My TV died, and when I try to turn it on, the power light blinks a couple of times and then the unit shuts down. Is the blinking power light displaying a code? Is there a list somewhere that tells me what the codes mean?

That would depend on the brand and model, don't you think? How can you expect anyone to give you specific information without at least that minimal info. Does it continue to blink? Is it exactly a "couple of times?"

That would depend on the brand and model, don't you think? How can you expect anyone to give you specific information without at least that minimal info. Does it continue to blink? Is it exactly a "couple of times?"

Samsung TXM3297HF.

From what I can best tell, this is the order that it blinks: (this is after the initial power-on melody)

2 seconds on
Split second off
2 seconds on
Split second off
3 seconds on
Split second off

Split second would be a technical term.

The condescension really wasnt necessary.

Sorry, not trying to condescend. It is simply fact that if you want specific info, you have to be very detailed in providing sypmtoms and a description of the product.

Does the pattern continue or does it stop? Detail is necessary.

It continues, does not go away. It started randomly, and the unit has not worked since it started happening. like I said, the power light blinks, and I believe it is shouting out an error code, but I'm not sure. I've heard it may be the power supply, maybe the lamp (? It's a CRT), among a whole multitude of other things.

Actually, I just checked, and there is no documentation on this model of error codes.

There is no lamp in CRT sets, though these have been known to have a bad deflection yoke occassionally, which can only be replaced by changing the CRT. More common are problems with bad solder joints on the flyback. Could be any number of problems, however, and some skilled troubleshooting is likely needed.

I got my hands on the service manual and schematics. I'm going to take a look at the flyback, as you weren't the first person to cite that as a problem area.

Him, why not just take this opportunity to replace that old CRT with a shiney new HDTV?

There is no lamp in CRT sets, though these have been known to have a bad deflection yoke occassionally, which can only be replaced by changing the CRT.

Hmm, on all the sets i've taken apart the deflection was removable. However i do agree that it's not easy to find a match without having to order from China. :p But if the deflection was broken there would be a really bright line or dot at the center of the screen.

Hmm, on all the sets i've taken apart the deflection was removable. However i do agree that it's not easy to find a match without having to order from China. :p But if the deflection was broken there would be a really bright line or dot at the center of the screen.

Oh really? Never saw one with a bad yoke that did not shut down. The only way that you can get a line or a spot is if the set is running with high voltage and still driving the CRT. Nearly all modern CRTs just shut down or go into some form of beam limiting to protect from this kind of condition, and protect against burning the phosphors.

Things may have changed, but last I checked the yoke was not available as a part discrete from the CRT. While it may be possible to find a goo used one, my guess is that most of these sets that have been scrapped at this point have been for that reason.

No way to determine much without some troubleshooting, anyway. Lots of other stuff to verify and rule out before jumping to conclusions.

Well, the truth is that i haven't really worked on modern sets, so you're probably right.

Newest set i messed around with was a Thomson bought three years ago, and it was for focus adjustments and turning the deflection a bit to straighten the image, not for any repairs. All TVs i did repairs on were from the mid 80s-mid 90s.