Dell 2209WA IPS Monitor Making Strange Noises

Findo on 24/04/2017 - 22:12

I recently got my hands on two Dell 2209WA IPS monitors and a NECPA231W monitor through my dad's work ('waste' from decommissioned medical imaging devices). Both the Dell monitors make a terrible humming and staticky noise that is audible across a quiet room, and the NEC monitor has a blue line running down the middle. Given that these monitors are essentially written off, what's the best and cheapest way to either fix the noise from one of the Dell monitors, or replace the LCD panel on the NEC monitor?

Why do monitors even make noise in the first place? This is the first monitor I've used that's made noise…

Computing

Comments

  • brokeunistudent on 24/04/2017 - 22:31

    Play some music to drown out the noise

  • altomic on 25/04/2017 - 01:21

    have a play with the monitor brightness as well as the refresh rate - the noise comes from the power board, so adjusting those 2 variables will alter the power consumption and therefore the components making the noise may cease the noise (it's called coil whine)

    • Findo on 25/04/2017 - 01:36

      I've played around with it and there are two distinct noises, one that goes away when the brightness gets dialled up to 100, and another buzzing sound that doesn't go away until the screen turns off.

      • altomic on 25/04/2017 - 01:47

        one of the components. take the back off the monitor. turn the monitor on and wait for the noise to start. identify the component and replace it. jaycar or similar is your friend.

        • Findo on 25/04/2017 - 01:49

          That seems quite hard. Dad just said it would be easier to bin the monitor and get a new one. How hard do you reckon it would be to repair a monitor with a line running down the middle?

        • altomic on 25/04/2017 - 02:01
          +1

          @niggard: not too hard at all. identiying the faulty component is relatively easy. replacing would also be easy. you'd just have to: (1) take off the back (2) identify the faulty component (just by listening to the exposed board whilst running, take off the back, (3) remove board (3 or 4 cables + 4 or so screws), (4) unsolder the faulty component and replace with the new one.

          The NEC - it could be the LCD panel. it could be a loose cable. it could be the board. I usually try unplugging the cables and then plug back in.

          if you do decide to "bin" them then put them on freecycle or else where so that someone can reuse them.

          cheers

        • Findo on 25/04/2017 - 02:05

          @altomic: do repair places still bother with computer monitors? I'd love get those two monitors repaired for a reasonable price. They were fairly expensive monitors and not consumer grade stuff.

        • derek324 on 25/04/2017 - 07:59

          @niggard: It depends, usually no. But try (there maybe a similar service in your area, if you are not in Sydney): http://www.monitorhospital.com.au

        • Findo on 25/04/2017 - 12:36

          @derek324: hey cool, the monitor hospital is like 5 minutes away from me!

  • [Deactivated] on 25/04/2017 - 09:57
    +1

    I wouldn't bother repairing them, in all honesty a blue line wouldn't bother me too much in a free device, I would try the ribbon cables first (being careful with exposed boards + power etc even though its low voltage, there is still step down transformers)

    • could be a ribbon cable
    • could be just age too, these "medical" grade devices are on a lot of hours, might be just showing its age

    For the other noises, possibly coil whine / components worn out for being on long hours, most of the time old stuff is refreshed every 4-6 years from these kinds of places, in essence they are probably showing their age now and would best be just used as they are or given away

    Considering you paid nothing for them, Investing money on repairs would be a waste of time as there may be no parts or the parts may be hard to source / expensive etc but if you can source cheapish parts, it might be worth the time and investment

    Good work anyway on scoring some freebies

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