found it
i couldn't wait - figured it had dischared enough to get close (but still not to touch).
found the pins, plugged in the harness. buttoned it back up. powered up, color blobs are gone, seems fine!
and yes, my old proscan was also a CTC169 chassis.
i was taking out the trash at the apartment today, and what do i see sitting next to the dumpster but this big ol' RCA TV, with remote and power cable sitting on top.
i humped it back to my place, let it sit a few hours to warm up, plugged it in, and lo - it works. appears to be the same...