SM124 small screen

[gozar]

I dug my SM124 out of storage, and the screen size has shrunk to where it seems like it's only using 50% of the total screen. Is it worth fixing? Is it possible to fix?

[calimero]

You can open monitor and adjust screen size by rotating knobs for screen size. I do this many decades ago so I forgot what knobs exactly...!

 

But it is a life threatening procedure! since you need to do it with monitor turned on...!

[ataricrypt]

Yeah Calimero is right. Sometimes it just ain't worth the risk... find a cheap VGA and use that instead?

[Zogging Hell]

You could just turn the pots with the monitor off (after it has been left off for a while - better to turn off by the plug rather than the button as well). Then turn the monitor on to see the result - make notes on where the pots were originally. You will also probably want to diischarge the anode ( http://www.wikihow.com/Discharge-a-CRT-Monitor) It is a lot more time consuming guess work involved but some experimenting should allow you to work out which way to turn and by how much. Even though it is off the monitor still holds a charge though (particularly if it has just been turned on), although the bits people usually think are dangerous aren't necessarily the most dangerous parts, there are other bits in there that can also give you a shock (PSU etc). Do wear rubber soles, and only use one hand (preferably rubber gloves as well). And if that scares you, don't try it

 

Just remember, however, that the screen size on the SM124 is always looks strangely shrunk - the same border visible on the ST on a TV is also present on the SM124 (for some reason known only to Atari, although I think it relates to aspect ratio /dpi), so it does look a bit odd now. Also, although you can, I wouldn't extend it to the full size screen as this puts extra stress on some parts of the internals, which will lead to an early death.

[galax]

I would also use long non-metal screwdrivers if possible. The pros use something like below but the pots are quite easy to turn, last time did this I improvised something out of a sharpened bamboo skewer.

[gozar]

I'm afraid of putting more stress on the monitor. I did order a mono cable from eBay that should work.

[ParanoidLittleMan]

In most of cases it is because weakened electrolyth capacitors - especially in this age and after longer storage.