Dell Latitude XPiCD Reference Manual

Also see for Latitude XPi CD: Manual User guide Service manual

Contents

Dell Latitude XPiCD Reference Manual Manual pdf 67 page image

Troubleshooting Your Computer 3-279. Turn on the computer and the monitor, andadjust the monitor’s brightness and contrast con-trols. Is the monitor readable?Yes. The computer’s display may be defective. CallDell for technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Get-ting Help.”)No. The computer’s video controller on the systemboard may be defective. Run the Video Test Groupof the Dell diagnostics. (See Chapter 4, “Running theDell Diagnostics,” for instructions.) If you cannotisolate the problem after running the diagnostics, callDell for technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Get-ting Help.”)Troubleshooting an External MonitorDuring POST, the computer checks to see if an externalmonitor is attached to the computer; if one is, the videocontrol circuitry sends information to the external moni-tor rather than to the computer’s display. If no imageappears on the external monitor you are using when thecomputer boots, make a copy of the Diagnostics Check-list found in Chapter 5 and fill it out as you complete thefollowing procedure.NOTE: Before you begin this procedure, make sure thatthe SYSTEM SWITCH option in the System Setup program isset to ON/OFF. For instructions, see “Using the System SetupProgram” in Chapter 2.1. Make sure the external monitor’s video cable isfirmly connected to the computer’s monitor con-nector, and verify that the monitor’s power cable(if it has one) is firmly plugged into an AC powersource. Make sure the monitor is turned on.2. Reboot the computer by pressing<CTRL><ALT><DEL>, and then adjust the monitor’sbrightness and contrast controls. Is the monitorreadable?Allow one minute for the computer to initialize itscomponents.Yes. The problem is resolved.No. Continue to step 3.3. Raise the built-in display into viewing position,if necessary, and press <FN><F8> or<CTRL><ALT><F8> to switch the video image fromthe external monitor to the display.4. Use the <FN><↓> or <FN><↑> key combination toadjust the brightness. Use the <FN><←> or<FN><→> key combination to adjust the contrast. Isthe full display readable?NOTE: Contrast cannot be adjusted on the active-matrix color display.Yes. The external monitor may be defective. Con-tinue to step 5.No. The video controller on the system board may bedefective. Run the Video Test Group of the Delldiagnostics. (See Chapter 4, “Running the Dell Diag-nostics,” for instructions.) If you cannot isolate theproblem, call Dell for technical assistance. (SeeChapter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.)5. Turn off the computer and any attached periph-erals. Disconnect all peripherals from thecomputer. Attach another external monitor to thecomputer.For instructions, see the topic titled “Connecting anExternal Monitor” in the online System User’s Guide.If you do not have another external monitor, call Dell fortechnical assistance. See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” forinstructions.6. Reboot the computer, and adjust the monitor’sbrightness and contrast. Is the monitor readable?Allow one minute for the computer to initialize itscomponents.Yes. The original monitor is defective. Call Dell fortechnical assistance. See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,”for instructions.No. Call Dell for technical assistance. See Chap-ter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.Troubleshooting Serial and ParallelPortsThis section provides a procedure for troubleshooting theports on your computer’s serial and parallel ports (shownin Figure 3-3) and any attached peripheral devices. Thissection also provides a procedure for troubleshooting thecomputer’s infrared ports.