Hi,

I rescued a Gateway GTW-P46M103 plasma TV. Apparently,
these were "dogs" (?). But, for free, the price was just
too hard to resist! ;-)

[I haven't powered it up in a while so I am recalling
symptoms from memory -- essentially, looking for ideas
to test NEXT time I drag it out]

The unit powers up. Before the DTV switch (yes, that
is how long it has been neglected, here), it would
receive analog broadcasts but display them "offscreen".
I.e., imagine dragging the image (the entire rectangle
that surrounds it) up and to the left so that only
the right side and bottom remain visible on the
physical screen. (!)

Note that the annunciators/indicators that the TV would
normally display "on screen" (volume level, channel, etc.)
still appear where they were supposed to -- often in those
parts of the screen that the video image seems to be avoiding!
(i.e., the panel appears operative "everywhere"; its just
trying to get the video to fit onto the screen where it is
*intended* that is the problem).

At the very least, I figured I could try alternate inputs
(PC, VCR, etc.) to see if the problem is related to a particular
portion of the circuit (e.g., if the tuner is putting out bad
sync information).

Of course, any sort of documentation is unobtainable.
It also appears that replacement parts may be an issue
with these. From the posts I have seen related to
Gateways products, it almost appears that there was
a *feud* between the maker of the TV and Gateway just
prior to Gateway's demise and the manufacturer almost seems
delighted NOT to support the product (?)

Any pointers on where to start? Otherwise I can probably just
part it out on eBay (since parts seem to be so difficult to
obtain, I imagine there must be a market for them!)

Thanks!
--don

The unit powers up. Before the DTV switch (yes, that's how
long it has been neglected, here), it would receive analog
broadcasts but display them "offscreen". I.e., imagine dragging
the image (the entire rectangle that surrounds it) up and to the
left so that only the right side and bottom remain visible on the
physical screen. (!)

Two possibilities. Check to see where the "offset" is set (the controls that
let you position the image on the screen). Also check to see where the
"display" setting is -- automatic, dot-by-dot, full screen, 4:3, etc.

William Sommerwerck wrote:
The unit powers up. Before the DTV switch (yes, that's how
long it has been neglected, here), it would receive analog
broadcasts but display them "offscreen". I.e., imagine dragging
the image (the entire rectangle that surrounds it) up and to the
left so that only the right side and bottom remain visible on the
physical screen. (!)

Two possibilities. Check to see where the "offset" is set (the controls that
let you position the image on the screen). Also check to see where the
"display" setting is -- automatic, dot-by-dot, full screen, 4:3, etc.

Is this a *service* setting? Or, a *customer* setting?
(IIRC, I don't recall seeing anything that looked more
sophisticated than typical TV controls)

Two possibilities. Check to see where the "offset" is set (the controls
that let you position the image on the screen). Also check to see
where the "display" setting is -- automatic, dot-by-dot, full screen,
4:3, etc.

Is this a *service* setting? Or, a *customer* setting?
(IIRC, I don't recall seeing anything that looked more
sophisticated than typical TV controls.)

These are customer settings. There might also be service settings that
apply.

My suggestion is a guess -- there might not be anything thing wrong with the
set other than misadjustment.

These are commonly called 'aspect' settings. Positioning is
usually a sub menu called 'screen'. If the OP can see that
menu on screen to get to it this may be all that is wrong.
My guess it's more than that, usually the owner exhausts
every possibility before tossing a 46" set to the curb.

Agreed, but the user might not be aware of them.

It's probably "something else", but it can't hurt to check...