How do I tell if an arcade monitor is good?

[zman]

I just purchased an old X-MEN cab for $50.  Plugged it in and turned it on but only sign of juice was the fan in power supply spinning, the speakers crackled a little, and the transformer for monitor hmms a bit.  No real sound, no video.  I really only want the monitor so I can replace my TV in my MAME cabinet.  So here are my two questions....

  1) Is there an easy way I can safely determine if the monitor is good without investing more money (like purchasing ArcadeVGA board)?
If I can determine the monitor is good I will indeed purchase an ArcadeVGA...I just hate to spend the $90 just to find out I can't use the monitor.

  2) I have an ATI 9800SE, could I just connect the rbg pins directly from the ATI video card's output to the monitor's rgb and then the h&v sync from the video card to the monitor without it being over driven....i.e. will the ATI card realize the device is a "TV monitor" and "do the right thing"?  If this is true, then I will not need the ArcadeVGA card right?

Any responds greatly appreciated,
zman@smoke-n-ashes.com
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My 1st TV MAME custom cabinet http://www.smoke-n-ashes.com/~cmoyer/webPics/mamePics/finish

[zman]

One more note...a digital multimeter shows power supply is good.  I see 120v going to the big transformer mounted on bottom of cabinet.  I also hear a noise from monitor like it received power...u know like a "bowww" sound

[SirPeale]

Well, that sound is a good indicator.

Also, you do NOT need to buy an ArcadeVGA!  You have an ATI card?  It will output a 15KHz signal.  Do you have a J-PAC?  Makes your job even easier!

[PacManFan]

When the monitor is turned on, and it has no input signal or sync, the screen should be glowing white. You might have to play with the brightness controls a little.

-PMF

[Lilwolf]

btw.. can you get windows running with an ATI -> arcade monitor?  

Or only get it working with advanced mame / advanced menu?

I tried searching for the answer... but "ATI" is in the middle of a bunch of other words... so I got hit with a TON of messages...

Well, that sound is a good indicator.

Also, you do NOT need to buy an ArcadeVGA!  You have an ATI card?  It will output a 15KHz signal.  Do you have a J-PAC?  Makes your job even easier!

[SirPeale]

btw.. can you get windows running with an ATI -> arcade monitor?  

Or only get it working with advanced mame / advanced menu?

I tried searching for the answer... but "ATI" is in the middle of a bunch of other words... so I got hit with a TON of messages...

I don't have any answers concerning Windows, other than the hacked drivers for the Trident Blade M64, and of course the ArcadeVGA.  Personally, I'd just use DOS, but that's just me.  I'm old school.

[Lilwolf]

hehe... I can't use my frontend then... sigh

just wondering if anyone got it working in ANY way... (was hoping powerstrip would work... but no...)