Free Computer... Need help moderizing for my kid

[Sighlass]

Son (kid) got gifted a table computer (no screen)... but I need help help with new tech on hooking a screen up.



Here is the URL to the User Guild PDF (sorta generic for bunch of styles)... this one seems pretty barebones...

https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/thinkcentre_pdf/p330_2nd_gen_tower_ug_en.pdf

[Sighlass]

Continued...

Anyhoo, the old computer screen we have does not seem to be new and will not connect... I know nothing about the more modern connections and as advanced as I got was HDMI connections which this computer is missing.



The computer has a slot marked with HDMI would fit, but it is missing...

Maybe an URL to a computer screen on Amazon we could purchase would be handy. Just knowing what ports types they are would help too.

I guess the ports (3 and/or 4, perhaps #2 also?) in first picture are what you would use... what type of port(s) are they? New to me ... and any tech I have... I run about 10 years behind it seems.

[roamer_1]

On your actual photo, the weird looking green port (topmost left side) is a serial port.
Following downward, the next two ports are Display Ports - Those are monitor hookups. You only need use one (probably either, though sometimes single monitor must go on DP port 1 [Probably topmost]).

If your existing monitor has HDMI - Either an inbuilt cable or a port - will determine whether you need an HDMI to DPM (DP, DPMI) adapter (cheap, 10 bucks or so) or an HDMI to DisplayPort (DP/DPM/DPMI [all same thing]) cable (probably under 20 bucks), or some combination thereof, keeping in mind M/F connectors...

If your existing monitor does not have HDMI, it may have VGA port (small, blue) or a DVI port (Larger, white) - It is possible to go from either one to DisplayPort with a proper adapter, though VGA would not be recommended. DVI will do for jump starting you, but even that is old tech, and you need to start scrounging for a newer monitor, capable of HDMI or DP.

Did you glaze over yet, or did you pick up what I'm putting down? 

I mean, it's me... I start talking geek and go right over folks' heads.

Standing by...

[Sighlass]

Thanks Roamer ! I think I will need this (see link below) and a new monitor .... Yeah old screen he was using was VGA with no HDMI input... My screen has HDMI (was gonna loan him, but could not connect).

https://www.amazon.com/Mbiydeg-DisplayPort-Uni-Directional-Compatible-Streaming/dp/B0F3824RLZ

I like that it comes with 3 so we can possible hook one to the TV and watch streaming movies... In a pinch we can use the TV as a computer screen until we get one that will work for us.

BTW... the ports display "++" beside them... does that mean it is a weird different plug ??? A special port or upgrade?

[roamer_1]

Thanks Roamer ! I think I will need this and a new monitor .... Yeah old screen he was using was VGA with no HDMI input... My screen has HDMI (was gonna loan him, but could not connect).

https://www.amazon.com/Mbiydeg-DisplayPort-Uni-Directional-Compatible-Streaming/dp/B0F3824RLZ

I like that it comes with 3 so we can possible hook one to the TV and watch streaming movies... In a pinch we can use the TV as a computer screen until we get one that will work for us.

Well, I dunno  If you go out and buy an new monitor, it should be DP ready (make sure it is), and will likely come with all the cables necessary... And I dunno your TV - whether it has an existing DP port(s) or not - Likely it is/has HDMI, and will require an adapter (like what you've selected) somewhere along the line. All that is cabling and can be manifested in a number of ways.

Me personally, I don't like to buy converting cables, because they wind up single-use. I like buying straight cables (HDMI2HDMI or DP2DP) and then figger it out with an adapter, whichever way... That way, the cable can be re-used some other way.  convertible cables usually wind up one and done. But that's just me, and I am an adapter queen 😁

Before you go running off to the Best Buy, you might check at Sally Ann's or the Veteran's Pantry... There's a whole bunch of HDMI capable monitors out there for about nothing.

BTW... the ports display "++" beside them... does that mean it is a weird different plug ??? A special port or upgrade?

Dunno. That's just the DP symbol. Could be there was an earlier version that I missed, and those plusses mean a later model (kinda like USB2 and USB3 plug into the same hole) and I missed something... But if it plugs in that hole it'll be alright.
 

[Sighlass]

You rock Roamer... now time for me to do my homework... I know the tv has HDMI inputs, but will get my reading glasses out tomorrow and see if it had DP inputs... Very good info my friend. Also good thought about availability of used monitors in HDMI...

[roamer_1]

You rock Roamer... now time for me to do my homework... I know the tv has HDMI inputs, but will get my reading glasses out tomorrow and see if it had DP inputs... Very good info my friend. Also good thought about availability of used monitors in HDMI...

 

Nuther things... I suppose you already have USB KB and mouse... And sound - If your sound is an RCA jack, you better look for a monitor with the RCA jack port on it, or you will have to convert sound to USB or bluetooth. Sound is presented to the monitor through DVI/HDMI/DP so that's where the RCA port will be, if any