Dell E1911 Users Guide

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Troubleshooting  
 
E1911  monitor  
   Self - Test  
   Common Problems  
   Product Specific Problems  
   Dell Soundbar Problems  
   
Self - Test  
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 both Digital (white connector) and 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. The monitor will enter  Power Save Mode 
after 15 minutes  if left at this state.   
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, because your monitor is functioning 
properly.  
Built - in Diagnostics  
Your monitor has a built - in diagnostic tool that helps you determine if the screen abnormality you are experiencing is an inherent problem with your monitor, or 
with your computer and video card.  WARNING:  Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the  Safety Instructions .  
The floating 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. 
  or     
						

							 
To run the built - in diagnostics:  
1. Ensure that the screen is clean (no dust particles on the surface of the screen).   
2. Unplug the video cable(s) from the back of the computer or monitor. The monitor then goes into the self - test mode.   
3. Press and hold the  Button 1  and  Button 4  on the front panel, simultaneously for 2 seconds. A gray screen appears.   
4. Carefully inspect the screen for abnormalities.   
5. Press the  Button 4  on the front panel again. The color of the screen changes to red.   
6. Inspect the display for any abnormalities.   
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 to inspect the display in green, blue, black, white screens.   
The test is complete when the white screen appears. To exit, press the  Button 4  again.    
If you do not detect any screen abnormalities upon using the built - in diagnostic tool, the monitor is functioning properly. Check the video card and computer.  
Common Problems  
The following table contains general information about common monitor problems you might encounter.   
Common Symptoms   What You Experience   Possible Solutions  
No Video/Power LED off No picture l Ensure that the video cable connecting the monitor and the computer is properly connected 
and secure.   
l Verify that the power outlet is functioning properly using any other electrical equipment. 
l Ensure that the power button is depressed fully.   
No Video/Power LED on No picture or no brightness l Increase brightness & contrast controls via OSD.   
l Perform monitor self - test feature check.   
l Check for bent or broken pins in the video cable connector.   
l Touch button 5 located above the power button, ensure that the correct input source is 
selected via the  Input Source Select  menu.   
l Run the built - in diagnostics.   
Poor Focus Picture is fuzzy, blurry, or ghosting l Perform Auto Adjust via OSD.   
l Adjust the Phase and Pixel Clock controls via OSD.   
l Eliminate video extension cables.   
l Reset the monitor to Factory Settings.   
l Change the video resolution to the correct aspect ratio (16:10).   
Shaky/Jittery Video Wavy picture or fine movement l Perform Auto Adjust via OSD.   
l Adjust the Phase and Pixel Clock controls via OSD.   
l Reset the monitor to Factory Settings.   
l Check environmental factors.   
l Relocate the monitor and test in another room.   
Missing Pixels LCD screen has spots l Cycle power on - off.   
l Pixel that is permanently off is a natural defect that can occur in LCD technology. 
For more information on Dell Monitor Quality and Pixel Policy, see Dell Support site at: 
support.dell.com .  
Stuck - on Pixels LCD screen has bright spots l Cycle power on - off.   
l Pixel that is permanently off is a natural defect that can occur in LCD technology. 
For more information on Dell Monitor Quality and Pixel Policy, see Dell Support site at: 
support.dell.com .  
Brightness Problems Picture too dim or too bright l Reset the monitor to Factory Settings.     
						

