Vintage NEC Multisync 3D Monitor Question

[d-jones]

I know some of you guys are much more tech savvy than I am, so here goes. I have an old NEC monitor that I purchased in 1989 that needs to find somewhere else to live. I was hoping to list it on eBay for some small token amount with the idea that there might be a diehard collector of vintage computer stuff that wants it. It saw little use, and but for the slight discoloration of the plastic cabinet it's in pretty nice shape. But when I plugged it in to my computer to see if it still worked I was unable to get a proper image. Is this a compatibility issue between the old monitor and the newer computer, or does it have bigger issues? If it's toast I can just have it recycled, but it'd be nice if it could still be of use to someone.

And please, if you respond, try to remember you're not dealing with a computer guy here. Too much technical language and I'll be lost.

 

[roto204]

Maybe toast, but...

Looks more like a resolution or refresh rate that's out of spec for the monitor. Try attaching a different monitor, dropping the resolution down to either 640x480 or 800x600 with no more than 60 Hz refresh, and apply those settings--then attach this monitor and see what happens.

If you find a low-res/low-refresh (or both) combo that works, try upping one, then the other, until it goes out of range. The default behavior on most Windows systems is to revert to the last setting if "Confirm" isn't clicked after 15 seconds.

 

[roto204]

In non-tech

Depending on your OS, you'll want to open the Display/Monitor/Graphics Properties settings where you can change the resolution (usually listed as 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, etc) and the refresh rate (56 Hz, 60 Hz, etc)--start low, and work up. Like 640x480 at 56Hz, and go from there.

I'd try to be more specific, but wasn't sure from the screen what operating system you're working with. XP, maybe?

 

[tolivac]

Used to have monitors like that at work-then when the flatscreens came out-the NEC's disappeared!They were put on a pallet-then surplused.Hope they found good homes.Some had weak pix tubes.

 

[d-jones]

Thanks Nate. It is an XP computer just as you thought. I'll go ahead and give your suggestion a try and see what happens. Like a lot of folks on this blog I hate to see something scraped if it can still serve a purpose somewhere.

 

[roto204]

Those are nice monitors

I had one I loved until it emitted the magic smoke. One of the NEC Multisync's cool capabilities is the ability to sync on different inputs, which comes in ultra-handy if you have an older computer like the first-generation modular (non-all-in-one) Macs that had some very difficult video cards to try to get to work with non-Apple monitors. I used my NEC with my Mac II until it went skyward, and never could find another monitor to work with that machine (pre-eBay days).

 

[d-jones]

So here's the latest.

I reduced the resolution to 800 x 600, which is the lowest option I can choose. It seems to have worked for the most part, but now there are some horizontal lines across the upper portion of the screen that don't belong there. Any thoughts as to what that might mean? Does the resolution need to be even lower to work properly? I didn't see anything that would allow me to change the refresh rate, so whatever it was it remains the same.

 

[roto204]

Refresh rate probably OK

If the refresh rate is out of spec, it just won't come up with a picture.

I think that artifact is actually because the top of the picture is rolling over and being mirrored down--as in, the top is going over the top. That's a monitor adjustment, not something that needs tweaking on the computer.

 

[d-jones]

Thanks Nate

So let me ask you this. Is this an adjustment that's easily made? Can I list this on eBay as a working monitor in need of a little attention, or should this be considered non working?

 

[whirlcool]

No there should be an adjustment knob on this montior, or it's buried in a menu on the monitor somewhere. I would adjust picture size and height until the picture fits the screen.

Those monitors were considered TOL from the late 80's-mid 90's. They were highly desired by many people. Then there was the big earthquake in Japan that was centered in the Kobi where they made most of the picture tubes for monitors and television sets. After that NEC dropped from a CRT leader to almost an "also ran". They never recovered the market share they once had.

 

[philr]

Last year, when my second LCD monitor died, I decided to put back my old (but not that old!) NEC CRT monitor in service. Here, computer screens and TVs are now charged with a special tax called "environmental handling fee". I understand that these things are disposable and that more people want to make money out of that but I decided to wait until this one goes bad!

 

And it's a flat screen too! (it says so!). 

 

[whirlcool]

Before the LCD monitors we know of today there were "Flat screen Monitors and television sets" The front of the CRT is flat. This is supposed to be more distortion free and lines would be straight instead of curved as they appear on curved CRT monitors. Our Sony WEGA television has a 36" flat screen CRT in it. The front of the screen is truly flat.