Computer Monitor

I fixed my computer monitor this morning. I'm feeling very pleased with myself for it, more pleased than the actual task really warrants. The saga of the Limp Computer Monitor (yes, you read that right) has been going on for several months. I have a very groovy, nicely designed Samsung monitor with a hinged base that allows you to adjust the height and angle of the monitor quite easily. You can (could) make it as high or as low as you want, and even turn the whole rectangular screen to a vertical orientation. I'm not sure why you'd want to--maybe some kind of graphics application? Anyway, this baby could do it. Except over time, a fatal flaw was revealed to me. The hinge began to slowly wilt. It lost its flexibility. You could still turn the screen, but it didn't matter because you couldn't get the hinge stretched out enough to allow it. Finally my lovely screen was sadly at rest, held up only by the surface of my little computer desk. I could raise it an inch or so, and then it would immediately settle back into its former position.So I was looking down down down all the time.

Fortunately, Samsung has a generous warranty of three years from the time of purchase, so I called up, and they were very friendly and helpful, and they said they would send a replacement base right away.  I was amazed at how easy it was. 7-10 business days!  Yay!

This was in October.

At the beginning of December, feeling a little disgruntled, I called again. I got another friendly and helpful soul, who was apologetic and understanding about the confusion. Sorry! That other customer service person must have fouled up! Geez! Let me fix that right up! We'll send the part within 7-10 business days!

Two days ago, January 16th, I called again. Reached a third helpful person who finally seemed to figure things out. Seems the part is on some kind of permanent back order; he will send me an entire monitor, to arrive at UPS, at which time I will bring in my old monitor, and switch it out with the new (reconditioned) one. Or I can take the thing apart right there at UPS and just take the hinged base. I got a number and everything.

Yesterday, I went outside to find two large boxes on my porch. And yes, you guessed right. Both of the hinged bases that I had previously requested arrived on the very same day, and I'm expecting an entire monitor in another few days. Dammit. Now I have to figure out whether to keep the extra base (can I? Will they send the Samsung SWAT team to retrieve it if I don't?) in case this new one also wilts. And what of the other monitor, which now I don't need? Do I have to call them again, and navigate their ridiculous phone tree, and go to UPS (which is in another town) to sort things out?

I'll think about that tomorrow. Anyway. When I opened one of the boxes, there was the base, all clean and modern looking except for the part that attaches to the monitor, which looked like one of the gut parts of the original Terminator. Like screws and lots of little bundled up wires and bare metal. Intimidating, is what I'm trying to say. And really, I don't even know why, because I actually built my computer before this one, even though I didn't have the first idea how, and now can't even imagine why I would attempt such a thing. I think it had to do with trying to get it cheap. And the assembled computer even worked, though never as well as it should have because it turns out all those little bits and parts need to actually know each other-- like they've already been introduced, and are pretty good buds. Because any bit that is a stranger, or a little hostile, can slow down and even foul up the whole kit and caboodle. And apparently I don't understand the subtleties of these bits and pieces' social life.

So I'm going on and on about all this, but the bottom line is that I managed to figure out how to pop the back off and undo the old base and attach the new one and plug in all the appropriate little wires to the circuit board and then close the whole thing up. And lo, it all works! Actually, a monkey could do it. Nevertheless, I'm very pleased with myself. And also I have managed to write an entire post about a subject that only I could possibly be interested in. If you have managed to get down this far, congratulations, and thank you for your time (that you will never ever get back. Please don't be bitter).

Comments

[Mobile Workstation Cart]

For the safety of computer we should use a computer cart. These are easily available in the market these days.

[Home Intercom Systems]

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