Noob to PC monitors, help

[peterchan55]

I am completely new to desktops I have had a laptop for years, I recently purchased a desktop and just today went and got a monitor for it.

The monitor only came with a vga cable and a power cable and heres a pic of the vga cable which does not fit into the back......... http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/826/image7qx.jpg/

whats the problem what do I need
heres a pic of the back
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/7/image1yhf.jpg/

 

[computernewb]

those are dvi ports. you need a vga to dvi converter
http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-DVI-Cable-Adapter-DVIVGAMF/dp/B000067SOH

 

[peterchan55]

I think that will work do I have to use both because the back of my monitor has a "female" vga

 

[computernewb]

use both ports? if you are hooking up 2 monitors then you can use the 2 dvi ports or the hdmi on the far right

 

[peterchan55]

only 1 monitor and I only have one vga cable and its "male" (with spikes) and the monitor is a female vga and the desktop is a male

 

[computernewb]

you just need 1 adapter between the back of your case and your vga cord if thats why youre asking.

 

[peterchan55]

So I would get this? the only thing I need is that vga female adapter
http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-DVI-Cable-Adapter-DVIVGAMF/dp/B000067SOH

 

[computernewb]

yep thats all you need. you dont have to buy it from amazon if theres a local store you can get it from (radio shack, best buy, frys, etc). then you dont have to wait for shipping

 

[cougs_83]

The part you are being told to get is correct. The back of your computer is not a male port. You are looking at the wrong port. the video card is below. On the back of your pc look at the blue tabs down the back. The third one down is your video card. It has two dvi and an HDMI ports. If you get the part you were told you needed it will fit either of the two DVI ports.

 

[peterchan55]

The part you are being told to get is correct. The back of your computer is not a male port. You are looking at the wrong port. the video card is below. On the back of your pc look at the blue tabs down the back. The third one down is your video card. It has two dvi and an HDMI ports. If you get the part you were told you needed it will fit either of the two DVI ports.

what?

 

[cougs_83]

http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-DVI [...] B000067SOH

this is the part you need.

"So I would get this? the only thing I need is that vga female adapter "

This is incorrect you don't have a vga port on your pc you only have a video card with two DVI ports there is no VGA port.

I think you are thinking the com port is a vga port.

in the picture below it is listed serial port (dial up modem) tell me if I am wrong

http://tinyurl.com/7uuutkg

This is not a VGA port and doesn't support video. If you get the part from the first link you will be able to plug your vga cable into the DVI port on the video card which is your only option since there is no onboard video.

 

[peterchan55]

thanks for making it clear you are right it is a
"dial up"...if you go to the picture on amason were you can buy the adapter I only need,
the black one, because the the female vga adapter is pointless then.. so can I buy them separate?

 

[peterchan55]

Best answer selected by peterchan55.