Very strange problem with computer and HDMI

[xnefc]

We have a Gateway (DX series) computer, which I understand doesn't have a huge power supply. We have four flat panel TVs, two of which are plasma:

50" plasma Philips
15" plasma Polaroid
32" LCD Vizio
23" LCD Polaroid

The Gateway is new and had a bad hard drive, which Gateway replaced. Post the HD failure, and return of the computer, we hooked it up again to the 50" for about 30 minutes while the computer sent HDMI signal to the TV just fine and we installed the OS. Then, it no longer worked. No signal; simply stopped working.

Similarly, we cannot get an HDMI signal on any of our other TVs using this computer.

We took the computer to Geek Squad who hooked it up to their monitor, and, using an HDMI cable, made it work just fine.

We then purchased a Rocketfish cable, just like they had at GeekSquad.

Took it all home, hooked it all up, and, nothing. Not on any of our TVs.

We have even been trying different power cords, thinking maybe it's a power cord issue and we accidentally are using a different power cord than the computer came with. The computer is known to be sort of low on power supply, so...trying to be logical, and, quite desperate, we are trying everything we can think of.

Nothing is working. Is there some sort of secret order of operations we can't figure out? Any help at all is appreciated in advance.

 

[xnefc]

This problem we are having is really not so strange and I want to post a followup for people searching on this subject.

We had the 50" Philips taken in for repair under warranty. A new SSB was installed. This should fix the problem of failed HDMI signal on any given TV of this type. The part seems to cost between $125 and $300 online, it's hard to tell. So, if you have this problem with your TV, a new SSB is likely the fix.

For us, this didn't solve the problem but that was due to poor installation of the SSB. The repair company didn't test the HDMI signal after installing it and testing it should be standard procedure before returning it to the customer. So unfortunately for us this was a fluke. Not only didn't the HDMI work but the cable connection broke off when we needed to disconnect it a week later.

I can understand why people get so upset over large flat panels needing servicing.

We opened the back of the TV up and had a look. This small signal board is pretty fragile in the areas where it needs to be most sturdy. First a flimsy cable connector: All our other TVS have cable connections which are secured in place by a bolt on the outside of the TV, a bolt around the connector connecting it tightly to the TV. On this Philips, there is no such thing. The board is simply put in place so that all the connectors come out the bottom of the TV and this makes it difficult to even hook up the cable. So, as you are tightening your cable connector to the TV you are putting pressure directly onto the SSB, essentially. The way the board is positioned at the back of the TV makes it highly likely that no matter how you try not to allow tension on this part, the cable cord is not flexible enough to prevent an amount of tension that will, inevitably, cause the board itself to become loose and fail. Anyone who owns this model TV is going to have problems at some point with this, there is no way around it.

Next the HDMI ports. These are extremely fragile looking pieces hooked up next to the cable connector. They are pieces of thin metal, like tin, not even an inch long in either direction, which are connected ever so precariously to the board then screwed in with one tiny screw each. They seem to want to snap into place. How do I know this? One of them was loose already and this is a brand new board.

There are then AV1 AV2 and a Digital Audio Out connector also, on this same board. These look much sturdier but we don't use them.

All I can say is be careful when you connect things to the back of your giant TV and don't allow tension to pull on the connectors. Expect problems unless you rarely if ever move your TV or have to disconnect/reconnect it. Even then. Tension from the cable cord combined with any movement can damage the board itself. I am not an authorized repairer of anything and simply by looking at this board I can tell you this.

In addition, do not allow a repair shop to return your TV to you unless they have verified that the TV actually works. If they come into your house and hook it up after delivery, even better, but we were told it is "highly unusual" for the delivery guys to plug the TV in, hook it up, etc.