Do you screw in both bolts on VGA cables, just the top one or ignore them altogether?

122 points · 80 comments · view on lemmy.world

80 Comments

offspec@lemmy.nicknakin.com · 108 pts · 1y (7 replies)

Okay I'll bite the bait. THE TOP ONE‽‽‽ What sick form factor are you using with vertical VGA ports?

i_stole_ur_taco@lemmy.ca · 40 pts · 1y (2 replies)

You need to rotate your pc case if the VGA port isn’t vertical. The ground pins always need to be on top so all those grounding electrons weigh down the other conductors to make the data flow more quickly.

tetris11@lemmy.ml · 11 pts · 1y

That's not true. VGA is a horizontal spec with the entire trapezoid housing being the ground contact. The data electrons to one side is due to the earth's axial tilt spinning them into a corner via healing crystals.

Infernal_pizza@lemmy.world · 11 pts · 1y

Uh no, the ground pins need to be at the bottom so they’re near the ground idiot

andrew_bidlaw@sh.itjust.works · 20 pts · 1y (1 reply)

That's when you use the ports placed on the motherboard in a standard verical PC case, meaning the system uses integrated graphics for the visual output instead of deticated videocard. Videocards that are put into MB at 90° are horizontal, right, but in most office setups I handle they are rare nowadays. Videocards are almost exclusively installed when you handle 3d and content rendering in demanding apps, and for office and browser stuff they are too costy after the crypto price hike and in a sanctioned Russia.

Nettops have horizontal motherboards tho.

grue@lemmy.world · 14 pts · 1y

standard verical PC case

Excuse you! Standard PC cases are horizontal:

Jesusaurus@lemmy.world · 14 pts · 1y

Desktop computers that have a vertically standing motherboard.

BearOfaTime@lemm.ee · 6 pts · 1y

Many machines have vertical connectors, if the machine is turned for any reason. Or you're using the on-board card, etc.

AlternateRoute@lemmy.ca · 58 pts · 1y (10 replies)

Haven't plugged in a VGA cable in a long time. As someone else pointed out it depends if it is temporary or long term.. I always screw them in if it is long term

0_0j@lemmy.world · 12 pts · 1y (9 replies)

Haven't plugged in a VGA cable in a long time.

Exactly. What have you done to HDMI and DP ports?

SpaceNoodle@lemmy.world · 24 pts · 1y (8 replies)

DVI is the Gen X of video connectors

SubArcticTundra@lemmy.ml · 11 pts · 1y (6 replies)

VGA is the Boomers and HDMI is the Millenials. Gen-Z is using USB-C.

SpaceNoodle@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 1y (4 replies)

Nobody likes DisplayPort

tetris11@lemmy.ml · 9 pts · 1y

DisplayPort is the cool uncle who is happy to mind the kids for free. A lot of people copy his smooth relaxed style and mannerisms without realising.

atlas@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 1y (2 replies)

you take that back

SpaceNoodle@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 1y (1 reply)

The only reason I have any DisplayPort cables is to support the monitors I stole from work

0_0j@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 1y

Lol

desktop_user@lemmy.blahaj.zone · -1 pts · 1y

and just like the boomers VGA is still thriving

Zombiepirate@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 1y

The cables are extra long so they have plenty of slack, too.

DickFiasco@lemm.ee · 40 pts · 1y (1 reply)

I tighten both screws. With an impact driver. And a dab of LocTite for good measure.

Diplomjodler3@lemmy.world · 9 pts · 1y

Easy there, Satan!

Psythik@lemmy.world · 37 pts · 1y (1 reply)

Both every time but I also haven't used a VGA cable in at least 15 years.

EonNShadow@pawb.social · 11 pts · 1y

Lucky you lmao

I still see them once every so often

In fact, I went onsite to a customer who wanted a new PC set up because the old one "wouldn't boot". Sure enough the cable was sticking out of the monitor at about a 15deg angle. I pushed the VGA cable in a bit extra hard and it came right back.

I was out of there in about 30min.

JustAnOrdinaryCreep@lemmy.ml · 26 pts · 1y

For quickly testing something: fuck screws.

