Basic Computer / Monitor Help

[Slugworth]

I've been using an iMac for several years, and haven't kept up to date on all the changes in monitor / cable / cord technology and could use some quick help.  I just got my new MAME computer in the mail (Dell Optiplex 760 -- picture below) and now realize that the cords I have for my monitor are probably out dated.

My monitor has a few different options, but I was going to use the VGA thing... it has 15 pins on my monitor, but it doesn't fit anywhere on the computer.  I assume there is an adapter I could buy, but I've seared around and probably just don't know quite what to call it.  Any ideas?

Is there a different type of connection I could use on this computer that I'm missing?

[Slippyblade]

Need either a better pic or more info.  I looked up the model number you gave and found this which says it does, indeed, have a VGA port.

[Slugworth]

Need either a better pic or more info.  I looked up the model number you gave and found this which says it does, indeed, have a VGA port.

Hmmm... my monitor's connection has 15 pins in it, and my computer only has 10 pins, so the cable isn't connecting them.  Is a 10 pin VGA common, or is it a separate type of connection altogether?  All of mine are 15...

[Slugworth]

Need either a better pic or more info.  I looked up the model number you gave and found this which says it does, indeed, have a VGA port.

Hmmm... my monitor's connection has 15 pins in it, and my computer only has 10 pins, so the cable isn't connecting them.  Is a 10 pin VGA common, or is it a separate type of connection altogether?  All of mine are 15...

Sorry, 9 pins.  I can't count.

[Slippyblade]

A 9 pin connection is either a serial connection or an OOOOOOLLLLLDDDDDDDD video connection, like CGA or monochrome.

[ed12]

no that is your serial port
it has a 15pin vga port right on it
blue port as a rule

ed

[Slugworth]

no that is your serial port
it has a 15pin vga port right on it
blue port as a rule

ed

Not sure if I've zoomed in enough, but if I'm looking at the right port it's only 9 pins.  What about that white port?  Is that anything I can use?  The computer is a Dell Optiplex 760, so I don't think it's that old... I'm just at a loss as to how I need to hook this thing up.

Are there 15 pin to 9 pin adapters I should try?  How about a 15 pin to USB?  Can you connect monitors with USB drives?  My monitor is a HP LA2405WG 24" Widescreen LCD Monitor if that matters.

[Slippyblade]

That 9 pin is a serial port.  The white port above it is your video - it's called DVI.  You can get a DVI to VGA adapter for about $5.

[Skinnysloth]

You can get a dvi to vga adapter as noted above http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=104&cp_id=10419&cs_id=1041903&p_id=2396&seq=1&format=2
or even the cable itself: http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=102&cp_id=10209&cs_id=1020905&p_id=5909&seq=1&format=2

These adapters only work if your dvi connection from your computer is actually transmitting an analog signal.

[JDFan]

You said your monitor has several types of connectors -- Does one of them match the White one on the PC ( ie. does your monitor have a DVI connector ?) If it does you'd be better off just getting a DVI cable and using the DVI connector on both the Monitor and the PC as they are digital connections so are better quality than the analog VGA port.

Here is an article that explains the various connections (biased toward TVs but will give you the info you need and the differences in them)  http://www.cnet.com/news/hdmi-vs-displayport-vs-dvi-vs-vga-which-connection-to-choose/#!

[Slugworth]

You said your monitor has several types of connectors -- Does one of them match the White one on the PC ( ie. does your monitor have a DVI connector ?) If it does you'd be better off just getting a DVI cable and using the DVI connector on both the Monitor and the PC as they are digital connections so are better quality than the analog VGA port.

Here is an article that explains the various connections (biased toward TVs but will give you the info you need and the differences in them)  http://www.cnet.com/news/hdmi-vs-displayport-vs-dvi-vs-vga-which-connection-to-choose/#!

Thanks for the link.  The monitor does have a matching input, so I'll go ahead and order a DVI cable.  Gotta love Amazon Prime. 

Thanks for the help everyone. 

[DaOld Man]

Strange. Paralell printer port but not a VGA port?

[dkersten]

It is becoming more and more rare to find a VGA port on a computer, DVI and HDMI are more and more common, and now Displayport.  I still see serial ports on business computers all the time, but parallel is pretty rare any more.  I guess it makes sense, the OptiPlex line is supposed to be built primarily for business use, and a lot of point of sale computers still make heavy use of parallel and serial interfaces. 

If this user was in Montana I could help him out, I have about a dozen of those adapters, and probably 30 DVI cables just sitting around in a box, lol.  Pretty much every monitor made in the past 8 years has come with both cables, and you only need one or the other, so I filled a box and once it was full I started throwing them away..   

[nitrogen_widget]

I've picked up two 19" widescreen monitors at thrift stores with only VGA.
kinda lame but for ~ $12 i'll happily make them work.

[Slippyblade]

Thrift store scores rock.  The Goodwill in my area has a half-off day every other Saturday and I score most of my parts from those.