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Dell E156FP Flat Panel Monitor User's Guide

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Solving Problems

Dell E156FP Flat Panel Color Monitor User's Guide

Monitor Specific Troubleshooting

Common Problems

Video Problems

CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions.

Monitor Specific Troubleshooting

Self-Test Feature Check (STFC)

Your monitor provides a self-test feature that allows you to check if your monitor is functioning properly. If your monitor and computer are properly connected but the monitor screen remains dark, run the monitor self-test by performing the following steps:

Turn off both your computer and the monitor.
Unplug the video cable from the back of the computer. To ensure proper Self-Test operation, remove Analog (blue connector) cable from the back of computer.
Turn on the monitor.

The floating 'Dell - self-test Feature Check' dialog box should appear on-screen (against a black background) if the monitor cannot sense a video signal and is working correctly. While in self-test mode, the power LED remains green and the self-test pattern will scroll through the screen continually.

This box also appears during normal system operation if the video cable becomes disconnected or damaged.
Turn off your monitor and reconnect the video cable; then turn on both your computer and the monitor.

If your monitor screen remains blank after you use the previous procedure, check your video controller and computer system; your monitor is functioning properly.

OSD Warning Messages

A warning message may appear on the screen indicating that the monitor is out of sync range.

Cannot Display This Video Mode

Optimum resolution 1024X768 60 Hz

This means that the monitor cannot synchronize with the signal that it is receiving from the computer. Either the signal is too high or too low for the monitor to use. See Specifications for the Horizontal and Vertical frequency ranges addressable by this monitor. Recommended mode is 1024x768 @ 60Hz.

Occasionally, no warning message appears, but the screen is blank. This could also indicate that the monitor is not synchronizing with the computer or the monitor is in a power save mode.

Common Problems

The following table contains general information about common monitor problems you might encounter.

COMMON SYMPTOMS	WHAT YOU EXPERIENCE	POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
No Video/ Power LED off	No picture, monitor is dead	Check connection integrity at both ends of the video cable Electric outlet verification Ensure power button depressed fully
No Video/ Power LED on	No picture or no brightness	Increase 'Brightness' & 'Contrast' controls Perform monitor self-test feature check Check for bent or broken pins on the D-sub cable
Poor Focus	Picture is fuzzy, blurry or ghosting	Push 'Auto adjust' button Adjust 'Phase' and 'Clock' controls via OSD Eliminate video extension cables Perform monitor reset Lower video resolution or increase font size
Shaky/Jittery Video	Wavy picture or fine movement	Push 'Auto Adjust' button Adjust 'Phase' and 'Clock' controls via OSD Perform monitor reset Check environmental factors Relocate and test in other room
Missing Pixels	LCD screen has spots	Clean the LCD Screen, please see "Cleaning Your Monitor". Cycle power on-off These are pixels that are permanently off and is a natural defect that occurs in LCD technology
Stuck-on Pixels	LCD screen has bright spots	Cycle power on-off These are pixels that are permanently on and is a natural defect that occurs in LCD technology
Brightness Problems	Picture too dim or too bright	Perform monitor reset Push 'Auto Adjust' button Adjust 'Brightness' & 'Contrast' controls
Geometric Distortion	Screen not centered correctly	Perform monitor reset on "All Settings" Push 'Auto-Adjust' button Adjust the centering controls Ensure monitor is in proper video mode, please see "preset display modes".
Horizontal/Vertical Lines	Screen has one or more lines	Perform monitor reset Push 'Auto Adjust' button Adjust 'Phase' and 'Clock' controls via OSD Perform monitor self-test feature check and determine if these lines are also in self-test mode Check for bent or broken pins on the D-sub cable.
Sync Problems	Screen is scrambled or appears torn	Perform monitor reset Push 'Auto Adjust' button Adjust 'Phase' and 'Clock' controls via OSD Perform monitor self-test feature check to determine if scrambled screen appears in self-test mode Check for bent or broken pins on the D-sub cable Boot up in the 'Safe mode'
LCD Scratched	Screen has scratches or smudges	Turn monitor off and clean the screen For cleaning instruction, please see "Cleaning Your Monitor"
Safety Related Issues	Visible signs of smoke or sparks	Do not perform any troubleshooting steps Monitor needs to be replaced
Intermittent Problems	Monitor malfunctions on & off	Ensure monitor is in proper video mode Ensure video cable connection to computer and to the flat panel is secure Perform monitor reset Perform monitor self-test feature check to determine if the intermittent problem occurs in self-test mode

Video Problems

SPECIFIC SYMPTOMS	WHAT YOU EXPERIENCE	POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
Screen image is too small	Image is centered on screen, but does not fill entire viewing area	Perform monitor reset on "All Settings"
Cannot adjust the monitor with the buttons on the front panel	OSD does not appear on the screen	Turn off the monitor, unplug the power cord and then plug back and turn on the monitor

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