Removing Monitor Neck: A Step-By-Step Guide

Removing the neck stand of a monitor can be done by first removing a piece of plastic covering the four screw holes that hold the neck to the monitor. A knife or screwdriver can be used to pry it off, and then the screws can be removed. Alternatively, there may be two screws underneath the base that can be twisted off. In the case of a Wells-Gardner monitor, the neckboard's picture tube socket is secured to the tube by a glob of silicone glue. A razor blade or x-acto knife can be used to carefully cut through the glue, after which the neckboard can be slowly and carefully pulled off the tube.

Unscrew the protector and slide it off

To remove the neck from your monitor, you'll need to access the neckboard. This is the part that connects the monitor neck to the base.

First, locate the neckboard. It is usually covered by a metal plate or a piece of plastic. If there is a metal plate, simply unscrew it and slide it off from the shorter side. If there is a piece of plastic, use a knife or a screwdriver to carefully pry it off.

Once the neckboard is exposed, you will see the screw holes that hold the neck in place. There should be two screws that you can undo. One may be hidden behind the flyback, so make sure to check thoroughly. Once the screws are removed, gently pull the neckboard off the tube. Be careful, as the neck is made of glass.

If your monitor uses silicone glue instead of screws, take a razor blade or X-acto knife and carefully cut through the glue around the socket. Then, slowly and carefully pull the neckboard off the tube.

Cut through the silicone glue with a blade

To remove the neck from an ONN monitor, you will need to cut through the silicone glue that secures the neckboard's picture tube socket to the tube. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do this:

Step 1: Prepare the Necessary Tools

For this task, you will need a razor blade, an X-acto knife, or a similar sharp tool. A thin, flexible blade is ideal to reach the silicone glue around the socket.

Step 2: Cut Through the Silicone Glue

Take your chosen blade and carefully cut through the silicone glue around the socket. Be extremely cautious not to apply too much pressure, as you could damage the neckboard or the tube. Work slowly and patiently, as rushing may increase the risk of accidents.

Step 3: Separate the Neckboard from the Tube

Once you have cut through the silicone glue, you can begin to separate the neckboard from the tube. Do this slowly and with gentle force, as you don't want to snap or damage the neck, which is made of glass. You may need to wiggle the neckboard lightly forward and backward while pulling to loosen it from the tube.

Step 4: Clean Up

After successfully removing the neckboard, inspect the tube and neckboard for any remaining silicone residue. Use a flexible plastic or metal blade to carefully scrape off any excess silicone. Be cautious not to scratch or damage the surfaces. You can also use a cloth soaked in an alcohol-based cleaning agent to wipe away any remaining traces of silicone.

Tips and Precautions:

• Before beginning this process, ensure you have adequate lighting and a clear workspace to avoid accidents.
• Always handle blades with caution to prevent injuries.
• If you encounter resistance while cutting the silicone glue, try using a putty knife to aid in the removal process.
• If you are unsure about any part of this process, consider consulting a professional or seeking advice from a technician.

Pull the neckboard off

To pull the neckboard off, you will need to first cut through any silicone glue that may be securing the neckboard's picture tube socket to the tube. You can use a razor blade or an X-acto knife for this. Once the glue has been cut, slowly and carefully pull the neckboard off the tube. Be very gentle as the neck is made of glass. If there is no glue, you can simply pull the neckboard straight back off the pins without tilting it. If it seems tight, don't worry, as these are made to be removed, so with enough force, it will come off.

If you are still nervous about pulling the neckboard off, you can try "rocking the pins." This involves wiggling the neckboard forward and backward very lightly while pulling it off, ensuring that it is still standing straight up just before you pull it off. Just be sure to get it back on correctly. It's keyed so that you can't attach it incorrectly, but with some finesse, you could still make a mistake.

If your neckboard is covered by a metal plate, you will need to unscrew the protector and slide it off from the shorter side. If there are screws holding the chassis to the CRT frame, remove them, and then gently remove the neckboard.

If you are removing the neckboard from a Wells-Gardner monitor, be aware that they secure the neckboard's picture tube socket to the tube with a glob of silicone glue. You will need to cut through this glue with a razor blade or X-acto knife before slowly and carefully pulling the neckboard off.

