DELL 3000 User Manual

Page of 136
Troubleshooting Your Computer
3-19
make a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist found in Chap-
ter 5 and fill it out as you complete the following 
procedure.
NOTE: The highest video resolution supported by a 
12.1-inch SVGA built-in display is 800 x 600 pixels. A 
13.3-inch XGA built-in display supports 1024 x 768 pix-
els. If your application program uses a higher resolution, 
you must attach an external video graphics array (VGA) 
monitor to your computer.
1.
If the computer is running, press any key on the 
built-in keyboard. Is the full display readable?
Yes. The computer was in standby or suspend mode. 
The problem is resolved.
No. Go to step 2.
2.
Is an external monitor connected to the 
computer?
Yes. Go to step 3.
No. Go to step 4.
3.
Press the <Fn><F8> key combination. Is the full 
display readable?
Yes. The Video Mode option in the Setup program 
was set to CRT Mode.
No. Go to step 4.
4.
Turn off the computer and any attached periph-
erals. Disconnect all peripherals from the 
computer.
5.
Make sure the AC adapter is firmly connected to 
the computer and to an AC power source, or ver-
ify that a fully charged battery is properly seated 
in its compartment.
6.
Turn on the computer. Is the display on?
Allow one minute for the computer to initialize its 
components.
Yes. Go to step 7.
No. Go to step 9.
7.
Use the <Fn> down-arrow or <Fn> up-arrow key 
combination to adjust the brightness. Is the full 
display readable?
Yes. Go to step 8.
No. Go to step 9. 
8.
Has an error message appeared on the display, or 
has a beep code sounded?
Yes. Refer to Table 3-2 or Table 3-3 to find the mes-
sage or beep code, respectively, along with its 
explanation. If you can’t find the message or code, 
call Dell for technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, 
“Getting Help,” for instructions.)
No. If you still have a display problem but the dis-
play is not completely blank, run the Video test 
group in the Dell Diagnostics. Then call Dell for 
technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” 
for instructions.)
9.
Turn off your computer, and connect an external 
monitor to the computer. 
10. Turn on the computer and the monitor, and 
adjust the monitor’s brightness and contrast con-
trols. Is the monitor readable?
Yes. The computer’s display may be defective. Call 
Dell for technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Get-
ting Help,” for instructions.)
No. The computer’s video controller on the system 
board may be defective. Call Dell for technical assis-
tance. (See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for 
instructions.)
Troubleshooting an External Monitor 
      
  
During POST, the computer checks to see if an external 
monitor is attached to the computer. If no image appears 
on the external monitor when the computer boots, make a 
copy of the Diagnostics Checklist found in Chapter 5 and 
fill it out as you complete the following procedure:
1.
Is the Video Display Device option in the Setup 
program set to LCD Mode?
Yes. If the Video Display Device option is set to 
LCD Mode, the computer ignores the presence of an 
external monitor at start-up. Go to step 2.
No. Go to step 2.
2.
Press the <Fn><F8> key combination on the 
built-in keyboard several times. Does an image 
appear on the external monitor?
Yes. The problem is resolved.
No. Go to step 3.
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