Does this monitor work?

I got an LCD monitor second hand. The guy said it didnt work. Im going to get a cable for it but I dont want to waste my money if it doesnt. When I plug it in it says check signal cable (theres nothing plugged into it). I cant get to the menu. after a few minutes of it being on it says "monitor going to sleep" and shuts off it turns back on tho. would it do that if a computer was plugged into it? its an hp w1907. thanks