Why is my screen so dim?
 

Every CRT monitor that I've had at work (I've been through three or so) has been kinda dim; often, I can't even see the photos that people post. Changing computers (Windows machines) doesn't help either. I've cranked the contrast all the way up, and the brightness is about 90%.

Back home on my Mac CRT, everything is bright and clear. Am I missing something on my work Windows machine?

I'll take a guess and say that the monitors that you have at work are all old, and that is why they are all dim. other possibilities (not as likely), the connection between monitor/pc is bad (monitor cable or something) or maybe something weirder like the resolution/refresh rate.

I would say maybe some sort of Adobe Gamme loader fuck-up. But if you changed machines, and it didn't help, I'm not sure. I've only heard of this problem one other time, and he never got it fixed. It was his monitor though, not the PC. I'm gonna say they are old and decrepit or something along those lines like heya256. Just wore out maybe? Refurbished?

How bright is the light where you work, if there is too much ambiant light then it could make the screen seem dim. If their is too much light try putting a shade aroung the screen.

Adobe Gamma is a definite possibility here. As well as old and decrepit monitors where the CRT in them is just not performing as well as they used to. Maybe a combination of the two. In other words, I'm just seconding what Redjake and Heyal256 are putting forth.

Sounds like an Adobe Gamma issue to me. Or maybe the monitors are wearing out. So basically what everyone else has said. Ok, ok, sorry...I had to do it. :)

-Lasereth

Ambient light isn't the issue; it looks bad in any light.

Each monitor was new when I got it, some Sonys, and presently a ViewSonic E55. And the brightness issue was from the beginning. They are only 15" CRTs, maybe it just isn't the best technology.

OK, so... ummm... Adobe Gamma? Never heard of it, but I just Googled it, and it appears to be part of Photoshop, which I don't have. The only Adobe stuff on my computer is Acrobat Reader. Might I have it somewhere?

right click the desktop and choose the properties option. then go to the settings tab and hunt around there. sometimes in the box that pops up when you hit the advanced button has some gamma correction options that will prop an old dim monitor up for a while before it becomes completely unusable.

Something that hasn't been brought up... I've had some weird things like this happen when there was bad power. Make sure that you have your monitor attached to a UPS, or try a different plug. Test the voltage output from the plugs you are using, and make sure you have a good ground. Since you have tried several different monitors (and pc's??) it would seem logical that something at your location could be causing the problem. I just can't imagine that many monitors all being bad.