Dell OptiPlex GX260 User Guide - Page 180

Video and Monitor Problems, If the screen is blank, If the screen is difficult to read

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CAUTION: Before you perform this procedure, see "CAUTION: Safety Instructions." Replace the Memory Modules 1. Turn off the computer and devices, disconnect them from their electrical outlets, wait 10 to 20 seconds, and open the computer cover. 2. Replace the memory module(s) (see "Memory" for module installation procedures). 3. Close the computer cover, reconnect the computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on. 4. If the RAM count displayed does not correctly match the actual amount of memory installed in the computer, contact Dell. Video and Monitor Problems Fill out the Diagnostics Checklist as you complete these checks. If the screen is blank NOTE: See the documentation that came with your monitor for troubleshooting procedures. Press the monitor power button- Firmly press the button to ensure that the monitor is turned on. Check the monitor power light- If the power light is lit or blinking, the monitor has power. If the power light is blinking, press a key on the keyboard or move the mouse. Check the monitor cable connection- Check the connector for bent or broken pins. (It is normal for monitor cable connectors to have missing pins.) Test the electrical outlet- Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device, such as a lamp. Swap the power cables- Swap the computer and monitor power cables to determine if the power cable is defective. Test the video extension cable (if used)- If you are using a video extension cable and removing the cable solves the problem, the cable is defective. Test another monitor- If another monitor is available, connect it to the computer. Check the diagnostic lights- If all four lights (see "Back Panel Diagnostic Light Codes") are not green, contact Dell (see "Getting Help"). Check the card setting- Enter system setup and ensure that Primary Video Controller under the Integrated Devices option is set correctly. For an AGP card, set Primary Video Controller to AGP. For a PCI card, set Primary Video Controller to Auto. Exit system setup and reboot the computer. Run the Dell Diagnostics- Reboot the computer and run the Dell Diagnostics. If any of the tests fail, contact Dell. If the screen is difficult to read Check the monitor settings- See the documentation that came with your monitor for instructions on adjusting the contrast and brightness, demagnetizing (degaussing) the monitor, and running the monitor selftest. Move the subwoofer away from the monitor- If your speaker system includes a subwoofer, ensure that the subwoofer is at least 60 cm (2 ft) away from the monitor. Move the monitor away from external power sources- Fans, fluorescent lights, halogen lamps, and other electrical devices can cause the screen image to appear "shaky". Turn off nearby devices to check for interference.

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CAUTION:
Before you perform this procedure, see "
CAUTION: Safety Instructions
."
Replace the Memory Modules
1. Turn off the computer and devices, disconnect them from their electrical outlets, wait 10 to 20 seconds,
and open the computer cover.
2. Replace the memory module(s) (see "
Memory
" for module installation procedures).
3. Close the computer cover, reconnect the computer and devices to electrical outlets, and turn them on.
4. If the RAM count displayed does not correctly match the actual amount of memory installed in the
computer, contact Dell.
Video and Monitor Problems
Fill out the
Diagnostics Checklist
as you complete these checks.
If the screen is blank
NOTE:
See the documentation that came with your monitor for troubleshooting procedures.
Press the monitor power button—
Firmly press the button to ensure that the monitor is turned on.
Check the monitor power light—
If the power light is lit or blinking, the monitor has power. If the power
light is blinking, press a key on the keyboard or move the mouse.
Check the monitor cable connection—
Check the connector for bent or broken pins. (It is normal for
monitor cable connectors to have missing pins.)
Test the electrical outlet—
Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device, such
as a lamp.
Swap the power cables—
Swap the computer and monitor power cables to determine if the power cable is
defective.
Test the video extension cable (if used)—
If you are using a video extension cable and removing the cable
solves the problem, the cable is defective.
Test another monitor—
If another monitor is available, connect it to the computer.
Check the diagnostic lights—
If all four lights (see "
Back Panel Diagnostic Light Codes
") are not green, contact Dell (see "
Getting Help
").
Check the card setting—
Enter system setup
and ensure that
Primary Video Controller
under the
Integrated Devices
option is set correctly. For an AGP card, set
Primary Video Controller
to
AGP
. For a
PCI card, set
Primary Video Controller
to
Auto
. Exit system setup and reboot the computer.
Run the Dell Diagnostics—
Reboot the computer and run the
Dell Diagnostics
. If any of the tests fail,
contact
Dell
.
If the screen is difficult to read
Check the monitor settings—
See the documentation that came with your monitor for instructions on
adjusting the contrast and brightness, demagnetizing (degaussing) the monitor, and running the monitor self-
test.
Move the subwoofer away from the monitor—
If your speaker system includes a subwoofer, ensure that
the subwoofer is at least 60 cm (2 ft) away from the monitor.
Move the monitor away from external power sources—
Fans, fluorescent lights, halogen lamps, and other
electrical devices can cause the screen image to appear "shaky". Turn off nearby devices to check for
interference.