Can you use a dell all in one 2330 as an external monitor, without a CPU?

[kdub42099]

so i'm trying to use a dell all in one 2330 as a monitor for a PC build. I took out the CPU and the hard drive for the computer i am building. SO, my question is, is it possible to even use the All in one PC as a monitor without a cpu?

 

[Eximo]

All-in-Ones are very much like laptops. Generally they will not have a video input and rely on the hardware of the mainboard to directly supply the video signal.

If you wanted to bypass that you would probably have to figure out where the LCD panel is actually connected and attempt to wire that up. Without a pin-out or wiring diagram it would be a bit of guesswork, but I imagine it is a standard connector of some sort.

 

[kdub42099]

All-in-Ones are very much like laptops. Generally they will not have a video input and rely on the hardware of the mainboard to directly supply the video signal.

If you wanted to bypass that you would probably have to figure out where the LCD panel is actually connected and attempt to wire that up. Without a pin-out or wiring diagram it would be a bit of guesswork, but I imagine it is a standard connector of some sort.

 

[kdub42099]

The Monitor has 2 out displays and one in. The monitor seems like it's not getting any power even when the power cable is plugged in the psu. Just wondering if there's a way to bypass this.

 

[Eximo]

Without a working computer I imagine the PSU is just not supplying power to the rest of the system.

I would look for the power going to monitor and supply it the needed voltage directly either with an external power supply or by force starting the onboard supply, but that is me. Really depends on how the monitor is getting power, if the scalar is part of the LCD or onboard the motherboard. Not sure I can give advice in forum post that won't lead to self-injury or component death.

 

[kdub42099]

Thanks for your help!

 

[wkearney99]

It's possible to use one as a monitor, but only if it actually powers up. The buttons on the side will allow changing the input from the computer built into it to the HDMI or VGA input connectors on the back. But only if the screen actually comes to life. If the power light on the back (near the connectors) doesn't come on then there's something else wrong.