Solving display problems
These suggestions apply to monitors connected to desktop and tower congurations, and to external
monitors connected to all-in-one congurations.
Problem Cause Solution
Blank screen (no video). The cable connections are not
correct.
Verify the cable connections from the monitor to the
computer and to a working electrical outlet.
The monitor is o. Turn the monitor on (LED is on). You might need to refer to the
monitor manual for an explanation of LED signals.
Screen blanking utility installed
or energy saver features
enabled.
Press a key or the mouse button and, if set, enter your
password.
System ROM is bad; system is
running in FailSafe Boot Block
mode (indicated by 8 beeps).
Reash the ROM using a SoftPaq.
Fixed-sync monitor does not
sync at the resolution specied.
Verify that the monitor can accept the same horizontal scan
rate as the resolution specied.
Computer is in Hibernate mode. Press the power button to resume from Hibernate mode.
Workstation monitor settings
are not compatible with the
monitor.
1. When you see Press f8 in the bottom-right corner of the
screen, restart the computer and press f8 during
startup.
2. Using the keyboard arrow keys, select Enable VGA
Mode, and then press enter.
3. For Windows, double-click the Display icon in the
Control Panel and then select the Settings tab.
4. Use the sliding control to reset the resolution.
The display works properly during
the POST but goes blank when the
operating system starts.
The display settings in the
operating system are
incompatible with your graphics
card and monitor.
1. For Windows, restart your computer in VGA mode.
2. After the operating system starts, change the display
settings to match those supported by your graphics card
and monitor.
3. Refer to your operating system and graphics card
documentation for information about changing display
settings.
Power LED ashes red 6 times (once
every second), followed by a two-
second pause, and then the
computer beeps 6 times.
Pre-video graphics error. For systems with a graphics card:
1. Reseat the graphics card.
2. If the card requires external power, make sure the power
cable is properly connected.
3. Replace the graphics card.
4. Replace the system board.
For systems with no graphics card installed, the CPU may have
no integrated graphics capability.
Monitor does not function when used
with Energy Saver features.
Monitor without Energy Saver
capabilities is being used with
Energy Saver features enabled.
Disable the monitor Energy Saver feature.
Dim characters The brightness and contrast
controls are not set properly.
Adjust the monitor brightness and contrast controls.
Troubleshooting scenarios and solutions 69