Old CRT monitor squishes screen horizontally at text mode, BIOS, and other non-Windows screens.

[Ant]

Hello,

I have an old 21" ViewSonic GS815 at work that seems to have started
having problems outside of Windows. BIOS, CMOS, DOS prompts, old Norton
Ghost 2003 (DOS version), etc. show my screen squished horizontally
instead of the whole screen. I can still sort of read the texts, but
it's annoying.

In Windows (2000, XP, 98, 98 SE, and Me) on three different computers
(Micron P2 450 Mhz, Dell Dimension 8250, and a custom built P3 1 Ghz
machine via a 4-ports Belkin KVM switch (VGA and PS/2), the screen is
fine. However, if I go to Windows' command prompt (cmd.exe and
command.com) fullscreen, then the problem returns.

A couple times, I have seen the monitor display the screen fine for a
few seconds by itself, but then squishes it. At first, I thought maybe
it was because of 60hz refresh rate, but that doesn't seem to be the
problem since I tried 60hz in Windows (GUI). I also messed with the
monitor's settings (OSD) which doesn't seem to help.

I did find the OSD's Viewmeter for status, but I don't know if those
are fine (during DOS boot):
U4: User mode 4
H: 31.58 khz
V: 60 hz
Status: OK

Any ideas on what could be causing this and how to fix this? Is this a
warning sign that this old CRT monitor is dying?
--
"When many work together for a goal, great things may be accomplished. It is said a lion cub was killed by a single colony of ants." --Saskya Pandita
/\___/\
/ /\ /\ \ Ant @ http://antfarm.ma.cx (Personal Web Site)
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[JJS]

If you check my message above, we have a similar problem; so far no
one here has been able to suggest a solution for me. My Viewsonic 21'
GS815 squishes in horizantally when booting, and when playing some
simple games that the grandkids like to play like hoyle card games and
bowling from MS PLUS.

I know there is a solution because this monitor has worked fine in the
past. I called Viewsonic tech support, but and relayed my problem. The
guy couldn't help me, but promised a call back with someone who could
.... but they never called back?!?

JJ

 

[Ant]

Wow, same exact model. How long have you had it? I think I had this one
since 2002 or earlier (got it used).

Do you get the squished screen in full screen text mode/command line
all the time? What resolution and other video settings do those games
use? Are they VGA?

I guess our monitors are dying.

If you check my message above, we have a similar problem; so far no
one here has been able to suggest a solution for me. My Viewsonic 21'
GS815 squishes in horizantally when booting, and when playing some
simple games that the grandkids like to play like hoyle card games and
bowling from MS PLUS.

I know there is a solution because this monitor has worked fine in the
past. I called Viewsonic tech support, but and relayed my problem. The
guy couldn't help me, but promised a call back with someone who could
... but they never called back?!?

--
"When many work together for a goal, great things may be accomplished. It is said a lion cub was killed by a single colony of ants." --Saskya Pandita
/\___/\
/ /\ /\ \ Ant @ http://antfarm.ma.cx (Personal Web Site)
| |o o| | Ant's Quality Foraged Links (AQFL): http://aqfl.net
\ _ / Please remove ANT if replying by e-mail.
( )

 

[Ant]

I have an old 21" ViewSonic GS815 at work that seems to have started

having problems outside of Windows. BIOS, CMOS, DOS prompts, old Norton
Ghost 2003 (DOS version), etc. show my screen squished horizontally
instead of the whole screen. I can still sort of read the texts, but
it's annoying.

In Windows (2000, XP, 98, 98 SE, and Me) on three different computers
(Micron P2 450 Mhz, Dell Dimension 8250, and a custom built P3 1 Ghz
machine via a 4-ports Belkin KVM switch (VGA and PS/2), the screen is
fine. However, if I go to Windows' command prompt (cmd.exe and
command.com) fullscreen, then the problem returns.

A couple times, I have seen the monitor display the screen fine for a
few seconds by itself, but then squishes it. At first, I thought maybe
it was because of 60hz refresh rate, but that doesn't seem to be the
problem since I tried 60hz in Windows (GUI). I also messed with the
monitor's settings (OSD) which doesn't seem to help.

I did find the OSD's Viewmeter for status, but I don't know if those
are fine (during DOS boot):
U4: User mode 4
H: 31.58 khz
V: 60 hz
Status: OK

This was in full screen cmd.exe in Windows XP Home SP2 if it helps:
P1: VGA 640x400
H: 31.43khz -
V: 70 hz +
Status: OK

Any ideas on what could be causing this and how to fix this? Is this a
warning sign that this old CRT monitor is dying?

--
"When many work together for a goal, great things may be accomplished. It is said a lion cub was killed by a single colony of ants." --Saskya Pandita
/\___/\
/ /\ /\ \ Ant @ http://antfarm.ma.cx (Personal Web Site)
| |o o| | Ant's Quality Foraged Links (AQFL): http://aqfl.net
\ _ / Please remove ANT if replying by e-mail.
( )

 

[JJS]

I think I bought it new in about in Jan. 2001. It doesn't give me any
trouble when I open a command window - only in games. Don't know what
the resolutions are that the game writers use. I know they take
control of the graphics adapter, but how I don't know.

I run the monitor at 75hz with a standard resolution of 1024 by 768
with 16 bit color.

In the past I have had this monitor run these games correctly, but I
can't remember what I did to bring that about. Old age is hell!

I doubt the monitor is dying, but the new flat screens sure are nice
space savers.

I had the monitor replaced under warranty by Viewsonic years ago. They
sent me a reconditioned one in lieu of a new one and it wasn't my
original which I didn't think was fair. I had to pay the shipping of
my broken monitor back to them, and vowed I'd never buy another thing
from Viewsonic. JJ

 

[Ant]

I think I bought it new in about in Jan. 2001. It doesn't give me any
trouble when I open a command window - only in games. Don't know what
the resolutions are that the game writers use. I know they take
control of the graphics adapter, but how I don't know.

You can find out. Do the Viewmeter in your monitor's OSD (buttons). It
will tell you.

I run the monitor at 75hz with a standard resolution of 1024 by 768
with 16 bit color.

16-bit? Wow. I use 32-bit. Why 16?

In the past I have had this monitor run these games correctly, but I
can't remember what I did to bring that about. Old age is hell!

I doubt the monitor is dying, but the new flat screens sure are nice
space savers.

Well, six years a long time for a monitor and computer. Yes, flat
screens but I still prefer CRTs for better colors and performance.
However, they use more power, take up more space, heavy, produce more
heat, and harder to find these days.

I had the monitor replaced under warranty by Viewsonic years ago. They
sent me a reconditioned one in lieu of a new one and it wasn't my
original which I didn't think was fair. I had to pay the shipping of
my broken monitor back to them, and vowed I'd never buy another thing
from Viewsonic. JJ

That's a bummer. When I had to send my stuff in (RMA'ed), I usually
ended up with another one (sometimes refurbished).

--
"When many work together for a goal, great things may be accomplished. It is said a lion cub was killed by a single colony of ants." --Saskya Pandita
/\___/\
/ /\ /\ \ Ant @ http://antfarm.ma.cx (Personal Web Site)
| |o o| | Ant's Quality Foraged Links (AQFL): http://aqfl.net
\ _ / Please remove ANT if replying by e-mail.
( )