Screen just faded (WG K7193)

[DaveJ-UK]

I haven't used my MAME cab in a long while. I transplanted the PC over to a new case, reloaded Windows XP, installed and configured the new version of MAMEWAH, and powered it on this afternoon for the first time in about 6 months.

It all powered up fine, Windows booted, I installed the ArcadeVGA drivers, rebooted, and got into MAMEWAH ok and was just sat at the title screen.

I'd left it idle for a few minutes while I wiped the dust from the CP and the glass covering the screen, when the picture faded until it was barely legible. I thought this was just a new MAMEWAH screen saver thing but when I moved the joystick it made no difference. I quit to Windows and it was still all dark. Adjusting the brightness/screen knobs on the monitor made little difference but adjusting the contrast made it legible again but it still look a bit dark and off colour.

What could this possibly be?

EDIT: Added monitor make/model to subject

[grantspain]

i have had similar problems when a monitor has defaulted to factory,worth a go setting the picture to user-trouble with all this mame stuff is your pc can get confused,give me arcade any day

[dabone]

Is it a digital monitor? or a analog?


Analog, do a cap kit.


Later,
dabone

[DaveJ-UK]

Sorry I forgot to mention what monitor it is!

It's a WG K7193 but I capped it about 6 months ago...

[SirPeale]

Possibly cracked solder joints.  Bust out the soldering iron and attack the joints on the flyback as well as the video connector.  Anything else you can see at the same time, for good measure.

[Ken Layton]

If it has a Zenith picture tube (likely it does), then that could be your problem. Zenith tubes that Wells-Gardner used failed suddenly, but generally would lose one color. It's also possible that the flyback transformer has a crack in it around the screen or focus controls.

[DaveJ-UK]

Thanks a lot guys.

It's a Philips tube (21" I think).

I just got it on the bench and it does indeed look like the flyback has a small crack on the top of it. Looks like I need to get on the phone to Zanen again...

EDIT: I just cleaned up the flyback with some Isopropyl and I'm not certain it is cracked. There's some residue which looks like rust now, but when it was covered in black it looked like a crack where it was peeling away.

I went over all the dodgey joints, put some electrical tape over this (possible) crack and it is SLIGHTLY better but it's certainly not fixed. I've ordered a new flyback from Zanen anyway.