Marion's Weblog

The monitor on my Gateway PC has quit working. The computer is only 16 months old so this quite disappointing to say the least. I called Gateway yesterday to see how much it would cost to fix it and it was something like $700. So the question is do I try to fix it myself or do I just buy a new computer. Another option would be to just use the monitor from Duke's old computer. I just want my computer to work!

Comments:

The curse of all-in-one computers.... Of course many of us use all-in-one units: they're called laptops.

Anyway, assuming that you've tried everything in the FAQ, you can use an external monitor instead of the built-in one. Pages 34-35 of the user guide explain how. And you can pick up a 17" Gateway LCD panel for around $300 - far cheaper than a $700 fix.

<small>(All of this info is on the Gateway website.)</small>

Posted by Geoff Arnold on April 24, 2005 at 05:10 PM PDT #

Geoff,
Thanks for the pointers. I stopped on the way home tonight and got a monitor cable so now I am using the monitor on my SunRay 170 to access my Gateway. It is wonderful.
Marion

Posted by Marion Vermazen on April 25, 2005 at 07:37 PM PDT #

Marion, You may also investigate something called a KVM Switch (Keyboard/Video/Mouse I think) that would allow you to hook up your Gateway and your SunRay to one set of Monitory, keyboard and mouse and then switch back and forth instead of moving the cable(s). They're probably available at the same place you stopped the other day.

Posted by Kent Madsen on April 28, 2005 at 03:49 PM PDT #

Thanks Kent, That is a good idea. I know a lot of people use KVM switches and are very happy. Since the 170 has an extra monitor port I don't have to unpluug that cable but the KVM would be nice so I don't have to figure out which mouse and keyboard to use!
Marion

Posted by Marion vermazen on May 11, 2005 at 11:24 AM PDT #