Saturday, February 22, 2025

A SECOND GO AROUND WITH MONITORS

     I recently wrote about the challenges of buying a computer monitor. The monitor I bought sometimes had green lines across the screen for a few minutes. I tried  another cord with blue ends and there were not green lines. Well, I was OK with that. 

     However, the micro manager wanted the proper cord that came with the monitor. The store said they couldn't give just a cord from another monitor. The whole monitor would have to be exchanged. So finally, we decided to exchange the first monitor so that we could get the proper cord that would work. 

     Sounds simple? Not quite to fast.

     They didn't have the same monitor for the exchange! They could get the same monitor in seven days but that means I would be without  a computer for seven days. So we decided to take a different model. So there I was setting up another monitor. Physically setting up the monitor was easy but it didn't come on. I knew that there had to be an on switch somewhere , but I couldn't see anything. There was a diagram showing a number of switches but I could not find them on the monitor.

    I finally found the switches. The switch indicators were very faint on the lower right front side. The actual switches were underneath the monitor, How dumb! The switches were black on a black background and very small. They are about 3 mm by 5 mm which is very small. Just imagine old fingers fumbling around to find these switches?

     So at least the cords work for this monitor. I hope it's the last monitor I'll ever need. 

34 comments:

  1. I'm glad you found the power buttons and got the cord issue sorted out. Fortunately my brother set mine up many moons ago. I too have buttons underneath my monitor and I dislike that. My brother seems to have resigned himself from helping me, lol. Last time I got a computer I set it up myself. I think it's the first time I've done that. though I suppose if I really needed help with it my DB or DH would step in.

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    1. Some things are easier and some are more difficult. I set up the last computer but I'm not sure about the next one.

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  2. My power button is on the side of the monitor. I am hoping the large screen monitor I have now last a long time. Take care, have a great week!

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  3. Yeah, I was guessing black on black before I got to that part.

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    1. I have yet to see a reason why things are black on black.

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  4. Those things aren’t senior friendly that’s for sure.

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    1. Development takes place too rapidly for seniors.

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  5. Glad you worked it out. Tech instructions are often so unhelpful!

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    1. The monitor was manufactured in China so you know that instructions have been translated from Chinese.

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  6. Well, I'm glad you got the problem solved, but how frustrating!

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    1. It is frustrating and when you are my age you blame yourself.

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  7. Techno parts are all confusing. The last time I shopped for a monitor, one model was on sale at Sam's. The same model was on sale at MicroCenter, a big local computer store, but for about $2 more. I asked what the difference was. The one that was $2 more included the cord. Bizarre marketing and packaging. Yep, it was listed right on the box of contents. Linda in Kansas

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    1. Most of these issues are OK if you are familiar with up to date technology.

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  8. Problems created by people who aren't very keen on the issues that people can have an issue with. Very poor designing if you ask me.

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    1. It is poor designing. Seniors are out of the lop so their issues are not heard.

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  9. Power button placement doesn't seem to have been given much thought on either our big desktop monitor or my laptop.

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    1. They don't seem to notice that we want buttons in the most convenient place.

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  10. Good job finding the solution and figuring it out!

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  11. They just don't make computers for us old folk!

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    1. ...and there are other things not made for seniors and don't get me going on handicapped issues.

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  12. Those monitor switches are the devil's work!

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  13. Red, What a story! I am disappointed with the guys/gals at the store not giving you more help. They should have unboxed the new monitor and shown you exactly how to get everything wired up and where to turn it on/off and other settings. I know what you mean about the buttons on the monitor … same is true for this monitor I using right now. The buttons are TINY! 😊 Glad you are back in full operation now! John

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    1. Setting up is fine for me. It's just the usage that is cut off from me.

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  14. Hoo boy, Red. I feel your pain. I do feel your pain.

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    1. We had a power outage some time back and I needed to turn the monitor back on. It took me forever to figure out. After reading your post, I tried to figure out where the button was located, just to see if I could. I've lost the button again.

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  15. Who ever designed computer thingys didn't know what they were doing:(

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    1. Well, they didn't know or didn't care and a few other things.

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  16. I hope it's the last monitor you'll ever need too. Getting computers to work that first time is totally frustrating and having gone through this several times since we bought our first one back in 1992, I know exactly how frustrating you felt. Here's to smooth sailing from now on.

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  17. You already had your own personal monitor Keith! She's called The Micro Manager - monitoring your every move.

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  18. I am glad you found the monitor with original cord finally
    Oh yes,we spent much time once on searching for the switches in our first monitor and guess what,we finally found them underneath. Same anger we too felt,why switches in hidden place ,ridiculous

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  19. Good gosh! this makes my head spin. I'm so glad you know how to figure these things out. I just told my son-in-law they need to take another trip to Hawaii and I would pay for it so he can service my computer. They haven't been here in .... gosh... 3 years?

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