Dell Precision M40 - Manual (Page 74)

Yes. See " Understanding Error Messages ," to find the message, along with its explanation. If you can't
find the message, call Dell for technical assistance.
No. If you still have a display problem but the display is not completely blank, run the Video device group
in the
Dell Diagnostics . Then call Dell for technical assistance.
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 controls. Is the monitor
readable?
Yes. The computer's display may be defective. Call Dell for technical assistance.
No. The computer's video controller on the system board may be defective. Call Dell for technical
assistance.
No Image Appears on
External Monitor
During POST, the
computer checks to
see if an external monitor is
attached to the computer
Basic Checks:
l Press < F8> to switch the video image from the display to the external monitor.
If the external monitor is blank, the computer may be in standby or hibernate mode. To resume normal operations,
press the power button.
l Ensure that the video cable is firmly attached to the video connector on the back of the computer and that the
monitor power cable is plugged into a working electrical outlet.
l
Check for damaged or frayed cables and for bent pins on connectors. It is normal on some video cable
connectors for pins to appear to be missing. See the monitor documentation.
l Check the Video Display Device setting in the system setup program. To use an external monitor, this option
must be set to CRT Mode or Simul Mode.
l Adjust brightness and contrast settings.
l Run the VESA/VGA Interface tests as described in " Dell Diagnostics ."
l Restart the computer.
If the problem still exists after you complete the basic checks, fill out the Diagnostics Checklist as you perform the
following steps:
1. 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 2.
2. Adjust the display's brightness . Is the full display readable?
Yes. The external monitor may be defective. Go to step 3.
No. The video controller on the system board may be defective. Call Dell for technical assistance.
3. Turn off the computer and any attached devices. Disconnect all devices from the computer. Attach another
external monitor to the computer.
If you do not have another external monitor, call Dell for technical assistance.
4. Reboot the computer, and adjust the monitor's brightness and contrast. Allow one minute for the computer to
initialize its components.
Is the monitor readable?
Yes. The original monitor is defective. Call Dell for technical assistance.
No. Call Dell for technical assistance.
No Image Appears on
TV Basic Checks:
l
Eliminate possible interference. Turn off nearby fans, fluorescent lights, or halogen lamps to check for
interference from those devices.
l If you connected a TV to the S-video TV-out connector on your computer and there is no picture on your TV
screen, verify the following connections and settings:
¡ The proper cable is connected to the S-video TV-out connector on your computer. See " TV and Digital
Audio ."
¡ Check for damaged or frayed cables and for bent pins on connectors.