Disconnect cables and wires

Disconnecting cables and wires from a monitor is a delicate task that requires careful attention to avoid damage to the equipment. Here are some detailed instructions to guide you through the process:

First, it is important to understand the potential risks associated with disconnecting cables and wires. One common issue is damage to the display ports or video port in the graphics cards and monitor due to repeated plugging and unplugging. This can be mitigated by using alternative methods to disconnect the monitor without physically unplugging the cables.

For Windows 10 users, there is a straightforward solution. If you have a dual-monitor setup, use the "Windows key + P" keyboard shortcut to access the "Project" flyout menu. From there, select the "PC screen only" option, and the second monitor will automatically disconnect without touching any cables.

If you have a triple-monitor setup, the process is slightly different. Go to the "Settings" app and select "System," then "Display." Choose the monitor you want to disconnect from the "Select and rearrange displays" section. Next, go to the "Multiple displays" section and select "Disconnect this display" from the drop-down menu. This will terminate the connection for the selected monitor without physically detaching any cables.

Another option is to use a third-party tool like "MultiMonitorTool" by NirSoft, which allows you to manage your display devices individually. This tool does not require installation and can be used to disconnect a monitor by simply selecting the desired display device and clicking the "Disable/Enable" switch.

Now, if you do need to physically disconnect the cables and wires from your monitor, proceed with caution. Make sure the monitor and computer are turned off before beginning. Locate the cables connecting the monitor to the power source and the computer, and gently grasp the connectors. Slowly and carefully pull the connectors out of their respective ports, ensuring that you are pulling them straight out without tilting or twisting. Place the cables to the side, being mindful of how they were connected so that you can reconnect them properly if needed.

Remember to handle the cables with care and avoid pulling or tugging forcefully, as this can damage the connectors or the ports. If you encounter any resistance, double-check that you are pulling the cables in the correct direction and that all latches or locks are disengaged.

Remove screws

Removing screws can be a tricky process, especially if they are damaged or broken. Here are some detailed instructions on how to remove screws, including those with stripped or broken heads.

Removing Screws with a Stripped Head

If you find that the head of a screw is stripped and your screwdriver or drill bit is unable to grip it effectively, there are several methods you can try:

• Use a Rubber Band: Place a rubber band between the screwdriver and the screw. This can help increase friction and grip, allowing you to turn the screw.
• Drill into the Screw: Use a drill bit to drill into the screw, and then use a special screw extractor bit that is tapered and has threads turning opposite to those of the screw. Perform this process slowly and carefully to avoid further damage.
• Cut a Notch in the Screw Head: Use a Dremel or hacksaw to cut a notch in the screw head, then use a slotted screwdriver to remove it.
• Glue a Nut: Carefully glue a nut to the top of the screw and use a wrench to remove it. Be cautious to avoid gluing the nut to the surrounding surface.
• Vise-Grip Pliers: If the screw is not buried all the way in, you can use vise-grip pliers to clamp around the head of the screw and turn it counterclockwise. This method may damage the surrounding surface, so proceed with caution.
• Screw Extractor Kits: There are kits available, such as the Pro-Grabbit, that are designed for removing stripped or broken screws. These kits typically use a portable drill to drill out the screw and then extract it.

Removing a Screw with a Broken Head

If the head of the screw is broken or twisted off, you may need to use different methods to remove it, depending on how much of the screw is still exposed:

• Broken Head Above the Surface: If the broken head is still above the surface, you can use locking pliers to grip the screw as close to the surface as possible and gently turn it counterclockwise. Work slowly to avoid snapping off the remainder of the screw.
• Broken at the Surface: If the screw has broken flush with the surface, use a utility knife to carefully cut away some of the surrounding material to expose more of the screw. Then, use locking pliers to grip the exposed shank and turn the screw counterclockwise to remove it.
• Broken Below the Surface: If the screw has broken off below the surface, use a drill bit to widen the screw hole down to the broken end of the screw. Tap around the screw with a nail and hammer to create starter holes, then use a smaller drill bit to bore holes next to the broken screw. Use needle-nose pliers to grip the screw and pull it free.

Remember to work slowly and carefully when removing screws, especially if they are damaged or broken, to avoid further complications or damage to the surrounding materials.

Frequently asked questions