This is not about lizards or teacher-appointed tattletales.
I inherited a monitor for a computer, and I noticed that one of the pins in the cable is bent (to the point that is not making contact with anything). I suspect that’s why it’s not firing up.
I’ve looked around at a couple of electronics stores, but haven’t seen any monitor-computer cables (other than extensions). However, when I look at the back of the monitor, it seems that the cable could possibly come out–i.e., the cable doesn’t just disappear into the back–but I’m afraid to *pull too hard.
So, is this a hopeless cause? Are the computer cables for the monitors permanently locked in, thus accounting for my lack of success finding replacements?
(If it makes any difference, I think it’s an Acer.)
*I don’t know why, though. It’s not working now. If I pulled too hard and broke something, it still wouldn’t work. As Mr. Miyagi would say, “Either way–problem solved.”
The cable can be replaced or repaired, but I would not recommend doing it yourself. The insides of monitors are filled with things that can make you need surgery.
If the cable does not terminate at the monitor with a connector similar to the one you plug into the computer, do not try to remove it. I think I know the “look” you are describing, but it is not what it looks like (a squarish plug recessed into the monitor carcass). Look in your yellow pages for “Computer Repair” and get some quotes … you’ll probably get off pretty cheap.
Monitors, not that lizard kind, dont use all the pins. When they were expensive I once just straightened a pin & was
real gentle with it & it plugged in & it was fine. Another time I i needed to put in a pin so I just cut out the back
of the plug & inserted a pin (piece of metal from a safety pin). But with how cheap monitors are these days
its way better to buy a new one… then mess with it & risk doing something to your computer.
I will second this. DO NOT go inside your monitor for ANY reason unless you are a trained TV/monitor technician and actually know what you are doing. Of most concern are some capacitors insode the monitor that hold a significant charge even if the monitor is turned off and unplugged. Touch one of those the wrong way and it will definitely hurt very bad and possibly even kill you. A guy I used to work with was a licensed monitor repair guy and he did accidentally touch one of these things once. I don’t remember the specifics but he got a ‘minor’ (as these things go) third degree burn to his hand. Nothing that wouldn’t heal with time but he said it hurt like hell for a long time.
I will say watch out for TV repair guys. I once took my TV in to be repaired and by the time I was done their repair cost could have bought me a new TV (which they never bothered letting me in on). That’s my fault for getting taken but considering a new monitor can cost as little as $150 it doesn’t take much in the repair area to get close to that number. I’m not saying don’t do it but ask for a free estimate before work begins so you can make an informed choice.
Just get a little piece of metal and stick it in the hole in your video card that matches up with the missing pin so that it makes contact whan you plug the monitor in.