For long-term use: both a tight as I can so I barely can unscrew them later because why not.

scottmeme@sh.itjust.works · 17 pts · 1y (1 reply)

Long term use, at least one

Temporary, fuck the screws all together

flambonkscious@sh.itjust.works · 7 pts · 1y

And it was always temporary!

I've had less fall out than I had cases where the screw stuck in the socket and it started unscrewing out of the motherboard that I just gave up on them altogether

urheber@discuss.tchncs.de · 15 pts · 1y (1 reply)

the one that still works

mumblerfish@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 1y

Yeah, there was always one broken on these fuckers

UKFilmNerd@feddit.uk · 11 pts · 1y

Jesus Christ, both!! 😆 But only finger tight. Sod you bastards who get the screwdrivers out! That's overkill. 😁

Fermion@feddit.nl · 10 pts · 1y (3 replies)

Who does just one? That's worse than not doing either. Since they're captive screws, doing just one can force the connector to wedge in crooked. I've had issues with tightening one too far before starting the threads on the other. Sometimes you have to go back and forth a couple times

andrew_bidlaw@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 1y (2 replies)

After you properly connected it, sealing just one seems okay, isn't it?

BlueSquid0741@lemmy.sdf.org · 4 pts · 1y (1 reply)

If you tighten just one side, it can pull the connector in that direction. Think of tightening heatsink screws unevenly on each side.

andrew_bidlaw@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 1y

These seem way more forgiving tho. Up to the point you can connect it hot and working and it'd go nice.

Sanctus@lemmy.world · 10 pts · 1y (1 reply)

Both, heathens dont bother and they reap what they sow.

BearOfaTime@lemm.ee · 3 pts · 1y

Hahaha, I can't disagree, even as a heathen.

As others have said, depends on how permanent something is

Entropywins@lemmy.world · 9 pts · 1y

I loathe when the stand offs come out with the vga cable!!!!!

unmagical@lemmy.ml · 9 pts · 1y

Both

halykthered@lemmy.ml · 9 pts · 1y

Hand tight, then torque wrench, 7-inch pounds.

Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world · 9 pts · 1y

Pro tip: It's a lot easier f you twist both knobs at the same time using the same motion as opening a bottle cap.

kyub@discuss.tchncs.de · 7 pts · 1y

Well that's retro but I used to only screw in the side that's easier to reach because that already secures it while also allowing you to more easily unplug it again.

Etterra@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 1y

Both. Lose cables are annoying.

TheAlbatross@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 7 pts · 1y
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Vanth@reddthat.com · 7 pts · 1y

A school computer lab with a bunch of grubby-handed students touching and licking and who knows what to every surface? Yes, VGA cables get screwed down.

blackstrat@lemmy.fwgx.uk · 7 pts · 1y

If it's for more than a minute I'll screw in VGA and DVI cables

tiefling@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 6 pts · 1y

VGA cables? You mean grappling hooks?

Romkslrqusz@lemm.ee · 6 pts · 1y

Both, three rotations after the threads catch.

One or none bears the risk of the connector coming out crooked and bending the pins, causing a potential alignment issue on the next connection and bending them further.

Luci@lemmy.ca · 5 pts · 1y

Neither. Trip hazard.

kitnaht@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 1y

I've always screwed them both in very lightly

HurlingDurling@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 1y (2 replies)

I just use HDMI or DP

tetris11@lemmy.ml · 3 pts · 1y (1 reply)

DP

BBC?

Zachariah@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 1y

no, BNC

FartsWithAnAccent@fedia.io · 5 pts · 1y

When I used them, I screwed both in usually.

wildbus8979@sh.itjust.works · 4 pts · 1y (3 replies)

I think this is highly dependent on the setup.. like is this temporary, semi- temporary, or permanent?

andrew_bidlaw@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 1y (2 replies)

Let's say it's for years, but this setup is not moving around at all and it's one of like a hundred of machines you prepare for usage.

wildbus8979@sh.itjust.works · 3 pts · 1y (1 reply)

At least one, probably both.

andrew_bidlaw@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 1y

Got it. I myself was a 'both sides' guy, kek, but gradually descended to just one and it's yet to fail me.

zeekaran@sopuli.xyz · 4 pts · 1y (1 reply)

Lightly screw in one

And then replace my old shit and not touch anything but HDMI or DP for the last ten years.

