Can I Still Connect My Old Computer to a Monitor with a Broken VGA Port?
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OldTechEnthusiast23
I recently stumbled upon an old computer that's nearly 15 years old and wanted to get it running again. The problem is, it only supports VGA and the thumbscrew ports are messed up—one is completely ripped off and the other is missing. Is there any way I can still connect this computer to a monitor, or is the damage too severe? Here's a picture of the VGA port: https://ibb.co/kgVB3621
Answers
Before buying any adapters, check if you can find a working VGA monitor. That might save you a hassle if you already have one available!
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If you have a VGA monitor, just get a standard VGA to VGA cable, and it should work fine. But if you want to use an HDMI display, you'll need a special adapter. Just make sure it's a VGA-to-HDMI adapter, as many are one-way and won't work the other way around.
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The thumbscrews really just hold the VGA cable in place, so technically, you can still use it without them as long as the cable doesn't come loose. However, fixing it could help if you're worried about stability.
TechieTim: Yeah, I tried connecting it too, but it doesn’t seem to show anything on the monitor no matter what I do.
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If you're in desperate need of a thumbscrew, you might be able to borrow one from a nearby COM port, as they could be compatible.
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As long as the VGA cable is secure, you should be fine. The screws are just for retention, not for any data transfer, so don’t worry too much about that part. Just make sure the monitor is set to the right input!
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OldTechEnthusiast23: I actually have a VGA monitor, but it’s not the issue; the screw ports are broken.