"Trouble-Shooting" of video display devices includes both the monitor itself, and the video card in an expansion slot; however, most of the problems we see today occurs because of the setup problems with different Microsoft Windows software such as Windows 95, Windows NT Server, and Windows NT Workstation. The problems that we see most often is that the software (Novell, Windows NT) do not come with the drivers for some of the newer video graphics cards produced after the network software was shipped. So, in many instances we have to use the software from the vendor to provide the necessary drivers and then set up the graphics with Windows based software.

If your problems cannot be traced to an "adjustment" of brightness, contrast, image loacation on the screen, or problems such as not loading a driver, or not properly setup, then we recommend you call a vendor or professional repairman.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE ELECTRONICS OF A MONITOR UNLESS YOU HAVE HAD EXTENSIVE TRAINING! A COLOR DISPLAY MONITOR HOLDS WELL OVER 30,000 VOLTS - ENOUGH TO ELECTROCUTE YOU. THIS THIS IS THE TIME TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER OR CONTRACTED MAINTENANCE COMPANY!

OK - I cannot address all monitor problems, but will give you some of the most common problems encountered with users.

1. SYMPTOM: The monitor is blank, but the system is turned on (the power indicator light is green).

   CAUSES/SOLUTIONS: With most users, this is often caused by: monitor power is off, the brightness or contrast buttons have been turned down to the point nothing shows, or the cable has fallen off. These are the first things to check.

2. SYMPTOM: The monitor is blank, but the system is turned on (the power indicator light is Orange or not green).

   Usually, if the power light does not turn green after the POST tests you have a serious problem with the video card, or you have a problem with your video card, or your BIOS has been damaged.

3. SYMPTOM: The monitor is blank, but the system is turned on (the power indicator light is not green) and you do not hear your "C:" drive operate, or your printer kick in.

   CAUSES/SOLUTIONS: Most likely, if you do not start the POST tests, your BIOS has been damaged, or some chip on the motherboard has shorted.

   NOTE: Occasionally, users like to "play" and they go into the monitor setup and change the frequency, the font, the number of colors, and even the screen size. You can see the possibilities in the following illustration:

   

4. When installing Windows NT, for instance, with Diamond Stealth 64DRAM video cards we often have problems with the "Refresh Rate" being changed from 60 hertz to something else.

5. SYMPTOM: The picture you see on the screen is actually two screens (both the same) showing in miniture versions on the screen.

   CAUSES/SOLUTIONS: Incorrect "Refresh Rate" is the normal problem. We usually just reinstall the drivers and reboot. Sometimes we need to get into the above windows screen and set the refresh rate. The refresh rate for MOST monitors will be 60 hertz. You can always refer to your Users Manual for your particular monitor.

   REMEMBER: Any time you change the settings using the screen above, you have to click on the "Apply" button, then the "OK" button to get the changes to take place.

6. SYMPTOM: When installing Windows 95, with some video cards, the picture you see is about 1/2 size, in the middle of the screen; and, it is often poorly focused. CAUSE/SOLUTION:On our Micronics P75s with SVGA screens this is caused by Windows 95 defaulting to 16 colors and 640x480 pixels. We get into the Windows 95 Display setup from the "Control Panel" and change the settings. First, we change it to 256 colors, then 800x600 pixels in the "Desktop Area" (just put the mouse on the down arrow and drag it horizontally until 800x600 shows), then we make sure the "Font Size" box has "small fonts" in it, and finally we set the "Refresh Frequency" box is set to "60 herz". Then, we reboot and it works.

   Another Solution:Occasionally, with early shipments of Windows 95, the drivers for a new video card is missing. Use the diskette provided by the vendor to install the drivers in this case. We create a directory on the hard drive, drag the files from the A: drive to the C: drive directory, and run the setup program provided by the monitor's manufacturer. Then rebooting Windows 95 usually corrects the problem.