Zenith SJ3271W vertical problem

Since you had been started that fixing,,you may try replacing some electrolytic capacitors near on that vertical IC?..,Dods

Do you have a spare computer to hook up to the monitor to see if the monitor's settings are off vertically?

Can you adjust the vertical size of the image of the monitor?

Are the letters squashed down vertically?

If the letters are squashed down vertically, did the setting for pixel size of the screen get adjusted to another size accidentally in the control panel under display settings?

Can you reset the Acer monitor from the menu?

Nothing you can do unless you have knowledge of Solid State Electronics Servicing. Looks like a couple of Capacitors in the Vertical Deflection Circuits have become bad.

The picture tube is fine.
Those whites lines at the top of the screen are caused by a dry or leaky capacitor(s) nearby the vertical amplifier IC.
Let me know if you require further assistance.

Thank You Matt, This is not an enhanced set. So your friend couldn`t have changed the aspect ratio.

That unfortunately leaves you with a problem in the vertical circuits of the chassis .There is a capacitor going bad. I recommend you take it to your repair shop. First ask for an estimate before you decide you want to repair it. There are no expensive parts involved. Mostly service and labor charges.

Al

It sounds like your vertical has shrunk, causing the picture to look squashed. Most likely a bad component in the vertical output stage.

Mine looks like too, but the line running across isn't on my set, picture looks like this, and the sound works fine. I took the tuner board all the way out and turned the set on and it did the same thing, then I unplugged the top wire on the board next to the tuner board and the screen went black. plugged it back in and the screen came back with the scrambled picture. Anyone know why? Bad mainboard maybe? the left of the tuner board?

Sounds like you have some capacitors that are needing to be changed in the vertical circuit. The cost I cannot quote but, it probably won;t be worth the cost as replacement TV's are much cheaper now. Zeniths and other brands for the longest time have used not controls inside the TV, they are technician adjustments through a service menu only.

Thats is not going to fix your problem. You have a bad vertical output IC and or a bad capacitor in the vertical drive or output circuit. Good Luck

The vertical circuit is going bad,this is the one in charge of opening the picture up and down,try taping on the side to see if the picture reacts ,if it does your set has a loose conection and the vertical IC will need to be resoldered only but if it does not react the IC will have to be replaced,if you are familiar with tv service this will give you a place to start but if you are not be safe and seek the help of a servicer,please let Us know how it goes.