Hey techies, I need your help!

Long story short: I received an all-in-on PC with a cracked monitor. It is new, but refurbished, and the attempts at warranty repair/replacement are off the table. This is the model: http://jp.gateway.com/gw/en/US/content/model/PW.GB702.028

Anyone here with an idea on how to get this thing useable? I'd like to replace the monitor... It was originally touch screen, but I would be satisfied with a non-touch solution if it meant saving a coulple hundred bucks.

My thinking:
- Replace the monitor, but keep the case/AiO setup.
OR
- Transport all the hardware to a new case and buy a new external monitor and have a traditional PC setup

Ideally, I want to retain the original case and touch screen function. As I want to use it as a POS and appointment scheduler terminal at my gym. I'll have limited space, so the space savings of an AIO would be nice.

If you can help, I'll be willing to pay $ or offer free membership and training services at my gym!



[Edited on March 25, 2012 at 9:43 AM. Reason : ;]

3/25/2012 9:41:46 AM

I would ditch the unit...buy something like raspberrypi...
$40...buy multiple units..
Talk about space savings.

Depending on your POS system...but I'm sure there is something you could use...
What are you using for your scheduler?

3/25/2012 10:11:14 AM

Right now I am trying to find a solution integrated with wordpress... I have some premade plugins and developer lined up to customize it, but I want to shop around a bit.

I want the ability to set up a member account via wordpress, then they can log in and access the forums on my site and have the ability to schedule themselves on an integrated calendar at home or while they are at the gym on this unit.

I'd rather not ditch the unit. I am a small business, with not a lot of money. I made the mistake of buying from one of those 1saleaday discount websites that offer zero customer service. The specs on this thing are more than adequate for what I want to use it as. Which is a basic graphic/word processor, media viewer, business admin work and web surfer.

I don't really have much PC building experience, but I was hoping I could possibly just find a screen of the same size and swap it out. Or, buy a new flat panel monitor and transport the hardware to a new case. Are neither of those ideas feasible?

[Edited on March 25, 2012 at 11:00 AM. Reason : words]

3/25/2012 10:58:20 AM

dispute on CC - don't eat some DOA shit. also, does it have video out? if so, connect to another monitor

3/25/2012 11:25:12 AM

So I understand the idea of small business. I run one as well.

However, you are wanting a POS unit....that can also browse the net...Getting a new LCD...would be almost impossible with it not being a touch screen to fit perfectly. Those things could range from several hundred...to close to 1000...

Do you even know if this unit works outside of the broken monitor?

Moving to a new box..maybe be possible...however it will be difficult to say as that setup is more like a laptop setup and most cases aren't going to fit.

I offered a solution that could be feasible for less than $50 as to replace the unit that was not based on windows. hell you could buy a netbook that had windows XP on it and hook it up to a monitor...you could hide it under a counter to prevent theft, have wireless capabilities, etc...

3/25/2012 11:30:42 AM

I already took care of the CC dispute. Amex hooked it up with their purchase protection program... full refund no questions asked.

I don't know if the unit works yet, I haven't even turned it on. I've held off in case I was going to ship it back for a replacement/refund.

After examining it, it looks pretty straight forward to replace, if I can find the same LCD screen. The on the backside, you can plainly see where the HDMI plugs right in to the motherboard. It seems like I could open the case, swap out the screens and plug in the HDMI.

It does have a secondary video out, so a dirty/temp solution would be just to do that.

POS is secondary, it would mainly just function as a workstation.

3/25/2012 11:37:40 AM

Do they not have one here?

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=gateway+zx+lcd&_sacat=See-All-Categories

This looks like the one...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gateway-ZX4951-Non-Touch-LCD-Panel-Gateway-ZX4931-ZX4951-Acer-Z3101-Z3100-Z3731-/290668056368?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43ad2a8f30#ht_2502wt_952

this one looks good too:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/22-LCD-screen-display-DIY-KIT-w-inverter-cable-board-LM215WF1-zx4951-zx4931-/140718173038#ht_500wt_969

3/25/2012 6:45:10 PM

that middle link looks good, right size, but non-touch screen.

I am a little nervous to throw more money at this though, with out having much experience with doing this myself.

Thank you

[Edited on March 25, 2012 at 7:19 PM. Reason : thanks]

3/25/2012 7:19:37 PM

Your best value for money is to sell what you have for parts on ebay, and use the $$$ to purchase another new unit.

If this is a POS style terminal, you might check out the Lenovo C series. The C205 can be had for ~350-375 bucks. Lot less money for the same thing. You don't need a Core i3 processor and beefy internals for a terminal.

3/26/2012 4:36:18 PM