Tuesday, March 10, 2009

New Monitor Is Disappointing


Last Saturday I finally got a new computer AOC monitor that was on sale at OfficeMax. What a run around! The old CRT monitor had the connection built-in on the back. I knew the part that plugged into the computer was the blue kind so bought the 19" flat screen AOC monitor, but when I looked at home and saw my old one didn't have that kind of connection on the back, I thought it wouldn't work so returned it. The sales clerks at OfficeMax and also at Best Buy and Staples all told me to that I needed a VGA connection (the blue screw in kind) or it wouldn't work. Not until I stopped in at Computer Outlet was I told it wouldn't matter that the monitor had a different type plug as long as the computer had the right kind. So back to OfficeMax I went to repurchase the one I liked that I found on sale.

After looking for the directions and not finding any except for pictures to follow on how to assemble it, I hooked up the new one and it worked, but the picture looks sort of washed out. A CD came with it so I put that in and read all about this new monitor. Why can't manufacturers keep things simple? A brightness button on the front that works is all I ask. This one though, has a button but when I tried using it, there was very little difference. This monitor has 8 menus with various settings available! After flipping through them all, I discovered that if I used the picture boost at 100%, that gets the contrast and brightness more vivid the way I'm used to it. When I turned the machine off though and back on later, guess what! Back to the washed out colors so I reset it again and looked to see if I missed the "save" somehow but couldn't find one.

On Monday, I found the tech support number and called them about it. After about 15 minutes on the phone with a technician, he said there's no way to save that picture boost setting. Adjusting the contrast and brightness on the other menu didn't really help much so if I want the vivid colors, I have to reset picture boost every time. Unbelievable! On the displayed one in the store it wasn't washed out. I wonder if I should return it and try for a different one or just put up with this one. What would you do?

8 comments:

Mike Golch said...

Me I would try again. I'm just glad that my crt monitor works just fine.

Alan said...

saw you on twitter...anyways...

Return it or it will bug you forever. Not sure what's going on, why not just get a cheapy or free CRT until you buy a new PC one day?

Mary said...

I know that's frustrating!!!! Sorry you had such a bad experience.

Michelle said...

Gosh, I wish I had a good answer for you. What a disappointment for you. If your not happy with your monitor I guess I would return it and look for something your really like. No sense in wasting money.

Daisy said...

I think I would exchange it for a different one. That would drive me crazy!

Anonymous said...

It probably cost a lot of money, and why have that constant frustration? I'd return it.

I bought my first flat monitor- an HP w1907 and I use it with an Acer computer. I just love the monitor to bits! I think HPs make the best monitors.

I wish you the best! Hope this works out for you.

Anonymous said...

I don't don't if that's normal or not for this model. I hate to bother returning it if the replacement one would be the same way. Gerard already threw away the box it came in. Maybe I'll contact the manufacturer and ask if this is normal and if not, they should send me a replacement in 72 hrs. according to their warranty. I just am tired of fussing around already.

I didn't know of anyplace where I could find another CRT monitor or I would have.

The Silver Age Sara said...

Take it back!

Post a Comment