Dell E178fp Users Guide

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Product Specific Problems  
 
  Monitor Specific Troubleshooting   
  Common Problems  
  Product Specific Problems  
   
Monitor Specific Troubleshooting  
Self - Test Feature Check (STFC)  
Your monitor provides a self - test feature that allows you to check whether your monitor is functioning properly. If your monitor and computer are properly 
connected but the monitor screen remains dark, run the monitor self - test by performing the following steps:   
1. Turn off both your computer and the monitor.   
2. Unplug the video cable from the back of the computer. To ensure proper Self - Test operation, remove the Analog (blue connector) cables from the back of 
computer.   
3. Turn on the monitor. 
4. This box also appears during normal system operation if the video cable becomes disconnected or damaged.   
5. Turn off your monitor and reconnect the video cable; then turn on both your computer and the monitor.   
If your monitor screen remains blank after you use the previous procedure, check your video controller and computer system; your monitor is functioning 
properly.   
OSD Warning Messages  
For OSD - related issues, see  OSD Warning Messages  
Common Problems  
The following table contains general information about common monitor problems you might encounter.   C AUTION:  Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the  Safety Instructions .  
The floating 'Dell™  -  Self - Test Feature Check dialog box should appear on - screen (against a black background) if the monitor cannot sense a video 
signal and is working correctly. While in self - test mode, the power LED remains green. Also, depending upon the selected input, one of the dialogs 
shown below will continuously scroll through the screen. 
COMMON SYMPTOMS   WHAT YOU EXPERIENCE   POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS  
No Video/ Power LED off No picture, monitor is dead l Check connection integrity at both ends of the video cable   
l Electric outlet verification   
l Ensure power button depressed fully  
No Video/ Power LED on No picture or no brightness l Increase brightness & contrast controls   
l Perform monitor self - test feature check   
l Check for bent or broken pins  
Poor Focus Picture is fuzzy, blurry or ghosting l Press Auto Adjust button   
l Adjust Phase and Clock controls through OSD   
l Eliminate video extension cables   
l Perform monitor reset   
l Lower video resolution or increase font size   
Shaky/Jittery Video Wavy picture or fine movement l Press Auto Adjust button     
						

							Product Specific Problems   l Adjust Phase and Clock controls through OSD   
l Perform monitor reset   
l Check environmental factors   
l Relocate and test in  another  room   
Missing Pixels LCD screen has spots l Cycle power on - off   
l These are pixels that are permanently off and is a natural defect that occurs in LCD 
technology   
Stuck - on Pixels LCD screen has bright spots l Cycle power on - off   
l These are pixels that are permanently on and is a natural defect that occurs in LCD 
technology   
Brightness Problems Picture too dim or too bright l Perform monitor reset on All Settings   
l Press Auto Adjust button   
l Adjust brightness & contrast controls   
Geometric Distortion Screen not centered correctly l Perform monitor reset on Position Settings Only   
l Press auto - adjust button   
l Adjust the centering controls   
l Ensure monitor is in proper video mode   
Horizontal/Vertical Lines Screen has one or more lines l Perform monitor reset on All Settings   
l Press Auto Adjust button   
l Adjust Phase and Clock controls via OSD   
l Perform monitor self - test feature check and determine if these lines are also in self -
test mode   
l Check for bent or broken pins   
Sync Problems Screen is scrambled or appears 
torn l Perform monitor reset on All Settings   
l Press Auto Adjust button   
l Adjust Phase and Clock controls via OSD   
l Perform monitor self - test feature check to determine if scrambled screen appears in 
self - test mode   
l Check for bent or broken pins   
l Boot up in the  safe mode   
LCD Scratched Screen has scratches or smudges l Turn monitor off and clean the screen   
l For cleaning instruction, see  Caring for your Monitor .   
Safety Related Issues Visible signs of smoke or sparks l Do not perform any troubleshooting steps   
l Monitor needs to be replaced   
Intermittent Problems Monitor malfunctions on & off l Ensure monitor is in proper video mode   
l Ensure video cable connection to computer and to the flat panel is secure   
l Perform monitor reset on All Settings   
l Perform monitor self - test feature check to determine if the intermittent problem 
occurs in self - test mode   
Missing Color Picture missing color l Perform monitor self - test feature check    
l Check connection integrity at both end of the video cable    
l Check for bent or broken pins    
Wrong Color Picture color not good l Change the color to User Preset    
l Adjust R/G/B value of User Preset    
Image Retention (from a 
static imageyf  Faint Shadow from the static image 
displayed appears on the screen l Use the Power Management feature to turn off the monitor at all times when not in 
use. Alternatively, use a dynamically changing screensaver left on the monitor for a 
long period of time.   
l In OSD Menu, under Reset to Factory Settings, select  Enable LCD Conditioning. 
Using this option may take several hours before the image is eliminated.   
NOTE:   Image Burn - in is not covered by your warranty.  
SPECIFIC SYMPTOMS WHAT YOU EXPERIENCE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
Screen image is too small Image is centered on screen, but does not 
fill entire viewing area l Perform monitor reset on All Settings   
Cannot adjust the monitor 
with the buttons on the 
front panel OSD does not appear on the screen l Turn the monitor off and unplug the power cord and 
then plug back and power on   
The monitor will not go into 
power saving mode. No picture, the LED light is green. When 
press +,  -  or Menu key, the message 
 No input signal  will appear. l Move mouse or hit any key on the keyboard on the 
computer or  activate video player,  then access the 
OSD to set both Audio/Video to  off  state.     
						

							Back to Contents Page  No Input Signal when user 
controls pressed No picture, the LED light is green. When 
press +,  -  or Menu key, the message 
 No input signal  will appear. l Check the signal source Make sure the Computer is 
not in power saving by moving mouse or pressing 
any key on the keyboard.   
l Check whether the signal cable is plugged in and 
seated properly.  Re - plug the signal cable if 
necessary.   
l Re - boot the computer or video player.   
OSD Lock  All buttons are locked except the menu 
button. No user adjustments are allowed.    l Press the menu button for over 15 seconds to 
unlock the OSD menu.     
						

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Using Your Monitor Stand   
 
Attaching the Stand  
Organizing Your Cables  
Using the Tilt  
Removing the Stand  
Attaching the Stand  
 
1. Place the stand on a flat surface.   
2. Fit the groove on the back of the monitor onto the two teeth of the upper stand.   
3. Lower the monitor so that the monitor mounting area snaps on/locks to the stand.  
Organizing Your Cables  
 
After attaching all necessary cables to your monitor and computer, (See  Connecting Your Monitor  for cable attachment,) use the cable holder to 
neatly organize all cables as shown above.  
Using the Tilt  
With the built - in pedestal, you can tilt the monitor to best suit your viewing needs.    NOTE: Stand is detached when the monitor is shipped from the factory.     
						

							 
Removing the Stand  
After placing the monitor panel on a soft cloth or cushion, press and hold the LCD removal button, and then remove the stand.   
 
Back to Contents Page    NOTE: To prevent scratches on the LCD screen while removing the stand, ensure that the monitor is placed on a clean 
surface.