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Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!husc6!bbn!uwmcsd1!ig!agate!violet.berkeley.edu!willis
From: willis@violet.berkeley.edu (Willis Johnson)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc,comp.arch,comp.graphics
Subject: How did this program burn out two monitors?
Message-ID: <10244@agate.BERKELEY.EDU>
Date: 24 May 88 01:49:55 GMT
Sender: usenet@agate.BERKELEY.EDU
Reply-To: willis@violet.berkeley.edu (Willis Johnson)
Organization: University of California, Berkeley
Lines: 26

I recently compiled a program that is supposed to do graphics on 
a Hercules graphics adapter.  I've used a similar routine before,
and I would have sworn there was nothing wrong with the software.
Maybe the files got corrupted.  When I ran the .exe file, my monitor
made a high-pitched whine, then the power light went off, and a 
crackling noise came out of the back until I pulled the power cord.
Curious about whether this was a coincidence, I took the program
to work and tried it on an extra monitor I had there.  The second 
monitor burned out too!  I thought it was impossible to damage my
monitor and adapter with software.  Does anybody have any ideas 
what caused this?  I'll post the .exe file and source (in C) to 
any brave or curious souls who request them.  

The hardware:
	1st time:  homebrew PC clone with generic Hercules clone card
		   Quimax DM-15 amber monitor.

	2nd time:  Leading Edge Model D, "turbo" with built in
		   Hercules compatible adapter, Quimax DM-14
		   amber monitor (an earlier version of the DM-15).

Neither video adapter was damaged.  Both monitors are DEAD.  

	Willis Johnson
	willis@violet.BERKELEY.EDU
	(415) 548 - 3023