Checking the Equipment, Troubleshooting the Monitor

Chapter 6

Checking the Equipment

This chapter provides troubleshooting procedures for equipment that connects directly to the input/output (I/O) panel of the computer, such as the monitor, keyboard, mouse, or printer. Before performing any of the procedures in this chapter, see “Checking Connections and Switches” in Chapter 2. Then perform the troubleshooting procedures for the equipment that is malfunctioning.

You need the following items to perform the procedures in this chapter:

•The Dell Server Assistant CD

•A blank, formatted diskette

•The system documentation

NOTE: When you see the question, “Is the problem resolved?” in a troubleshooting procedure, perform the operation that caused the problem.

Troubleshooting the Monitor

Troubleshooting video problems involves determining which of the following is the source of the problem:

•Monitor and monitor interface cable

•Video memory

•Video logic of the computer or a video expansion card

If information on the monitor screen is displayed in- correctly or not at all, complete the following steps to determine the problem:

1.Turn on the system, including any attached peripherals.

2.Adjust the switches and controls as specified in the monitor’s documentation to correct the video

image, including the horizontal and vertical posi- tion and size.

Is the problem resolved?

Yes. You have fixed the problem.

No. Continue to step 3.

3.Run the system diagnostics software.

See Chapter 5, “Running the System Diagnostics.” Does the monitor display text properly?

Yes. Go to step 5.

No. Continue to step 4.

4.Type g and press the down-arrow key four times. Then press the plus (+) key to send all error mes- sages to a printer. To send the error messages to a file named results on a diskette, insert a blank dis- kette into drive A, and then press the plus (+) key twice to send the error messages to the file.

5.Run the Video Test Group in the system diagnostics.

See Chapter 5, “Running the System Diagnostics.” Most of the tests in the Video Test Group require you to respond before the diagnostics continues with the next test.

Do the tests complete successfully? Yes. You have fixed the problem. No. Continue to step 6.

6.Turn off the system and disconnect it from alter- nating current (AC) power. Swap the monitor with one of the same type that is working, and reconnect the system to AC power.

Checking the Equipment

6-1