Dell Inspiron 3500 - Manual (Page 77)

Troubleshooting Your Computer 3-31
2. Press the <Fn><F8> key combination on the integrated keyboard several times.
Does an image appear on the external monitor?
Yes. The problem is resolved.
No. Go to step 3.
3. Make sure the external monitor’s video cable is firmly connected to the com-
puter’s external monitor connector, and then verify that the monitor’s power
cable (if it has one) is firmly plugged into an AC power source. Make sure the
monitor is turned on.
4. Check the monitor cable for bent pins.
5. Turn off the computer, wait a minute, and then turn the computer back on. Adjust
the monitor’s brightness and contrast controls. Is the monitor readable?
Allow one minute for the computer to initialize its components.
Yes. The problem is resolved.
No. Go to step 6.
6. Raise your computer’s display into viewing position, if necessary, and press
<Fn><F8> to switch the video image from the external monitor to the display.
7. Use the <Fn> down-arrow or <Fn> up-arrow key combination to adjust the
brightness. Is the full display readable?
Yes. The external monitor may be defective. Go to step 8.
No. The video controller on the system board may be defective. Call Dell for tech-
nical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.)
8. Turn off the computer and any attached peripherals. Disconnect all peripherals
from the computer. Attach another external monitor to the computer.
If you do not have another external monitor, call Dell for technical assistance.
(See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.)
9. Reboot the computer, and adjust the monitor’s brightness and contrast. Is the
monitor readable?
Allow one minute for the computer to initialize its components.
Yes. The original monitor is defective. Call Dell for technical assistance. (See
Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for instructions.)
No. Call Dell for technical assistance. (See Chapter 5, “Getting Help,” for
instructions.)
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This section provides a procedure for troubleshooting the computer’s serial and
parallel ports (shown in Figure 3-4) and any attached peripheral devices.