[comp.sys.sun] PC Multisync monitors on a Sun

merlin@smu.edu (David Hayes) (10/04/89)

I have two Sun-3 systems with broken color monitors.  They need new
flyback transformers (about $180 each), but Sun refuses to sell the
necessary part.  They will repair the monitors, though, for only $1500
each.

I refuse to pay such extortion.  I've been fighting Sun on this for a year
now, and I'm giving up on them.  I would like to find some other way to
get my machines back into service.  I'm thinking of using a PC multi-sync
type monitor on the Suns.  Has anyone tried this?  What monitors will, or
won't, work?

Thanks for whatever help you can give,

David Hayes	School of Engineering	Southern Methodist University
merlin@smu.edu	uunet!smu!merlin
"Argue for your limitation, and, sure enough, they're yours." - Richard Bach

perry@tektronix.TEK.COM (Perry Hutchison) (10/20/89)

In article <2085@brazos.Rice.edu> David Hayes writes:
> X-Sun-Spots-Digest: Volume 8, Issue 158, message 13 of 21
> I have two Sun-3 color monitors [which] need new flyback transformers
> (about $180 each), but Sun refuses to sell the necessary part.  They
> will repair the monitors for $1500 each.
> I refuse to pay such extortion ...  I'm thinking of using a PC multi-sync
> type monitor on the Suns ...

I can't be sure about color, but the Sun monochrome monitor's horizontal
frequency exceeds the upper limit of a Mitsubishi Diamond Scan monitor by
something like a factor of 2 or 3.

I'd suggest checking with a third-party maintenance company.  We have
recently started dealing with Apex, in the Seattle area.  (Too recently to
recommend, either good or bad.)  I think there is one somewhere around
Boston, also, and there are probably others.  I think we found Apex
through an ad in Unix World.

Another approach would be to take the back off of the monitor, find the
actual manufacturer, and see if they will sell repair parts.  Most of our
B/W "Sun" monitors are actually made by Phillips.  The color monitors may
also be from someone other than Sun.