On a hunch (the guy said it would evenually start and then be ok) that the recent cold weather may be an issue, I got out the heat gun and began aiming it around the board. At 1st no joy so I started different spots and then tried it again. This time I heard the very distinctive degaussing noise and pop the screen comes alive.
So now I have to check some stuff out. I have a funny feeling it may be the silly variester that may be part of the deguassing. Anyway at least I have a plan. I will try a few more times to see if I can isolate the spot that needs the heat.