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Troubleshooting: Dell M992 Color Monitor User's Guide

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Troubleshooting: Dell™ M992 Color Monitor User's Guide

Monitor Specific Troubleshooting • Common Problems • Product Specific Problems

Monitor Specific Troubleshooting

Self-Test Feature Check ( STFC)

Your monitor provides a self-test feature that allows you to check whether the 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.

Turn on the monitor.
If the monitor is functioning properly, you will see a box as shown in the following illustration:
While in self-test mode, the LED remains green and the STFC pattern scrolls through the screen.

This box also appears during normal system operation if the video cable becomes disconnected.

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

If there is something wrong with the input signal, a message appears on the screen or the screen goes blank although the power indicator LED is still on. The message may indicate that the monitor is out of scan range or that you need to check the signal cable. This message will scroll through the screen.

Common Problems

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

COMMON SYMPTOMS	WHAT YOU SEE	POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
No Video / LED off	No picture, monitor's dead	Check AC plug fully inserted on the back of monitor Electric outlet verification Ensure power button depressed fully
No Video / LED on	No picture or no brightness	Increase brightness & contrast controls Perform monitor self-test feature check Check for bent or broken pins on video cable
Poor Focus	Picture is fuzzy, blurry or ghosting	Eliminate video extension cables Perform monitor reset Decrease brightness & contrast controls Lower video resolution or increase font size
Shaky/Jittery Video	Wavy picture or fine movement	Perform monitor reset Check environmental factors such as nearby florescent lights or other high power draw appliances plugged into the same AC circuit Relocate and test in other room
Color Purity Problems	Color is not uniform Has color blotches or shades	Perform degauss Perform monitor reset Check environmental factors, especially non-magnetically shielded speakers.
Missing Color or Color Flood	Entire screen is purple or yellow Entire screen is red, green or blue	Perform monitor reset Perform monitor self-test feature check Check for bent or broken pins Reseat the video cable
Missing Pixels	CRT screen has spots, specs or blemishes on the glass	If the blemish is on the outside of the glass, try cleaning the CRT screen
Brightness Problems	Picture too dim or too bright	Perform monitor reset Adjust brightness & contrast controls
Geometric Distortion	Screen not sized, shaped or centered correctly	Perform monitor reset Ensure monitor is in proper video mode Adjust the appropriate geometric control
Moiré (Thin Curvy Lines)	Screen has wavy or elliptical lines Screen has wood grain patterns	Ensure monitor is in proper video mode Adjust size first then the moiré controls
Sync Problems	Screen is scrambled or appears torn	Perform monitor self-test feature check Check for bent or broken pins Boot up in the "safe mode"
Audible Noise Problems	Has humming sound or high frequency squeal	Ensure monitor is in proper video mode Reposition the monitor Loud hum when turning on or degaussing is normal
CRT Scratched	Screen has scratches or smudges	Turn monitor off and clean the screen
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 Perform monitor reset Perform monitor self-test feature check

Product Specific Symptoms

SPECIFIC SYMPTOMS	WHAT YOU SEE	POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
No video / LED is blinking green	No picture	The monitor is using its power management system - See Power Management Modes Press a key on the keyboard or move the mouse
Screen image is too large or too small	Image extends beyond the edges of the screen, or the image is surrounded by a thick black border	Adjust the Zoom setting Use the H-Size and/or V-Size controls to adjust the size of the image on the screen
Cannot adjust the monitor with the buttons on the front panel	OSD does not appear on the screen	Turn the monitor off and then on again
White does not look white	White areas on the screen image appear to have a bluish or reddish cast	Activate the Degauss feature

Moiré is a type of natural interference which produces soft or wavy lines on your screen. It may appear due to interference between the regulated pattern of the picture from the input signal and the phosphor pitch pattern of the CRT. This is not a defect.

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