When you have problems with your video
display, it can be something as simple as having the brightness turned down to
a bad controller on the motherboard. If you have not done, first learn to
identify the components of the video display system.
When you look inside any open
computer,see if you can locate the Video Card. Is your video card mounted in an
adapter slot or is it integrated onto the motherboard. If the card is motherboard
integrated, locate the jumpers that will allow the card to be disabled should you
need to install another card.
The Monitor is the second component in
the video display and it must be compatible with your video card. Be sure the
maximum resolution of your video card and monitor are the same. Its even better
to your a higher resolution display on your monitor.
Nothing
on the Monitor
As
we first mentioned, check the brightness and contrast buttons on the monitor to
be sure they are not turned down. Yeah,we know. This sounds a little silly to
think this could be overlooked,but believe me, it really does.
And while we're talking about simple
checks,be sure the monitor is receiving power. If the power indicator light is
out, remove the power cable and look for any bent or broken pins or connectors.
Try to reboot the computer one or two
times to be sure the system did not just lock up. If nothing happens, replace
the cable with a known good cable to prove that the wall outlet or surge
protector has power.
If the monitor has power but nothing is
on the screen, check the data cable going into the rear of the computer. Be
sure the cable is secure. If it is,Turn the power off to the system unit,
remove the cable and look for broken, loose, or bent pins.
Finally, if you're blessed enough to
have two computers, exchange the monitor with a good monitor to see if it
works. Replace the old monitor if the new monitor works. If the new monitor
fail as well, remove the system cover to inspect the Video Card.
Monitor
Works But No Display
When
the Monitor is known to be good but its screen is still blank, the Video Card
is the most likely culprit. First inspect the card to be sure it is fully
seated in its slot if it is adapter slot mounted.
Check the jumpers of any motherboard
mounted card to be sure a jumper has not been lost or loose. If you have been
inside your system,its always a possibility to have moved the card.
Monitor
Works But Poor Display
If your monitor works but the images
appear fuzzy, or flickering often, and the text are hard to read, it may be
time to adjust the video card's resolution and the refresh rate.
Right click the desktop, select
properties and open the display properties dialog box. Choose the tab for
settings and adjust the slider to change your display resolution. Most 17-inch
monitors will have a resolution of 800 x 600 but choose the best resolution for
your eyes.
After adjusting the resolution, check
the display to see if all flickering and other problems have vanished. If not,
optimize the refresh rate. The refresh rate is the rate in which the video card
redraws the screen. Lower refresh rates sometimes cause flickering.
To adjust this rate, open the display
properties dialog box in the desktop, and choose the settings tab once again.
Click the advanced button and choose the adapter tab if you still have Windows
98.
If you have Windows XP, choose the
Monitor tab. And from there you can set the refresh rate to about 70Hz or 70
Hertz. Check your monitor's manual or web site to see the maximum refresh rate
for your monitor.
To effectively maintain your video
display,visit the supporting web sites for updated software patches and device
drivers. Watch for new control software for your card that will greatly boost
its performance.
Take the time to clean the system unit
case which will allow air to flow freely. This in turn will help keep the video
components cool which will allow the card the perform smoothly.
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