Laptop/TV connection issues - a little help please?

Serif · 13-10-2008, 02:31

I've gone and bought myself a Mirai 22" LCD TV from Novatech. Great price at 170 sheets, supports 1080i for the xbox, has a built-in CI slot for sentanta cards and a VGA connection.

This last thing I'm struggling with, but not as much now as when I started! Essentially, after having to adjust loads of things on the configuration set-up, I'm pretty much done, but one problem remains.

Every so often (about once every 30 seconds or so) the image on the TV goes blank for a split second, then the picture is restored, and it's accompanied by that alert noise that vista makes when you plug in/take out something of the USB port.

I'm connecting the TV up to my laptop - a Samsung R40 plus, which has an ATI Radeon xpress 1250 graphics card - via a Belkin VGA cable, which is a male-to-male connection on both ends.

The one thing I noticed is that on the VGA port on the laptop, there's no holes either side of the port for the pins on the cable heads to screw into, and so the cable's only sat in the port. Could this be part of the problem? Essentially, I think it's a loose connection somewhere, but I've checked and can't find anything that strikes me as a worry.

Can anyone help?

RobAnt · 13-10-2008, 02:37

What you don't say is whether or not the problem remains when connected to your laptop or XBox.

If it does, then I would suggest that the monitor is faulty and should be replaced under warranty.

It would seem as though the computer is "hunting" for the monitor, finding it, then losing it again and searching afresh. This could well be a problem with the monitor or monitor cable.

So long as the connection is properly made, the screw points aren't that much of a problem. Just check by pushing the plug.

Serif · 13-10-2008, 03:22

Thanks for your commet. I'll give Novatech a call tomorrow and see what they say as well.

As for the xbox and the laptop on its own, it's all fine, just the connection between the laptop and the moniter that's out.

sancheeez · 13-10-2008, 10:11

My setup it very similar.

Laptop to LCD TV via VGA and there are no screwholes for the VGA plug on the laptop. Can't say I've ever had the problem you describe.

I'd be tempted to blame the TV ......

Serif · 13-10-2008, 18:14

Turned out it was the cable itself.

I got a slightly more expensive one, no problems at all.

Just goes to show that you shouldn't always be stingey on cables!

Nigel Goodwin · 13-10-2008, 22:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serif

Turned out it was the cable itself.

I got a slightly more expensive one, no problems at all.

Just goes to show that you shouldn't always be stingey on cables!

No, it shows you had a duff cable.

RobAnt · 14-10-2008, 14:12

I've had £50 cables come apart or with lose connections/dry solder joints that have lasted 2 days, and £3 cables still going strong after more than 10 years use. I'm afraid price isn't the only measure of quality.

13-10-2008, 02:31	#1
Serif Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Portsmouth, UK Posts: 352	Laptop/TV connection issues - a little help please? I've gone and bought myself a Mirai 22" LCD TV from Novatech. Great price at 170 sheets, supports 1080i for the xbox, has a built-in CI slot for sentanta cards and a VGA connection. This last thing I'm struggling with, but not as much now as when I started! Essentially, after having to adjust loads of things on the configuration set-up, I'm pretty much done, but one problem remains. Every so often (about once every 30 seconds or so) the image on the TV goes blank for a split second, then the picture is restored, and it's accompanied by that alert noise that vista makes when you plug in/take out something of the USB port. I'm connecting the TV up to my laptop - a Samsung R40 plus, which has an ATI Radeon xpress 1250 graphics card - via a Belkin VGA cable, which is a male-to-male connection on both ends. The one thing I noticed is that on the VGA port on the laptop, there's no holes either side of the port for the pins on the cable heads to screw into, and so the cable's only sat in the port. Could this be part of the problem? Essentially, I think it's a loose connection somewhere, but I've checked and can't find anything that strikes me as a worry. Can anyone help?

13-10-2008, 02:37	#2
RobAnt Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South West Posts: 10,218	What you don't say is whether or not the problem remains when connected to your laptop or XBox. If it does, then I would suggest that the monitor is faulty and should be replaced under warranty. It would seem as though the computer is "hunting" for the monitor, finding it, then losing it again and searching afresh. This could well be a problem with the monitor or monitor cable. So long as the connection is properly made, the screw points aren't that much of a problem. Just check by pushing the plug.

13-10-2008, 03:22	#3
Serif Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Portsmouth, UK Posts: 352	Thanks for your commet. I'll give Novatech a call tomorrow and see what they say as well. As for the xbox and the laptop on its own, it's all fine, just the connection between the laptop and the moniter that's out.

13-10-2008, 10:11	#4
sancheeez Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,762	My setup it very similar. Laptop to LCD TV via VGA and there are no screwholes for the VGA plug on the laptop. Can't say I've ever had the problem you describe. I'd be tempted to blame the TV ......

13-10-2008, 18:14	#5
Serif Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Portsmouth, UK Posts: 352	Turned out it was the cable itself. I got a slightly more expensive one, no problems at all. Just goes to show that you shouldn't always be stingey on cables!

13-10-2008, 22:47	#6
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by Serif Turned out it was the cable itself. I got a slightly more expensive one, no problems at all. Just goes to show that you shouldn't always be stingey on cables! No, it shows you had a duff cable.

14-10-2008, 14:12	#7
RobAnt Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South West Posts: 10,218	I've had £50 cables come apart or with lose connections/dry solder joints that have lasted 2 days, and £3 cables still going strong after more than 10 years use. I'm afraid price isn't the only measure of quality.

DS Forums

Laptop/TV connection issues - a little help please?