Troubleshooting An External Monitor - Dell Latitude LM Reference And Troubleshooting Manual

6. Turn on the computer. Is the display on?
Allow one minute for the computer to initialize its
components.
Yes. Go to step 7.
No. Go to step 9.
7. Use the < >< > or <
FN
adjust the brightness. Use the <
< >< > key combination to adjust the contrast.
FN
Is the full display readable?
NOTE: Contrast cannot be adjusted on an active-
matrix color display.
Yes. Go to step 8.
No. Go to step 9.
8. Has an error message appeared on the display, or
has a beep code sounded?
Yes. Refer to Table 3-2 or Table 3-3 to find the mes-
sage or beep code, respectively, along with its
explanation. If you can't find the message or code,
call Dell for technical assistance. (See Chapter 5,
"Getting Help," for instructions.)
No. If you still have a display problem but the dis-
play is not completely blank, run the Video Test
Group in the Dell diagnostics. Then call Dell for
technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, "Getting Help,"
for instructions.)
9. Turn off your computer, and connect an external
monitor to the computer.
10. Turn on the computer and the monitor, and
adjust the monitor's brightness and contrast con-
trols. Is the monitor readable?
Yes. The computer's display may be defective. Call
Dell for technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, "Get-
ting Help," for instructions.)
No. The computer's video controller on the system
board may be defective. Call Dell for technical assis-
tance. (See Chapter 5, "Getting Help," for
instructions.)

Troubleshooting an External Monitor

During POST, the computer checks to see if an external
monitor is attached to the computer. If no image appears
on the external monitor when the computer boots, make a
3-18 Dell Latitude LM Reference and Troubleshooting Guide
>< > key combination to
FN
>< > or
FN
copy of the Diagnostics Checklist found in Chapter 5 and
fill it out as you complete the following procedure:
1. Is the
VIDEO MODE
set to ?
LCD MODE
Yes. If the
VIDEO MODE
the computer ignores the presence of an external
monitor at start-up. Go to step 2.
No. Go to step 2.
2. Press the < >< > key combination on the
FN F8
built-in keyboard several times. Does an image
appear on the external monitor?
Yes. The problem is resolved.
No. Go to step 3.
3. Make sure the external monitor's video cable is
firmly connected to the computer's external-
monitor connector, and verify that the monitor's
power cable (if it has one) is firmly plugged into
an AC power source. Make sure the monitor is
turned on.
4. Turn off the computer, wait a minute, and then
turn the computer back on. Adjust the monitor's
brightness and contrast controls. Is the monitor
readable?
Allow one minute for the computer to initialize its
components.
Yes. The problem is resolved.
No. Go to step 5.
5. Raise the display into viewing position, if neces-
sary, and press <
FN
image from the external monitor to the display.
6. Use the < >< > or <
FN
adjust the brightness. Use the <
< >< > key combination to adjust the contrast.
FN
Is the full display readable?
NOTE: Contrast cannot be adjusted on an active-
matrix color display.
Yes. The external monitor may be defective. Go to
step 7.
No. The video controller on the system board may be
defective. Call Dell for technical assistance. (See
Chapter 5, "Getting Help," for instructions.)
option in the Setup program
option is set to
LCD MODE
>< > to switch the video
F8
>< > key combination to
FN
>< > or
FN
,