External MiniDP/TB to VGA Adapter Issue

Hi,
I work for a university in the classroom technology department. We have over 220+ classrooms on our campus utilizing technology. We utiltize a handful of models of projectors as well as VGA switchers/control systems.
It seems recently, in (so far) 5 of our classrooms, Mac laptops (faculty personal laptops) and a desktop (permantly installed in one of the rooms) are no longer connecting to our external displays. All Macs involved either have 10.8.5 or 10.9+.
Thankfully, in all situations so far, an "active" miniDP to VGA adapter fixes the issue. Most faculty own the Apple branded one, which unfortunately is not "active".
And the strangest part, some of these same laptops work in some of our classrooms. So I know it could be some component of our systems and something with how the latest OS versions handle the "handshake" between computer and display...
Here's how all of our systems hook up:
3 Devices (usually PC, Laptop, Doc Cam) ---> 3x1:2 VGA switch/splitter ---> 1 output to monitor, 1 output to projector
The VGA cables are normally from Monoprice.com which have served us amazingly well for years.
Any input would be helpful and appreciated. We'll continue testing for other similarities between rooms.
Oh the world of technology
-Tony

Hi Greg,
Typically when colors are off or alignment is off centered there's usually a bent or missing pin somewhere. Each pin carries a specific color and signal between the machine and the monitor. I'd inspect each pin on the cable from the monitor and make sure that everything looks aligned and normal.

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