Why do VGA cables screw in?

**Chilling_Silence** · 30-07-2009, 01:52 PM

Its always bugged me, whats the point ?

Seriously USB doesnt, PS/2 doesn't, Serial ports don't, HDD cables don't ... LAN cables "clip" in place, but whats the point in having the ability to screw in a monitor?

Personally I never do, but it bugs me when some people do them up *so* tight and they kinda get stuck there ...

</rant>

But anyways, I'm curious, why do VGA / DVI cables screw in? Even HDMI doesnt have that option?

Chill.

**SolMiester** · 30-07-2009, 02:23 PM

The pins a bit more sensitive than all of the others you have listed.....that may get disassembled...

**Gobe1** · 30-07-2009, 02:31 PM

Probably inherited from the old days too. Maybe power surge problems if you pull them out and put them in with the monitor on????

**wratterus** · 30-07-2009, 03:17 PM

Hear hear. I never use the screw in pins on them anyway. IMO it's more likely to get damaged from people trying to pull them out with the plug still screwed in, seen a few people walk in with the entire VGA assembly attached to their monitor cable that they had ripped off the motherboard...no joke.

A new graphics card later, they are all up and running again. Seen that...probably 5 or 6 times now. Just had another one today.

Seems pointless, there is no power surge or anything from plugging and unplugging a VGA cable when it's running. May the day soon come when everyone uses HDMI cables.

**PCT Joe** · 30-07-2009, 03:22 PM

Yeah, im useing a VGA LCD montior(not screwed it), but i have the option for dvi and hdmi. Im waiting to get a 22" widescreen...

**pctek** · 30-07-2009, 03:28 PM

So confused people who don't know its screwed in and pull really hard and rip the connector off the card or motherboard.

(had that happen with a customer)

**CYaBro** · 30-07-2009, 03:41 PM

I think it is because the plug itself is a lot heavier than say a USB plug or PS/2.
Serial ports and parallel ports do screw in.
I do use them but only just to hold the plug in.

**sammo450** · 30-07-2009, 04:05 PM

Yeah the cables are stiff and heavy, so can tend to pull itself out.

**CYaBro** · 30-07-2009, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by pctek

So confused people who don't know its screwed in and pull really hard and rip the connector off the card or motherboard.

(had that happen with a customer)

Yea had that before too.
Someone brought a machine for repair and they had just pulled so hard on the VGA cable that it had ripped the VGA socket off the mainboard!

**JJJJJ** · 30-07-2009, 06:36 PM

Back in the 386/486 days all the cables entering the back of the computer were screwed in except the power cable.
Even then with my limited knowledge it seemed to me the only one that needed screwing was the power cable