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3-20 Dell Inspiron 3000 Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
3. Make sure the external monitor’s video cable is
firmly connected to the computer’s external-
monitor connector, and verify that the monitor’s
power cable (if it has one) is firmly plugged into
an AC power source. Make sure the monitor is
turned on.
4. Check the monitor cable for bent pins.
5. Turn off the computer, wait a minute, and then
turn the computer back on. Adjust the monitor’s
brightness and contrast controls. Is the monitor
readable?
Allow one minute for the computer to initialize its
components.
Yes. The problem is resolved.
No. Go to step 6.
6. Raise your computer’s display into viewing posi-
tion, if necessary, and press <Fn><F8> to switch
the video image from the external monitor to the
display.
7. Use the <Fn> down-arrow or <Fn> up-arrow key
combination to adjust the brightness. Is the full
display readable?
Yes. The external monitor may be defective. Go to step 8.
No. The video controller on the system board may be
defective. Call Dell for technical assistance. (See
Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.)
8. Turn off the computer and any attached periph-
erals. Disconnect all peripherals from the
computer. Attach another external monitor to the
computer.
If you do not have another external monitor, call Dell
for technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Getting
Help,” for instructions.)
9. Reboot the computer, and adjust the monitor’s
brightness and contrast. Is the monitor readable?
Allow one minute for the computer to initialize its
components.
Yes. The original monitor is defective. Call Dell for
technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,”
for instructions.)
No. Call Dell for technical assistance. (See Chap-
ter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.)
Troubleshooting the Serial and Parallel
Ports
This section provides a procedure for troubleshooting the
computer’s serial and parallel ports (shown in Figure 3-4)
and any attached peripheral devices.
If a system error message indicates a port problem or if
equipment connected to a port seems to perform in-
correctly or not at all, the source of the problem may be
any of the following:
•
A faulty connection between the I/O port and the
peripheral device
•
Incorrect settings for system setup options
•
Incorrect settings in the operating system’s configu-
ration files
•
A faulty cable between the I/O port and the periph-
eral device
•
A faulty peripheral device
•
Faulty I/O port logic on the system board
•
Conflicting COM port settings
•
Lack of drivers
Troubleshooting the Basic I/O Functions
Make a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist found in Chapter 5,
and fill it out as you complete the following procedure:
1. Check the settings for the Serial Port and Parallel
Port Mode options in the System Devices menu of
the Setup program.
For information on the Setup program, see
Chapter 2, “Customizing System Features.” Are the
communication port options set correctly for the
peripheral devices connected to the computer?
Yes. Go to step 3.
No. Go to step 2.
2. Change the Serial Port and Parallel Port Mode
options to the appropriate settings, and then
reboot the system.
Is the problem resolved?
Yes. The problem is resolved.
No. Go to step 3.
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