Project: AOC Monitor

Back in October 2023 my high school used to have an E-Waste recycle bin which they never emptied. At some point they realized they could empty out the school’s basement too and not wait for students to fill the bin. That was the day I spotted this monitor. I stayed at school after everyone had left and asked our principal if I could take it home. He obliged, likely thankful for the space I just freed up… After arriving home with my newly acquired heap of leaded glass and plastic I proceeded to try and turn it on.
Much to my surprise, it didn’t work.

I decided to clean it regardless, since CRT monitors are relatively easy to service.

After putting it back together it started to work! …sort of. It got better as I let it run for a bit! (I should probably have let it dry longer. oops.)

When it finally looked perfect after about 20 minutes or so I accidentally moved the cables and it went back to the way it was when I got it.

It can do 800x600@120Hz! :)

I suspected the fault to be cold solder joints, so I reflowed every single one with my trusty $5 soldering iron. Most of the joints under the flyback and other heavy components were cracked.

And that’s it! A fully functional and clean AOC Spectrum 7G VGA monitor for my retro setup!