DEC VR260 service docs / common failure modes?

Bill Degnan billdegnan at gmail.com
Mon Aug 10 13:28:46 CDT 2020


I just remember wrestling with one of those and determined I did not have a
matching system.  So I traded for something else about 2 years ago, or so.
Mine is photographed on vintagecomputer.net/dec/vr260 I believe
Bill

On Mon, Aug 10, 2020, 1:53 PM Douglas Taylor via cctalk <
cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:

> That's a very interesting comment, got me to thinking.  The VR150 was
> connected to a working Vax Station 3100 with the proper DEC cable and I
> observed the non-working behavior.  However, the color RGB output from
> the VS3100 works just fine, I boot the machine into VMS and runs just OK
> (but using a different monitor and video cable).
>
> In the VS3100, at least the one I have M78, I think the monochrome video
> output is separate from the RGB outputs.  I wonder if that part of the
> video circuit is not working correctly?
>
> I understand your comment about the rate, the VR150 is a non-standard
> video refresh rate.  I think it is hard wired just for the DEC video
> output.
>
> Doug
>
> On 8/10/2020 1:37 PM, Bill Degnan via cctalk wrote:
> > One comment...if you don't have the correct cable and a system that is
> set
> > for the correct refresh rate, it may appear that the monitor does not
> > work.  Be sure you have compatible equipment.  This was a specialized
> > display.
> > Bill
> >
> > On Mon, Aug 10, 2020 at 1:19 PM Douglas Taylor via cctalk <
> > cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
> >
> >> Josh;
> >>
> >> I have a DEC VR150 that is nearly functional; shows full screen but the
> >> H/V are not in any sync at all.  Would love to use it with a VaxStation
> >> 3100.
> >>
> >> Opened it up and found it quite a complicated monitor, not like a simple
> >> PC monochrome monitor.
> >>
> >> Purchased a microfiche manual off ebay, but haven't been able to view it
> >> yet.
> >>
> >> Eager to hear how you do with your larger monitor.
> >>
> >> Doug
> >>
> >> On 8/9/2020 3:10 AM, Josh Dersch via cctech wrote:
> >>> Hi all --
> >>>
> >>> Picked up a non-functional but otherwise nice looking DEC VR260 (19"
> b&w
> >>> monitor) on the cheap, hoping to use it with my VAXstation 2000.  From
> >> what
> >>> I've read, these were never the most reliable displays.  Curious if
> >> anyone
> >>> has any information on common failure modes, or has service docs
> >> squirreled
> >>> away somewhere.  I've at least found schematics, so I have something to
> >> go
> >>> on, but it's not exactly the most straightforward design I've poked at.
> >>>
> >>> Right now when powered up I hear a repeated low hum from the
> transformer
> >>> followed by a soft ticking noise so I'm guessing I've got power supply
> >>> issues at the very least.  Unsure what I should expect the monitor to
> do
> >> if
> >>> it's not being fed a valid video signal (I haven't yet tried to hook
> the
> >>> VS2000 up to it) -- whether it'll go into free-running mode or do
> mostly
> >>> nothing until it has something to sync to...
> >>>
> >>> Thanks as always,
> >>> Josh
> >>
> >>
>
>


More information about the cctech mailing list