need custom refresh rates to fix whining/squealing CRT

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need custom refresh rates to fix whining/squealing CRT

My new-to-me 2005 eMac is in excellent condition, except for the fact that its built-in CRT monitor whines/squeals at lower refresh rates. The only resolution with a high enough refresh rate to prevent whining is 800x600 (112 Hz). At least in OS 10.4 on my eMac, I can only choose one refresh rate for the built-in monitor per resolution in System Preferences => Displays (all other refresh rates grayed out).

*I need a procedure that will enable me to choose the highest possible refresh rates for resolutions of 1024x768 or higher.* Surfing the internet isn't much fun at 800x600! I understand that using an improper refresh rate will probably lessen the life of the CRT, but my eMac was rather inexpensive and need only last until I've finished saving for a new Mac Mini or MacBook. I've tried shareware programs such as DisplayConfigX and MoniTOR without success. *I think that SwitchResX is flexible enough to do what I need if I input the correct settings, but I do not know what those correct settings might be.*

Thanks in advance for your help!

2005 eMac, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on May 21, 2009 3:50 PM

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Answer 1

May 22, 2009 12:02 AM in response to gobbles414

As far as I can remember the eMac refresh rate for 1024x768 is above 75Hz and 60Hz or so at the highest possible resolution.

Everything above 75 isn't that bad.

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Answer 2

gobbles414 Author

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May 22, 2009 8:41 AM in response to Alberto Ravasio

Thanks for your reply. I agree with you that the eMac's normal refresh rates look fine. The problem is that any normal refresh rate below 112 Hz causes the CRT in my eMac to make an irritating high pitched sound; I think that the CRT is dying.

I've read online that it might be possible to repair the CRT itself, but I have neither the experience nor the tools to safely do such repair work (at least not without a lot of guidance) and it would probably cost more that the eMac is worth to pay an experienced technician to do the work. Using higher-than-normal refresh rates would definitely be the best solution for me.

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