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28 Solving Problems
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Video and Monitor Problems
If the screen is blank
HINT: See the
documentation that came
with your monitor for
fault indications and
troubleshooting
procedures specific to
your monitor.
CHECK THE VIDEO CABLE CONNECTION — Check for bent pins (most
video cable connectors have missing pins, but not bent pins). Ensure that the
video cable is connected as shown on the START HERE sheet for your computer.
PRESS THE MONITOR POWER BUTTON — Be sure that you firmly pressed
the monitor power button.
CHECK THE POWER LIGHT — When the power light is lit or blinking, the
monitor has power. If the power light is blinking, press a key on the keyboard or
move the mouse.
TEST THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET — Ensure that the electrical outlet is
working by testing it with another device, such as a lamp.
SWAP THE COMPUTER AND MONITOR POWER CABLES — Swap the
computer and monitor power cables to determine if the power cable is defective.
TEST THE VIDEO EXTENSION CABLE (IF USED)—If you are using a
video extension cable and removing the cable solves the problem, the cable is
defective.
TEST THE MONITOR — If another monitor is available, connect it to the
computer.
CHECK THE BACK PANEL LIGHTS — If all four lights below the serial
connector are not green, call Dell for technical assistance (see page 92).
CHECK THE POWER PROPERTIES — See the Tell Me How help file or
search for the keyword standby in the Help and Support Center (Help in
Windows 2000). To access help files, see page 26.