Are old flatscreens etc repairable?

**BJG** · 2nd December 2008, 12:35 PM

I never like chucking stuff away when it's broken. I accumulate piles of junk. For instance, right now I'm looking at some anonymous Dell flatscreen dated Feb 2006 which won't turn on, and a Benq MP620 projector with a dodgy display. Do I just add these to the scrap pile for some recycling company to take away? Does anyone fix stuff anymore?

**SYSMAN_MK** · 2nd December 2008, 12:48 PM

Did the Dell monitor come with a PC with a 3Y warranty? If so they will replace it.

**tech_guy** · 2nd December 2008, 01:04 PM

We cannabilise everything here, and flog bits for spares / repair on ebay.

**Sirbendy** · 2nd December 2008, 01:05 PM

I keep our Dell TFTs when they do that...stay orange or whatever. The FP137x is well known for it.

I strip them for the genesis controllers, CCFL and TFT panels. I then use the parts to patch up our other FPs that the kids have poked or that are suffering display delamination (quite a few, damn cheap tat TFTs).

Some of the components get stripped out and added to my electronics collection (PCB in a vice, heat gun to the rear, pliers to the front and pull them out.)
Any broken TFT panels get raided for their CCFL tubes.

Projectors are a "minimal use" one..I've had several apart to try and fix discolouration of the optics...they're really quite simple, but the mirrors and filters just tarnish..I'm guessing heat related. Unfortunatly I couldn't clean the last one up, so off it went.

I horde, and I know it...PC fans are another...I have a 3x3 array running off a molex for summer cooling, and I keep several for the backs of our mini-fridges, as they wear out quite fast and are only 60mm PC fans. I have one on my to-do list now, as a matter of fact.

**Ric_** · 2nd December 2008, 01:12 PM

If it is lens discoloration with the projector, you may get some mileage with acetone and lens cleaning strips. It is a PITA mind.

**BJG** · 3rd December 2008, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by SYSMAN_MK

Did the Dell monitor come with a PC with a 3Y warranty? If so they will replace it.

Good point! Although trying to find out was very exasperating.

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/behind...tml#post259786

**sammy** · 8th December 2008, 10:08 AM

Pretty much all monitors come with 3 year warrantys...definitely look there. Problem is if you cant find the original invoice for the monitor, or the reseller you purchased it from is now long gone, you may have issues logging that warranty call becuase the manufacturer will ask for proof of purchase to validate the warranty. Effectively the warranty of 3 years starts from your date of purchase....which is on that original invoice.