Xref: utzoo comp.sys.ibm.pc:15948 comp.arch:5002 comp.graphics:2574
Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!lll-winken!lll-lcc!ames!killer!pollux!dalsqnt!rpp386!pigs!haugj
From: haugj@pigs.UUCP (John F. Haugh II)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc,comp.arch,comp.graphics
Subject: Re: How did this program burn out two monitors?
Summary: incompatible adapter/monitor combination.
Message-ID: <134@pigs.UUCP>
Date: 26 May 88 18:26:39 GMT
References: <10244@agate.BERKELEY.EDU>
Organization: Big "D" Home for Wayward Hackers
Lines: 37

In article <10244@agate.BERKELEY.EDU>, willis@violet.berkeley.edu (Willis Johnson) writes:
> 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?

it sounds as though your program changed the mode of the display
adapter to one which was incompatible with your monochrome display.
a number of cheap hercules adapters which i have seen also include
a CGA compatible mode, which of course, may also require an RGB
monitor to operate.

as someone who has done this to a monitor, i can assure you that
the possibility of ruining a monitor with software, courtesy of an
over anxious display adapter, is quite real.  you only have a few
seconds, so nailing the power switch is not a viable option.  you
may not have enough time ...

if you are considering buying a new display adapter, i would
strongly recommend purchasing one which did not have software
selectable monitor options, unless there was also a method of
disabling this option.  being able to switch monitors with software
seems like a good way to turn an expensive monitor into an expensive
pile of trash.

- john.
-- 
 The Beach Bum                                 Big "D" Home for Wayward Hackers
 UUCP: ...!killer!rpp386!jfh                          jfh@rpp386.uucp :SMAILERS

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