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Dell XPS M1710 Owner's Manual - Page 109

Video and Display Problems, If the Display Is Blank, If the Display Is Difficult to Read - lights how to change

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Video and Display Problems CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide. If the Display Is Blank NOTE: If you are using a program that requires a higher resolution than your computer supports, it is recommended that you attach an external monitor to your computer. CHECK THE BATTERY - If you are using a battery to power your computer, the battery charge may be depleted. Connect the computer to an electrical outlet using the AC adapter, and turn on the computer. TEST THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET - Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another device, such as a lamp. CHECK THE AC ADAPTER - Check the AC adapter cable connections. If the AC adapter has a light, ensure that the light is on. C O N N E C T T H E C O M P U T E R D I R E C T L Y T O A N E L E C T R I C A L O U T L E T - Bypass power protection devices, power strips, and the extension cable to verify that the computer turns on. ADJUST THE POWER PROPERTIES - Search for the keyword standby in the Windows Help and Support Center. SWITCH THE VIDEO IMAGE - If your computer is attached to an external monitor, press to switch the video image to the display. If the Display Is Difficult to Read A D J U S T T H E BRIGHTNESS - Press and the up- or down-arrow key M O V E T H E E X T E R N A L S U B W O O F E R A W A Y F R O M T H E C O M P U T E R O R M O N I T O R - If your external speaker system includes a subwoofer, ensure that the subwoofer is at least 60 cm (2 ft) away from the computer or external monitor. ELIMINATE POSSIBLE INTERFERENCE - Turn off nearby fans, fluorescent lights, halogen lamps, or other appliances. R O T A T E T H E C O M P U T E R T O F A C E A D I F F E R E N T D I R E C T I O N - Eliminate sunlight glare, which can cause poor picture quality. ADJUST THE WINDOWS DISPLAY SETTINGS - 1 Click the Start button and then click Control Panel. 2 Click Appearance and Themes. 3 Click the area you want to change or click the Display icon. 4 Try different settings for Color quality and Screen resolution. SEE "ERROR MESSAGES" - If an error message appears, see "Error Messages" on page 96 Troubleshooting 109

Section	Page
Owner’s Manual	1
Contents	3
Finding Information	11
A Tour of Your Computer	15
Determining Your Computer’s Configuration	15
Front View	16
Left Side View	20
Right Side View	21
Back View	23
Bottom View	26
Setting Up Your Computer	29
Connecting to the Internet	29
Setting Up Your Internet Connection	29
Transferring Information to a New Computer	30
Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard With the Operating System CD	30
Running the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Without the Operating System CD	31
Setting Up a Printer	33
Printer Cable	33
Connecting a USB Printer	33
Power Protection Devices	34
Surge Protectors	34
Line Conditioners	35
Uninterruptible Power Supplies	35
Using the Display	37
Adjusting Brightness	37
Switching the Video Image	37
Setting Display Resolution	38
Using the Keyboard and Touch Pad	39
Numeric Keypad	39
Key Combinations	40
System Functions	40
Battery	40
CD or DVD Tray	40
Display Functions	40
Wireless Networking and Bluetooth® Wireless Technology Function	40
Power Management	41
Speaker Functions	41
Microsoft® Windows® Logo Key Functions	41
Touch Pad	42
Customizing the Touch Pad	42
Using a Battery	43
Battery Performance	43
Checking the Battery Charge	44
Dell™ QuickSet Battery Meter	44
Microsoft® Windows® Power Meter	44
Charge Gauge	44
Low-Battery Warning	45
Conserving Battery Power	45
Power Management Modes	45
Standby Mode	45
Configuring Power Management Settings	47
Charging the Battery	47
Replacing the Battery	47
Storing a Battery	48
Dell™ QuickSet Features	49
Using CDs, DVDs, and Other Multimedia	51
Playing CDs or DVDs	51
Adjusting the Volume	52
Adjusting the Picture	53
Copying CDs and DVDs	54
How to Copy a CD or DVD	54
Using Blank CDs and DVDs	54
Helpful Tips	55
Using Dell Media Experience and Dell MediaDirect™	56
If the Computer Is On or in Standby Mode	56
If the Computer Is Off or in Hibernate Mode	56
Dell MediaDirect and Dell Media Experience Help	57
Connecting Your Computer to a TV or Audio Device	57
S-Video and Standard Audio	59
S-Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio	60
Composite Video and Standard Audio	62
Composite Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio	63
Component Video and Standard Audio	65
Component Video and S/PDIF Digital Audio	67
Setting Up the Cyberlink (CL) Headphones	69
Enabling the Display Settings for a TV in Microsoft® Windows® XP	70
Using Cards	71
ExpressCards	71
ExpressCard Blanks	71
Installing an ExpressCard	71
Removing an ExpressCard or Blank	73
Media Memory Cards	74
Installing a Media Memory Card	74
Removing a Media Memory Card	75
Smart Cards	76
Installing a Smart Card	76
Setting Up a Home and Office Network	79
Physically Connecting to a Network or Broadband Modem	79
Network Setup Wizard	80
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)	80
What You Need to Establish a WLAN Connection	80
Checking Your Wireless Network Card	80
Setting Up a New WLAN	81
Connecting to a Wireless Local Area Network	82
Determining the Wireless Network Device Manager	83
Completing the Connection to the WLAN	83
Enabling/Disabling the Wireless Network Card	84
Monitoring the Status of the Wireless Network Card Through Dell™ QuickSet	84
Mobile Broadband or Wireless Wide Area Network	84
What You Need to Establish a Mobile Broadband Network Connection	84
Checking Your Dell Mobile Broadband Card	85
Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network	85
Internet Connection Firewall	86
Securing Your Computer	87
Security Cable Lock	87
Passwords	87
Computer Tracking Software	88
If Your Computer Is Lost or Stolen	88
Troubleshooting	89
Dell Technical Update Service	89
Dell Diagnostics	89
When to Use the Dell Diagnostics	89
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive	89
Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities CD	90
Dell Diagnostics Main Menu	91
Dell Support Utility	92
Accessing the Dell Support Utility	92
Clicking the Dell Support Icon	93
Double-Clicking the Dell Support Icon	93
Drive Problems	93
CD and DVD Drive Problems	93
If You Cannot Eject the CD, CD-RW, DVD, or DVD+RW Drive Tray	94
If You Hear an Unfamiliar Scraping or Grinding Sound	94
Hard Drive Problems	94
E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems	94
Error Messages	96
IEEE 1394 Device Problems	99
Keyboard Problems	100
External Keyboard Problems	100
Unexpected Characters	100
Lockups and Software Problems	101
The Computer Does Not Start Up	101
The Computer Stops Responding	101
A Program Stops Responding or Crashes Repeatedly	101
A Program Is Designed for an Earlier Microsoft® Windows® Operating System	101
A Solid Blue Screen Appears	101
Dell MediaDirect Problems	102
Other Software Problems	102
Memory Problems	103
Network Problems	103
General	103
Mobile Broadband Network	103
ExpressCard Problems	104
Power Problems	105
Ensuring Sufficient Power for Your Computer	106
Docking Power Considerations	106
Printer Problems	106
Scanner Problems	107
Sound and Speaker Problems	107
No Sound From Integrated Speakers	107
No Sound From External Speakers	107
No Sound From Headphones	108
Touch Pad or Mouse Problems	108
Video and Display Problems	109
If the Display Is Blank	109
If the Display Is Difficult to Read	109
If Only Part of the Display is Readable	110
Drivers	110
What Is a Driver?	110
Identifying Drivers	110
Reinstalling Drivers and Utilities	111
Resolving Software and Hardware Incompatibilities	112
Restoring Your Operating System	113
Using Microsoft Windows XP System Restore	113
Using the Operating System CD	114
Adding and Replacing Parts	117
Before You Begin	117
Recommended Tools	117
Turning Off Your Computer	117
Before Working Inside Your Computer	118
Hard Drive	119
Returning a Hard Drive to Dell	121
Memory	121
Modem	124
Mini-Card	126
Hinge Cover	129
Keyboard	130
Coin-Cell Battery	131
Optical Drive	132
Internal Card With Bluetooth® Wireless Technology	133
Traveling With Your Computer	135
Identifying Your Computer	135
Packing the Computer	135
Travel Tips	136
Traveling by Air	136
Specifications	137
Getting Help	145
Obtaining Assistance	145
Online Services	145
AutoTech Service	146
Automated Order-Status Service	146
Support Service	146
Problems With Your Order	147
Product Information	147
Returning Items for Warranty Repair or Credit	147
Before You Call	147
Appendix	149
Using the System Setup Program	149
Viewing the System Setup Screens	149
System Setup Screen	149
Commonly Used Options	150
Cleaning Your Computer	151
Computer, Keyboard, and Display	151
Touch Pad	151
CDs and DVDs	151
FCC Notices (U.S. Only)	152
FCC Class B	152
Macrovision Product Notice	153
Dell Technical Support Policy (U.S. Only)	153
Definition of \	153
Definition of \	154
Contacting Dell	155
Glossary	173

