Video and Monitor Problems | Dell 1200 instruction

C H E C K T H E S YS T E M S E T U P P R O G R A M S E T T I N G S — Verify that the system setup

program lists the correct device for the pointing device option. (The computer automatically recognizes a USB mouse without making any setting adjustments.) For more information on using the system setup program, see "System Setup Program" on page 101.

TE S T T H E M O U S E C O N T R O L L E R — To test the mouse controller (which affects pointer movement) and the operation of the touch pad or mouse buttons, run the Mouse test in the Pointing Devices test group in the Dell Diagnostics (see "Dell Diagnostics" on page 79).

R E I N S T A L L T H E T O U C H P A D D R I V E R — See "Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities" on page 106.

Video and Monitor Problems

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

NOTICE: If your computer came with a PCI graphics card installed, removal of the card is not necessary when installing additional graphics cards; however, the card is required for troubleshooting purposes. If you remove the card, store it in a safe and secure location. For information about your graphics card, go to support.dell.com.

The screen is blank

NOTE: For troubleshooting procedures, see the monitor’s documentation.

The screen is difficult to read

C H E C K T H E D I A G N O S T I C L I G H T S — See "Diagnostic Lights" on page 73.

C H E C K T H E M O N I T O R S E T T I N G S — See the monitor documentation for instructions on adjusting the contrast and brightness, demagnetizing (degaussing) the monitor, and running the monitor self-test.

A D J U S T T H E W I N D O W S D I S P L A Y S E T T I N G S

Windows XP:

1Click Start→ Control Panel→ Appearance and Themes.

2Click the area you want to change or click the Display icon.

3Try different settings for Color quality and Screen resolution.

96

Troubleshooting

Image 96

Dell 1200 owner manual Video and Monitor Problems, Screen is blank Screen is difficult to read

Contents

W . d e l l . c o m s u p p o r t . d e l l . c o m November RK930 Contents Customizing the Touch Pad Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable Microsoft Windows Firewall Securing Your Computer Dell Technical Update Service 101102 105 119120 123 126 127129 137 Contents Finding Information What Are You Looking For? Find It Here Dell Product Information Guide License What Are You Looking For? Site Dell Support Utility Windows Help and Support On the operating system you ordered Finding Information About Your Computer Front View Display About Your Computer V I C E S T a T U S L I G H T S Left Side View In-1 memory card reader Right Side View Back View D E M C O N N E C T O R RJ T W O R K C O N N E C T O R RJ Battery Battery-bay latch release Bottom View About Your Computer About Your Computer Using a Battery Battery Performance Checking the Battery Charge Microsoft Windows Power MeterLow-Battery Warning Conserving Battery Power Power Management ModesStandby and Sleep Mode Hibernate Mode Configuring Power Management Settings Charging the BatteryAccessing Power Options Properties Windows XP Removing the Battery Storing a Battery Using a Battery Using the Keyboard Numeric Keypad Power Management Key CombinationsSystem Functions Speaker Functions Touch Pad Customizing the Touch Pad Mouse Properties window Using the Display Adjusting BrightnessUsing a Projector Making Images and Text Look Bigger or Sharper Microsoft Windows XPWindows Vista Using Both a Monitor and Your Computer Display Using a Monitor as Your Primary Display Click the Settings tab→ Advanced→ Displays tab Using the Display Using Multimedia Playing CDs or DVDs DVD player includes the following basic buttons How to Copy a CD or DVD Copying CDs and DVDs Using Blank CDs and DVDs Media Type Read Write Rewritable Helpful Tips DVD-Writable Drives Adjusting the Volume Adjusting the Picture Setting Up and Using Networks Connecting a Network or Broadband Modem Cable Setting Up and Using Networks Wireless Local Area Network Wlan Checking Your Wireless Network CardWhat You Need to Establish a Wlan Connection Start Button and Connect To Option Order Confirmation for Your Computer Connecting to a Wlan Determining the Wireless Network Device Manager Click Start→ Settings→ Control Panel→ Network Connections Microsoft Windows Firewall Completing the Connection to the Wlan Setting Up and Using Networks Using Cards ExpressCards Installing an ExpressCard ExpressCard Blanks Removing an ExpressCard or Blank Slot Passwords About PasswordsSecuring Your Computer Security Cable Lock Using a Primary or System Password Type of Password Features Using an Administrator Password Computer Tracking Software Fingerprint Reader OptionalIf Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen Securing Your Computer Securing Your Computer Troubleshooting Tools Diagnostic LightsDiagnostic Light Codes During Post Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution System Messages Light Pattern Troubleshooting Tools Correct AC adapter to the computer or docking station E S E M E S S a G E S . See System Setup Program on Hardware Troubleshooter Dell for assistance see Contacting Dell on Dell Diagnostics When to Use the Dell DiagnosticsStarting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive Troubleshooting Tools Press Tab to select Test System and then press Enter Dell Diagnostics Main Menu Option Function Encountered TabFunction Tab Function Troubleshooting Battery Problems Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems Click Start→ All Programs→ Modem Helper Error Messages Do not use these characters in filenames Lockups and Software Problems Computer stops respondingProgram stops responding Program crashes repeatedly Program is designed for an earlier Windows operating systemSolid blue screen appears Memory Problems Other software problems Network Problems Power Problems Printer Problems Scanner Problems Click Properties and click Ports Sound and Speaker Problems No sound from speakers Touch Pad or Mouse Problems No sound from headphones Video and Monitor Problems Screen is blank Screen is difficult to read Power Lights 3D image quality is poorOnly part of the display is readable Dell Technical Update Service Dell Support Utility Accessing the Dell Support Utility Clicking the Dell Support IconDouble-Clicking the Dell Support Icon 100 System Setup Program Overview101 Viewing the System Setup Screens System Setup ScreensChanging the Boot Sequence Commonly Used Options Performing a One-Time Boot 103 Enabling the Infrared Sensor 104 Reinstalling Software What Is a Driver?Drivers Identifying Drivers Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities Using Windows Device Driver RollbackMicrosoft Windows XP Microsoft Windows Vista At the Welcome Dell System Owner screen, click Next 107 Using the Drivers and Utilities Media 108 Manually Reinstalling Drivers 109 Hardware and Software Problems Restoring Your Operating System110 Using Microsoft Windows System Restore Starting System Restore111 Undoing the Last System Restore Enabling System Restore112 Using Dell PC Restore and Dell Factory Image Restore Windows XP Dell PC Restore113 114 Windows Vista Dell Factory Image Restore 115 Using the Operating System Media Reinstalling Windows XP or Windows VistaBefore you Begin 116 117 118 Traveling With Your Computer Identifying Your ComputerPacking the Computer 119 Travel Tips Traveling by Air120 121 122 Getting Help Obtaining Assistance123 Technical Support and Customer Service DellConnect Online Services124 Problems With Your Order AutoTech ServiceAutomated Order-Status Service 125 126 Before You Call 127 Diagnostics Checklist 128 Contacting Dell 129 130 Specifications 131 132 CommunicationsVideo Audio 133 DisplayKeyboard Battery 134Touch Pad AC Adapter 135 DrivesPhysical Environmental 136 Appendix FCC Notice U.S. OnlyFCC Class B 137 Cleaning Your Computer Computer, Keyboard, and Display 138 Mouse Non-Optical CDs and DVDs139 140 Glossary 141 142 143 Product ID 144 Device driver See driver 145 146 147 148 149 Module bay See media bay 150 NIC See network adapter 151 152 153 154 Video resolution See resolution 155 156 157 158 Index 159 160 See also wireless switch 161 162 163 164