							    
Product Specific Problems  
 Problems   l Auto Adjust via OSD.   
l Adjust brightness & contrast controls via OSD.   
Geometric Distortion Screen not centered correctly l Reset the monitor to Factory Settings.   
l Auto Adjust via OSD.   
l Adjust brightness & contrast controls via OSD.   
NOTE: When using DVI - D, the positioning adjustments are not available.   
Horizontal/Vertical Lines Screen has one or more lines l Reset the monitor to Factory Settings.   
l Perform Auto Adjust via OSD.   
l Adjust Phase and Pixel Clock controls via OSD.   
l Perform monitor self - test feature check and determine if these lines are also in self
mode.   
l Check for bent or broken pins in the video cable connector.   
NOTE: When using DVI - D, the Pixel Clock and Phase adjustments are not available. 
Synchronization Problems Screen is scrambled or appears torn l Reset the monitor to Factory Settings.   
l Perform Auto Adjust via OSD.   
l Adjust Phase and Pixel 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 in the video cable connector.   
l Restart the computer in the  safe mode .   
Safety Related Issues Visible signs of smoke or sparks l Do not perform any troubleshooting steps.   
l Contact Dell immediately.   
Intermittent Problems Monitor malfunctions on & off l Ensure that the video cable connecting the monitor to the computer is connected properly 
and is secure.   
l Reset the monitor to Factory 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 Ensure that the video cable connecting the monitor to the computer is connected properly 
and is secure.   
l Check for bent or broken pins in the video cable connector.   
Wrong Color Picture color not good l Change the Color Setting Mode in the Color Settings OSD to Graphics or Video depending 
to the application.   
l Try different Color Preset Settings in Color Settings OSD. Adjust R/G/B value in Color 
Settings OSD if the Color Management is turned off.   
l Change the Input Color Format to PC RGB or YPbPr in the Advance Setting OSD. 
Image retention  from a static 
image left on the monitor for a 
long period of time 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 (for 
more information, see  Power Management Modes ).   
l Alternatively, use a dynamically changing screensaver.   
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 R eset the monitor to Factory Settings .  
Cannot adjust the monitor with 
the buttons on the front panel OSD does not appear on the 
screen l Turn off the monitor, unplug the power cord, plug back, and then turn on the monitor .   
The picture does not fill the 
entire screen. The picture cannot fill the 
height or width of the screen l Due to different video formats (aspect ratio) of DVDs, the monitor may display in full 
screen.   
l Run the built - in diagnostics.   
NOTE:  When choosing DVI - D mode,   the  Auto Adjust    function  is not available.    
Common Symptoms   What You Experience   Possible Solutions  
No sound for system where 
the Soundbar draws power 
from an AC adapter No power to Soundbar  -  the 
power indicator is off  l Turn the Power/Volume knob on the Soundbar clockwise to the middle position; check if 
the power indicator (green LED) on the front of the Soundbar is illuminated.   
l Confirm that the power cable from the Soundbar is plugged into the adapter.   
No Sound Soundbar has power  -  power 
indicator is on l Plug the audio line - in cable into the computers audio out jack.   
l Set all volume controls to their maximum and ensure that the mute option is not 
enabled.   
l Play some audio content on the computer (example, audio CD, or MP3).   
l Turn the Power/Volume knob on the Soundbar clockwise to a higher volume setting.   
l Clean and reseat the audio line - in plug.     
						

							   
Back to Contents Page   l Test the Soundbar using another audio source (For example: portable CD player, MP3 
player).   
Distorted Sound Computers sound card is used 
as the audio source l Clear any obstructions between the Soundbar and the user.   
l Confirm that the audio line - in plug is completely inserted into the jack of the sound card. 
l Set all Windows volume controls to their midpoints.   
l Decrease the volume of the audio application.   
l Turn the Power/Volume knob on the Soundbar counter - clockwise to a lower volume 
setting.   
l Clean and reseat the audio line - in plug.   
l Troubleshoot the computers sound card.   
l Test the Soundbar using another audio source (For example: portable CD player, MP3 
player).   
l Avoid using an audio cable extension or audio jack converter.   
Distorted Sound Other audio source is used l Clear any obstructions between the Soundbar and the user.   
l Confirm that the audio line - in plug is completely inserted into the jack of the audio 
source.   
l Decrease the volume of the audio source.   
l Turn the Power/Volume knob on the Soundbar counter - clockwise to a lower volume 
setting.   
l Clean and reseat the audio line - in plug.   
Unbalanced Sound Output Sound from only one side of 
Soundbar l Clear any obstructions between the Soundbar and the user.   
l Confirm that the audio line - in plug is completely inserted into the jack of the sound card 
or audio source.   
l Set all Windows audio balance controls (L - R) to their midpoints.   
l Clean and reseat the audio line - in plug.   
l Troubleshoot the computers sound card.   
l Test the Soundbar using another audio source (For example: portable CD player, MP3 
player).   
Low Volume Volume is too low l Clear any obstructions between the Soundbar and the user.   
l Turn the Power/Volume knob on the Soundbar clockwise to the maximum volume 
setting.   
l Set all Windows volume controls to their maximum.   
l Increase the volume of the audio application.   
l Test the Soundbar using another audio source (For example: portable CD player, MP3 
player)