Radio Shack Portavision (color CRT) suddenly died, dark out-of-focus image

[Findm-Keepm]

Originally Posted by mstaton

That blob may have turned conductive. Just a thought

+1 - the focus voltage loves to find a path to ground. That goop is there to keep the CRT socket on during shipping, Carefully remove it from the socket and neck, and see if the problem disappears.

[CPQ5360]

Thanks - I'll give it a shot. Any special precautions I need to take? I'm not at all comfortable working on a CRT - it's one of the few things I refuse to touch as an electronics hobbyist. I don't own an HV-insulated screwdriver, and I also don't know how durable the neck of the tube is, should the screwdriver I use to pry off the goop slips and strikes the neck of the tube.