Match case Limit results 1 per page

Troubleshooting

109

Video and Display Problems

CAUTION:

Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the

Product

Information Guide

If the Display Is Blank

NOTE:

If you are using a program that requires a higher resolution than your computer supports, it is

recommended that you attach an external monitor to your computer.

HECK

THE

BATTERY

—

If you are using a battery to power your computer, the battery charge may be

depleted. Connect the computer to an electrical outlet using the AC adapter, and turn on the computer.

EST

THE

ELECTRICAL

OUTLET

—

Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by testing it with another

device, such as a lamp.

HECK

THE

ADAPTER

—

Check the AC adapter cable connections. If the AC adapter has a light,

ensure that the light is on.

ONNECT

THE

COMPUTER

DIRECTLY

ELECTRICAL

OUTLET

—

Bypass power protection devices, power

strips, and the extension cable to verify that the computer turns on.

DJUST

THE

POWER

PROPERTIES

—

Search for the keyword

standby

in the Windows Help and Support

Center.

WITCH

THE

VIDEO

IMAGE

—

If your computer is attached to an external monitor, press <Fn><F8> to

switch the video image to the display.

If the Display Is Difficult to Read

DJUST

THE

BRIGHTNESS

—

Press <Fn> and the up- or down-arrow key

OVE

THE

EXTERNAL

SUBWOOFER

AWAY

FROM

THE

COMPUTER

MONITOR

—

If your external speaker

system includes a subwoofer, ensure that the subwoofer is at least 60 cm (2 ft) away from the computer

or external monitor.

LIMINATE

POSSIBLE

INTERFERENCE

—

Turn off nearby fans, fluorescent lights, halogen lamps, or other

appliances.

OTATE

THE

COMPUTER

FACE

DIFFERENT

DIRECTION

—

Eliminate sunlight glare, which can cause poor

picture quality.

DJUST

THE

INDOWS

DISPLAY

SETTINGS

—

Click the

Start

button and then click

Control Panel

Click

Appearance and Themes

Click the area you want to change or click the

Display

icon.

Try different settings for

Color quality

and

Screen resolution

RROR

ESSAGES

"—

If an error message appears, see "Error Messages" on page 96