Not sure what this DVI-like port on my PC is

Question

I have a re-manufactured HP Compaq dc7700p Small Form Factor running Windows XP (for some reason inside the Windows Vista Boot Manager, instead of the WinXP NTLDR).

On the back of my PC, I have what looks like a DVI Port, and that's what I thought it was. When I bought a DVI to VGA Cable (to connect a second screen), it wouldn't fit. I took a look and found that the DVI connector was different to the port on my PC. I would love to post some pictures, but being a new user, I can't.

enter image description here What I want to know is what port this actually is, so that I can find a suitable converter.

The only difference between this and DVI is at the end with the 4 square pins and the +-shaped pin. The + pin is still there, but instead of the 4 dots, I have two flat lines underneath the squares (above the +), which are of the length of 2 of the squares.

You can upload the picture somewhere and Psy a link. Someone with image posting rights can post it then — Canadian Luke, Jan 26 '13 at 16:09
I have just updated with a description. Does this help? (Thanks for the quick reply!) — itskdog, Jan 26 '13 at 16:12
@Hennes - The front is the same, but the back is completely different. I will try and link to an image of it: http://sdrv.ms/VeeE1Y (My DVI Cable: http://sdrv.ms/VeeGXC ) — itskdog, Jan 26 '13 at 16:33
General comment: My cable is DVI-I, and my PC has DVI-D (Dual link) but with those two lines you can see (thanks @Hennes!) — itskdog, Jan 26 '13 at 16:43
Looking at the photo it should be obvious. If you can't see it in the real cable then I must be mistaken. — Kyle Jones, Jan 26 '13 at 16:44
Is this a better image? https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=245843B2122C0CFE!1418&authkey=!AHMQiM38tDs7ebI — itskdog, Jan 26 '13 at 17:03

score 5 · Answer 1 · edited Jan 26 '13 at 17:12

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Looks like DVI-D to me too. Maybe this cable is what you're looking for.

edited Jan 26 '13 at 17:12

lmcanavals

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answered Jan 26 '13 at 16:47

newpoison

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You're correct. This is DVI-D (digital video only). He can't use a DVI-to-VGA cable. (The two extra slots are to allow VESA PnD connectors to fit. They're not connected to anything.) – David Schwartz Jan 26 '13 at 17:31

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Jan 26 '13 at 16:12

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It seems that your PC has a DVI output. Please notice that the DVI standard has different plugs, depending on the type of data that is sent through the cable (it could be both digital or analog). Refer to Wikipedia to see which port your PC has.

answered Jan 26 '13 at 16:12

Pincopallino

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None of the diagrams in section 2 are the same as mine - all of them have C1,2,3 & 4. Mine has C5, but not 1,2,3 or 4. Instead of C1-4, it has the 2 lines I mention. – itskdog Jan 26 '13 at 16:15
I'm not sure what is the specification for that connector, but probably it should work with a DVI-D (single or dual link) cable. Even if the cable has less pins than the plug it should work. For example, you can plug a DVI-D cable into a DVI-I plug and it will work, because the DVI-I connector carries both digital and analog signals. – Pincopallino Jan 26 '13 at 17:07

score 1 · Answer 3 · edited Mar 20 '17 at 10:04

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It's likely DVI-I vs DVI-D.

Take a look at this super user question that shows both (granted, a different question with similar answers).

Yours sounds like DVI-D single link.

edited Mar 20 '17 at 10:04

Community

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answered Jan 26 '13 at 16:30

nerdwaller

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Afraid not - take a look at these: http://sdrv.ms/VeeE1Y (on PC) and http://sdrv.ms/VeeGXC (on Cable) – itskdog Jan 26 '13 at 16:34

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 26 '13 at 17:01

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Just so you know, a DVI to VGA cable will not work without the two pins above and two pins below the "bar" or "plus"; that is what carries the analog signal

answered Jan 26 '13 at 17:01

Canadian Luke

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How can someone down vote that? It's true... – Canadian Luke Feb 22 '13 at 05:04

score 1 · Answer 5 · answered Jan 26 '13 at 20:24

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Looks like it's DVI-I as was suggested by others. Check out http://www.playtool.com/pages/dvicompat/dvi.html

enter image description here

answered Jan 26 '13 at 20:24

nielsbot

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rather, the slot is DVI-D and the cable you have is DVI-I. – nielsbot Jan 26 '13 at 20:24
more pins than holes! – nielsbot Jan 26 '13 at 20:25

Not sure what this DVI-like port on my PC is

5 Answers5