RestrictedAccount@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 1y

Winner winner chicken dinner

MooseTheDog@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 1y

The real answer is the top one fell out a long time ago.

mwproductions@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 1y

Just one on each end.

Reverendender@sh.itjust.works · 3 pts · 1y

I sure wish my external HDDs had screw in ports. Those things come loose if there's a change in air pressure.

Intergalactic@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 1y (1 reply)

My current job, we test products with these cables, we are required to screw in both when plugging it in, so both.

andrew_bidlaw@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 1y

You have some code to do so?

rtxn@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 1y

It depends.

For my work computer, I screw them in tight, both on the monitor and the DP/VGA adapter.

For stationary devices (like overhead projectors) and extension cords, I screw them in, but not very tight.

For classroom computers, I only screw them in on the monitor and leave them unscrewed on the computer. Students can't keep their legs calm and often snag the cables. I prefer to let the connectors harmlessly disconnect instead of damaging the graphics card or motherboard.

bitchkat@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 1y

You mean all four right?

FuryMaker@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 1y

One if somewhat temporary.

Both if I want 1-2% increase in performance.

InEnduringGrowStrong@sh.itjust.works · 3 pts · 1y

That one standoff got loose 12 years ago, so none.
Otherwise, it's all HDMI and DP.

Dudewitbow@lemmy.zip · 2 pts · 1y

if I HAVE to use vga, and its only being used for 1 computer, than both, else none if im only using it for temporary reason , none.

PetteriPano@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 1y

I plugged one in today. I left the screws loose. Ironically I moved it between two computers that couldn't originally do VGA.

I re-organised my leisure desk. My C64 sometimes hooks up to a TFT thanks to my turbo chameleon 64 cartridge.

Today I hooked my C64 up to my CRT instead. I needed that TFT for my Amiga 1200 which has DVI-I out thanks to my indivision flickerfixer. But I have a DVI->VGA adapter to use that same cable.

hddsx@lemmy.ca · 2 pts · 1y

I don’t screw them in unless it’s in a confined location where the cable is applying pressure to unseat, or if it’s fallen off at least once

StellarExtract@lemm.ee · 2 pts · 1y

Neither, and I never once had the cable fall out. Just imagine the countless seconds I saved from not screwing and unscrewing.

dsilverz@thelemmy.club · 2 pts · 1y (1 reply)
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andrew_bidlaw@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 1y

These sockets without any holes at all look and feel like they need these. These are mostly in notebooks where you do need to secure the connection, and it feels like whenever you put it in it is ready to go off at any second.

Bougie_Birdie@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 2 pts · 1y

Context kind of matters for me, but if I'm screwing any in, it's both of them.

My monitors are on a swivel bar, and plug into the underside. Those get screwed completely in if the cable has screws. But on the desktop, since it doesn't really move and I've never yanked a cable, they're usually left loose.

deadcatbounce@reddthat.com · 1 pts · 1y

Oooooh ! You !

vortexal@lemmy.ml · 1 pts · 1y

I usually screw in both bolts but I still have an old laptop that I use on very rare occasions that doesn't have the screw holes for some reason.

blaue_Fledermaus@mstdn.io · 0 pts · 1y (1 reply)

Both, but the second always gets stuck before the end.

ciapatri@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 1y

Are you fully tightening one side before starting on the other side?

UniversalFlamingo@lemmy.world · -3 pts · 1y (3 replies)

Serial cables. How quaint.

Entropywins@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 1y (1 reply)

Video graphics array connector and DB-9 connectors are not the same.

UniversalFlamingo@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 1y

Having soldered many of both, I should have noticed. I literally just threw out a big pile of both that have been loitering in storage for years. I'm still surprised when old tech (for any random definition of "old") pops up.

vext01@lemmy.sdf.org · 1 pts · 1y

🤦‍♂️