DEC VR260 service docs / common failure modes?

[Bill Degnan]

Correction
https://www.vintagecomputer.net/digital/VR-260/
B

On Mon, Aug 10, 2020, 2:28 PM Bill Degnan <billdegnan at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>