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From: john@viper.UUCP (John Stanley)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: Bad monitor, Bad service
Message-ID: <690@viper.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 17-Mar-87 17:50:16 EST
Article-I.D.: viper.690
Posted: Tue Mar 17 17:50:16 1987
Date-Received: Thu, 19-Mar-87 03:16:00 EST
References: <1987Mar13.141548.24430@gpu.utcs.toronto.edu>
Reply-To: john@viper.UUCP (John Stanley)
Distribution: na
Organization: DynaSoft Systems
Lines: 47

In article <1987Mar13.141548.24430@gpu.utcs.toronto.edu> pete@gpu.utcs.toronto.edu (Peter Santangeli) writes:
 >
 >	My monitor developped a glitch a little while ago that takes the form
 >of the image shifting left to right or right to left at random interval and
 >random distances. The distance is usually less thatn 5 mm and the entire image
 >usually shifts, though occasionally I also notice horizontal spikes and wave-
 >ering.

I had a similar problem with the first machine I got.

 >	I took my monitor to Atari service here in Toronto, and they said it
 >would take 2-3 days. 7 days later, they told me it was done. I went out to
 >pick it up: all there was was a note:No problems, must be with computer.
 >  This seemed wierd to me as my color monitor has NEVER given me problems.
 >Anyways, I took in the whole system. 5 days later. "couldn't find the 
 >problem".
 >  Damn! I thought. must be interferance. (though I had checked that). SO
 >I set the stupid thing up at WORK. same problem. I took it home, and 
 >UNPLUGGEEVERY APPLIANCE AND ELECTRICAL DEVICE IN THE HOUSE.
 > ***SAME PROBLEM***!!!!

The problem I had occured durring heavy load periods when the line voltage
dropped in my area.  Unpluging your whole house wouldn't make much of a
difference one way or another.  The service center you went to may have
in a different power distribution area even if it was a block away...

 >	These guys are either BLIND or just plain aren't willing to spend the
 >time to find the problem. Frankly, I am EXTREMELY PISSED OFF. I spent over
 >$2000 on atari equipment. Yah, the software isn't great, I can live with that.
 >I CAN'T LIVE WITH RUDE AND INEFFECTIVE SERVICE.

Don't go blaming the service guys when they can't recreate the problem.  It
took bribing a friendly service tech into coming to my place to figure out
the cause.

 >	So, I ask the net, has ANYBODY had the kind of monitor problems I have
 >been having? I guess I am forced to open the damn thing up myself and fix it.
 >Let's hope I don't electrocute myself (for atari Canada's sake!)

I certanly hope you haven't zapped yourself before you read this.  The
problem turned out to be a random glitch in the vidio shifter chip
control registers.  The solution was to replace the chip...

--- 
John Stanley (john@viper.UUCP)
Software Consultant - DynaSoft Systems
UUCP: ...{amdahl,ihnp4,rutgers}!{meccts,dayton}!viper!joP P