Dell Precision T3400 (Late 2007): Video and Monitor Problems The screen is blank
Video and Monitor Problems The screen is blank: Dell Precision T3400 (Late 2007)
Table of contents
- Notes, Notices, and Cautions
- Contents
- 4 Contents
- Finding Information What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
- What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
- What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
- What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
- What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
- What Are You Looking For? Find It Here
- About Your Computer Front View (Tower Orientation) 4 lower 3.5-inch drive bay
- 9 power button Press to turn on the computer.
- 14 network link light The network link light is on when a good connection
- Back View (Tower Orientation)
- Front View (Desktop Orientation) 4 hard drive activity light
- 7 power button Press to turn on the computer.
- 12 network link light The network link light is on when a good connection
- Back View (Desktop Orientation)
- Back Panel Connectors 1 mouse connector Plug a PS/2 mouse into the green mouse connector. Turn off
- 8 Rear Dual USB 2.0 connectors (2)
- 11 keyboard connector Setting Up Your Computer Changing Between Tower and Desktop Orientations
- Switching From Tower to Desktop Orientation Switching From Desktop to Tower Orientation Installing Your Computer in an Enclosure
- • Leave 10.2 cm (4 in) minimum clearance on all vented sides of the computer to permit the airflow required for proper ventilation.
- • Do not install your computer in an enclosure that does not allow airflow.
- Transferring Information to a New Computer Microsoft Windows XP
- Files and Settings Transfer Wizard (With the Operating System Media)
- Files and Settings Transfer Wizard (Without the Operating System Media)
- TRANSFER DATA TO THE DESTINATION COMPUTER: Power Protection Devices
- Surge Protectors Line Conditioners Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS)
- Cleaning Your Computer Computer, Keyboard, and Monitor Mouse (Non-Optical)
- Floppy Drive CDs and DVDs Troubleshooting Tools Power Lights
- • Eliminate interference. Some possible causes of interference are:
- Diagnostic Lights Diagnostic Light Codes During POST Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution
- Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution
- Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution
- Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution
- Light Pattern Problem Description Suggested Resolution Beep Codes Code Cause
- Code Description Suggested Remedy
- Code Description Suggested Remedy System Messages
- NOT A BOOT DISKETTE —Insert a bootable floppy disk and restart your computer.
- Hardware Troubleshooter Dell Diagnostics When to Use the Dell Diagnostics
- Starting the Dell Diagnostics From Your Hard Drive
- Starting the Dell Diagnostics From the Drivers and Utilities Disc
- Dell Diagnostics Main Menu Option Function
- Tab Function Troubleshooting
- Battery Problems Drive Problems
- Optical drive problems Problems writing to an optical drive Hard drive problems
- E-Mail, Modem, and Internet Problems RUN THE MODEM DIAGNOSTIC TOOL — VERIFY THAT THE MODEM IS COMMUNICATING WITH WINDOWS —
- Error Messages
- IEEE 1394 Device Problems
- Keyboard Problems Lockups and Software Problems The computer does not start up The computer stops responding
- A program stops responding A program crashes repeatedly A program is designed for an earlier Windows operating system A solid blue screen appears
- Other software problems Memory Problems F YOU RECEIVE AN INSUFFICIENT MEMORY MESSAGE — IF YOU EXPERIENCE OTHER MEMORY PROBLEMS —
- Mouse Problems RESTART THE COMPUTER — TEST THE MOUSE — Connect a properly working mouse to the computer, then try C HECK THE MOUSE SETTINGS — REINSTALL THE MOUSE DRIVER — See "Drivers" in your User’s Guide. R UN THE HARDWARE TROUBLESHOOTER — See "Hardware Troubleshooter" on
- Network Problems Power Problems
- Printer Problems
- Scanner Problems
- Sound and Speaker Problems
- Video and Monitor Problems The screen is blank
- The screen is difficult to read 3D image quality is poor Only part of the screen is readable
Video and Monitor Problems
CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the
safety instructions in the
Product Information Guide
.
NOTICE: If your computer came with a PCI Express graphics card installed,
removal of the card is not necessary when installing additional graphics cards;
however, the card is required for troubleshooting purposes. If you remove the card,
store it in a safe and secure location. For information about your graphics card, go
to support.dell.com.
The screen is blank
NOTE: For troubleshooting procedures, see the monitor’s documentation.
C
HECK THE MONITOR CABLE CONNECTION —
• Ensure that the monitor cable is connected to the correct graphics card (for dual
graphics card configurations).
• If you are using a DVI-to-VGA adapter, ensure that the adapter is correctly attached to
the graphics card and monitor.
• Ensure that the monitor cable is connected as shown on the setup diagram for your
computer.
• Remove any video extension cables and connect the monitor directly to the computer.
• Swap the computer and monitor power cables to determine if the monitor’s power
cable is defective.
• Check the connectors for bent or broken pins (it is normal for monitor cable
connectors to have missing pins).
CHECK THE MONITOR POWER LIGHT —
• If the power light is lit or blinking, the monitor has power.
• If the power light is off, firmly press the button to ensure that the monitor is
turned on.
• If the power light is blinking, press a key on the keyboard or move the mouse to
resume normal operation.
TEST THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET — Ensure that the electrical outlet is working by
testing it with another device, such as a lamp.
C
HECK THE DIAGNOSTIC LIGHTS — See "Diagnostic Lights" on page 33.
Quick Reference Guide 59
