Dell Inspiron 3800 - Manual (Page 13)

display supports, the settings adjust automatically to the closest possible setting.
If You Have Display Problems
If your computer is receiving power, but nothing appears on your display (such as light, text, or graphics) or the display image does not appear as
you would expect, try the following measures to resolve the problem:
1. If the display is blank, you may be in standby mode. Press the power button to resume from standby mode.
If the display is blank and the power light-emitting diode (LED) is on, the display may have timed out. In this case, press any key on the
keyboard to resume normal operation.
2. If the low-battery light is blinking, connect the AC adapter to the computer or replace the battery.
3. Adjust the brightness.
4. If your computer is attached to an external monitor, press <Fn><F8> to switch the video image to the display.
Extended Desktop Mode
With the Microsoft Windows 98 or Windows 2000 operating system, you can use an external monitor as an extension of your display. The
extended desktop feature gives your computer the ability to display video of different content and resolution on both the computer display screen
and the external display. To set up your computer for extended desktop, perform the following steps:
1. Save your work, close all open files and application programs, and shut down the computer.
2. Connect the external monitor , TV, or projector to the computer.
3. Turn your computer on.
4. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
5. Double-click the Display icon, and then click the Settings tab.
6. Change the Colors option to High Color (16 bit) or True Color (24 bit).
7. Click on the picture of Monitor 2.
The Monitor # 2 dialog box appears. It asks if you want to activate Monitor 2.
8. Click Yes.
9. Adjust the Screen Area to the desired resolution to be displayed on your external monitor.
10. Change the Colors option to High Color (16 bit) or True Color (24 bit).
11. Drag the picture of Monitor 2 to match the physical position of the external monitor relative to your computer's display.
For example, if the external monitor is located physically above your computer's display, drag the Monitor 2 picture to place it above the
Monitor 1 picture.
12. Verify that the Extend my Windows desktop to this monitor check box is checked.
If it is not checked, click on the check box to check it.
13. Click Apply.
14. Click OK.
15. Click Yes.
16. Click OK to close the Display Properties dialog box.
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NOTE: True Simul-mode (the ability to simultaneously display video of the same content and resolution on both the
computer display screen and the external monitor) is not supported if the computer is booted to MS-DOS, using a full-
screen MS-DOS session under a Microsoft Windows operating system, or the ATI Mobility M1 video driver is not
loaded. This limitation may also be noted in operating systems other than Microsoft Windows.