I always used a rubber mallet on the side of ours and that worked!

 

But make sure all connections are good. Perhaps unplug, clean and plug back in.

 

HTH

[tryon]

wont a monitor from a Commadore 64 just plug right in?

 

sorry

[Ron Roderick]

The CRT on my Dynapath was a Cinton CRT made in Korea. I hard wired a Magnavox mono CRT from my first Tandy1000 computer while the Dynapath's CRT was being repaired. I Duct taped it to the top of the cabinet and kept on making chips. Just wire in the video lead. No sound needed.

Ron