Digital Tigers SideCar MMS Series Troubleshooting a “dead” display caused by bent cable pins

cables. When this Y-cable male LFH connector is attached to the SideCar chassis female LFH connectors, adjacent pins (particularly at the edges and corners of the pin grid) on the Y-cable connector can very easily be bent and forced into adjacent holes on the female connector on the SideCar chassis . This can in turn distort the thin plastic walls between adjacent rows of pins, so even after straightening a pin, a bent wall can bend it back out of position.

The most common symptom of a bent pin is a single display receiving no signal while the other displays perform correctly.

Troubleshooting a “dead” display caused by bent cable pins:

oFirst, confirm that some of the SideCar monitors are working correctly. (If no monitors are working, the problem is not likely to be bent cable pins.)

oSecond, to differentiate from other possible problems, confirm that the notebook’s Display Properties dialog box indicates that the “dead” display is active and attached. (See chapter 6 for more on using Display Properties.)

oThird, confirm that the problem is not a bad display (independent of the SideCar). Try attaching the “dead” display to another SideCar output or other working computer display output connector.

oIf the display is confirmed to be working, the problem may be bent cable pins in the LFH connection between the Y-cable and the SideCar chassis. Detach the Y- cable and carefully examine the male pins on the Y-cable base connector.

ƒIf you find the pins on one of your connectors are bent, carefully and gently bend them back into position with a small tweezer, very small screwdriver or straight pin. Then check the female connector on the card and bend the wall back into position carefully and gently.

ƒIf at all possible, leave the Y-cable connected to the SideCar during transport. Normal DVI and analog connectors are not as susceptible to this problem, but it is a good idea to keep all male video connectors covered with their included protective plastic cups whenever they are not in use. Above all, exercise care in attaching the Y-cable, and tighten the thumbscrews securely.

Note: Common operational issues (after successful installation) are addressed in Chapter 12, “Frequently asked questions (FAQs)”.

74- TROUBLESHOOTING