Sparks aren't good are they?

[Pilot143]

Heres what happened, I went out for a bit, and left my metal slug neo geo running.  I get back some time later... and the monitor is blank, but power still on (marquee still lites up)

first thing I do... turn it off and check for smoke/fire damage... nothing.  turn it back on... looking at the monitor... and I hear this loud popping noise, only to look up and see sparks... coming from the tube itself (the center section)...

so my question is... is my 33" monitor fried? or how bad is it?  obviously its something that needs to be fixed... before its plugged back in and turned on... but where do I begin?

[Ken Layton]

If sparks are coming from inside the tube then the tube has somehow lost it's vacuum (usually from a crack in the glass even ever so slight). If the sparks are coming from around the rubber suction cup maybe the high voltage clip popped loose and needs to be reseated (WARNING: 20,000 volts!).

[ChadTower]

If the cabinet was not moved during that time he was away, how could the anode cap have come loose?  Is there a way other than someone having messed with it?

[Pilot143]

its not from inside of the tube... its clearly visible from the rear of the cab... plain sight... I just woke up and am going to go take another look.

thanks for the 20k volt reminder/warning...

no the cab has not been moved recently... its been about a month or so?

[JoeB]

Sounds like your flyback transformer is gone..

I believe it's a common problem.  Your flyback is the big black pastic box with the 2 knobs on it (focus and brightness I believe).  When you look from the back, its on your most left.

[Ken Layton]

Sounds like your flyback has indeed 'gone south' and needs to be replaced.

[Pilot143]

I'm glad to hear this is a common problem... which means there is a common fix... 33" monitors aren't exactly cheap to replace.

so how do I get this replaced?  is it a whole board? or just a small part?  and how serious is this?  I know a monitor isn't something to be messed around with... so I'm assuming its not something I can do?  (I know enough about electrics... just not monitors)

and if/when I do have to call somebody out... whats a fair price mostly?  just so I know I'm getting a fair deal, and not ripped off.

as always... thanks for the help... you've saved my cab 

[menace]

well if its a part bob roberts carries then you are in luck (www.therealbobroberts.com) you can check out his site and see if he has your part.  There is also zanen electronics but ken would have a better idea of their inventory than I would.  If you are technically inclined you can do the work yourself--it is a straight forward part swap--to have someone (repair place)fix it, it would likley cost you $60/hr.

There are resources in the FAQ to aid you in discharging the monitor--once that is done you just unsolder the bad part and re-solder on the good part--piece of cake.
do not work on the chassis without discharging it first.