Looking for help on dealing with monitor cataracts on VR201 monitors.
[Dave Shevett] I have 3-4 DEC VR201 monitors that have the dreaded cataracts problem. I am extremely nervous working on CRTs I'm happy to work with someone (supervised repairs) or give these to whomever wants to fix them. Goal is to get my Pro-380 and my DECmates up and running with a clean video again soon goo --> CRT face
0) Lots of people are scared of messing with CRTs. Lots of reasons, mostly around unfamiliarity. I'm scared to provide advice - "I did what you said and lost [anatomy, fluids] when the CRT [imploded, broke, shocked me]". So anything I say is full of "hold me harmless" statements, I'm scared of legal action. 1) Slightly confusing request from Dave. If you want clean video monitors, why would you "give these [away]" after some one fixes them while you watch and supervise? Maybe you mean "I will provide them locally to someone for (help with?) repair so I can get them back as repaired for use". Anyway, please clarify your terms of work and exchange. Would not hurt to give your general location, doesn't seem like shipping is part of the intentions. 2) As far as people who respond but don't know what Dave is talking about. Here's some reference info, but rather than lecture here, I'll point to lectures on my WEb pages: https://www.retrotechnology.com/restore/adm3a.html Look for "Comments about CRT repairs" for some discussion. This is a problem across many terminals of the era. Buried on the page is a link of one way to repair: https://www.retrotechnology.com/restore/adm3a_nick.html .. but do more homework than I have done. There's lots of way to remove the gooey faceplate from the CRT, research will find examples. Or, obtain another CRT without faceplace, but it has to be (mostly mechanically) compatible. Besides, if the old CRT is functional why obtain another? But it may not be, the screen brightness fades with use (homework). I'm not responsible for any of this information, hold me harmless from any consequences. But the subject interests me, and in fact I have a few of these DEC VR2XX moldy monitors myself. Regards Herb Johnson -- Herb Johnson, New Jersey USA http://www.retrotechnology.com or .net preserve and restore 1970's personal computing email: hjohnson @ retrotechnology dot com or try later at herbjohnson @ comcast dot net -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA https://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net preserve, recover, restore 1970's computing email: hjohnson AT retrotechnology DOT com or try later herbjohnson AT comcast DOT net
On Tue, Dec 30, 2025 at 8:13 PM Herbert Johnson via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
[Dave Shevett] I have 3-4 DEC VR201 monitors that have the dreaded cataracts problem.
I have experienced that on more than one occasion, though more VT220s than VR201s.
Or, obtain another CRT without faceplace, but it has to be (mostly mechanically) compatible.
I can say from my experience that due to the mounting scheme in the bezel, beyond mere safety issues, you do have to replace the outermost safety glass (the bit closest to the user that you can reach out and touch, to be clear). The CRT will move around quite substantially without that extra thickness (the PVA and safety glass) on the front. -ethan
The videos I've seen of people doing this sort of work note that the outer safety glass may be problematic - you can't remove it because the case is made to hold it - and honestly, facing into a CRT that has no safety glass in front of it is a bit scary. This is why I'm looking for expertise :) On Tue, Dec 30, 2025 at 8:21 PM Ethan Dicks via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
On Tue, Dec 30, 2025 at 8:13 PM Herbert Johnson via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
[Dave Shevett] I have 3-4 DEC VR201 monitors that have the dreaded cataracts problem.
I have experienced that on more than one occasion, though more VT220s than VR201s.
Or, obtain another CRT without faceplace, but it has to be (mostly mechanically) compatible.
I can say from my experience that due to the mounting scheme in the bezel, beyond mere safety issues, you do have to replace the outermost safety glass (the bit closest to the user that you can reach out and touch, to be clear). The CRT will move around quite substantially without that extra thickness (the PVA and safety glass) on the front.
-ethan
participants (3)
-
Dave Shevett -
Ethan Dicks -
Herbert Johnson