[comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware] Problems with Gateway 2000 Crystal Scan monitors

mwm@raybed2.msd.ray.com (mwm) (01/31/91)

    Anyone out there had bad luck with Gateway 2000 Crystal Scan Monitors?
I posted a few weeks ago complaining of some problems I was having with
my interlaced Crystal Scan monitor.  Specifically, when the monitor was just
turned on and for about five minutes afterwards, I would lose horizontal sync
with the 800x600 drivers for Windows 3.0 (this occured with my ATI and Diamond
SpeedStar card.)  
   Also when using some graphics packages,  I'd get two diagonal lines about 
an inch apart on the botton third of the monitor when in 800x600 mode.
    A few people responded (Thank You All) who reported either no problems or
similiar problems.  I decided to get a new monitor.  Gateway was cool about 
me switching to the NEW CRYSTAL SCAN 1024 NI (non-interlaced).  Yeah, I figured
if I need a new one anyway, I might as well get the $100 upgrade to non-
interlaced.  It arrived yesterday.  Well, it got rid of my previous problems
but gave me some new ones and I'm bummed.

1)  First and foremost, it's screwed up at 1024x768 resolution in Windows 3.0 
    (either 256 or 16 colors).
    What happens is this; it starts up fine, the colors are dandy, etc, but
    soon after, the colors on the screen get all messed up,  eventually
    making the screen unreadable.  It only takes a minute or so before its
    completely unreadable.  Major Bummer.

2)  The crispness of the monitor SUCKS.  I hooked both monitors up side by
    side and the old interlaced Crystal Scan had a much sharper picture!!!
    They both have the same dot pitch width and they're both made by MAG 
    for Gateway so what gives???  I have to assume that I just got another
    bum monitor.  Has anyone else used both monitors and noticed any difference
    in sharpness or should I assume this is related to (1) above.

Some upgrade, huh?

Please respond if you've had a similiar experience with Gateway monitors!!!
I have to wonder about the QC on the monitors they ship out the door if I 
get two bum monitors from them.  (Can't be psyched to pay the damn shipping
costs.)  BTW, the tech service lines are getting tougher and tougher to get
through.  

Help!!!
Mark

-- 
*Mark Marino             * The old ranger weathered the storm and he topped the
*mwm@raybed6.msd.ray.com * rise by the middle of morn.  He saw rippled dunes,
*Raytheon Co.            * calm and surreal, and a glint of a solitary shaft of
*Tewksbury, MA           * chromium steel.   The Golden Age of Leather

keller@umd5.umd.edu (Nick Keller) (02/04/91)

In article <2070@raybed2.msd.ray.com> mwm@raybed2.msd.ray.com (mwm) writes:
>
>    Anyone out there had bad luck with Gateway 2000 Crystal Scan Monitors?
[lines deleted]

>
>1)  First and foremost, it's screwed up at 1024x768 resolution in Windows 3.0 
>    (either 256 or 16 colors).
>    What happens is this; it starts up fine, the colors are dandy, etc, but
>    soon after, the colors on the screen get all messed up,  eventually
>    making the screen unreadable.  It only takes a minute or so before its
>    completely unreadable.  Major Bummer.

The problem may be in the video card.  Are you running a Diamond SpeedStar ?
I'm running a Gateway 486 with the Speedstar Card & a NEC 4D and have had
a similar problem.  Try setting up windows to run in 1024x768 & start
the machine but leave the monitor off for some minutes, I believe that when
you turn on the monitor the problem will be there.
Gateway is shipping me a replacement Speedstar, should arrive soon, will post
results...

>2)  The crispness of the monitor SUCKS.  I hooked both monitors up side by
No comment, using a 4D

>BTW, the tech service lines are getting tougher and tougher to get through.  
I also a a terrible time getting hold of tech support, actually never did,
after trying for 3 days & getting constant busy signals, I sent a certified
letter to the president of Gateway & to the manager of tech support. 

Gateway tech support did call me then and were courteous & helpfull :)
They also suggested in the future that I could FAX them tech problems 
at 605-232-2182.

I would suggest that anyone with Gateway equipment & having problems with 
reaching tech support also send a letter to the president, hopefully they 
will hire more tech support personell and/or more phone lines.

A word on the positive side about Gateway:  The overall quality of the
system is pretty good, ie sturdy case, etc, and the speedstar is very fast 
in windows & text modes.  I have had no compatability problems at all, 
and the performance of the system is quite impressive.

Nick Keller