Windows Vista - General Video Troubleshooting
Note: Some of the following procedures may require the use of an administrative username and password. Please click Continue or enter the proper username and password when prompted.
- Adjust the contrast and brightness.
- Check the monitor cable to make sure that there are no broken or bent pins and it is connected correctly. Check both ends of the cable (if applicable).
- Try another monitor (if available). If this is a portable computer - connect an external monitor to the system.
- Run a monitor self-test. Refer to the product information or user guide for the specific monitor for self-test procedures. Some monitors do not support this feature.
- For portable computers, press Fn+F4 to toggle the screen.
- Try booting to a bootable Operating System CD or bootable Application and Drivers CD if there is no video. If you see video, then it is not the monitor/LCD.
- Restart the computer and select the Last Known Good Configuration.
- Turn on the computer. After the Gateway BIOS logo appears, repeatedly press the F8 key until the Windows Advanced Options Menu appears.
- In the Advanced Boot Options Menu, use the arrow keys to select Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that worked), and then press the ENTER key.
- The computer starts using the configuration that worked last.
- For wavy or distorted video:
- Turn off any devices close to the computer that might cause electromagnetic interference. This could include powered speakers, fans (ceiling and desk), fluorescent lighting, printers, scanners, refrigerators, junction/electrical boxes, and any other device which puts out a magnetic field.
- Make sure that the refresh rate for the monitor is set correctly according to the monitor manufacturer's specifications. Does that problem happen at all resolutions? If so, then it is probably another device interfering with the monitor. If not, then it is probably an incorrect refresh rate.
- Try another monitor with the computer or this monitor with another computer.
- Reload the drivers for the video card. Remove the display adapter from Device Manager. Restart the computer so Windows can redetect the display adapter and reinstall the drivers properly.
- Remove any recently added hardware or software and restart the system.
Note: Turn off the computer and disconnect the power before removing hardware.
- Use Driver Rollback to revert to the previous driver if the issue started after installing a new device driver. The drivers are located in the Display Adapters section of Device Manager.
- Click Start. In the Start Search dialog box, type: device, and then click Device Manager.
- Click the plus (+) sign in front of Display Adapters to expand the list.
- Right-click on the adapter and click Properties.
- Click the Roll Back Driver button.
- Update driver if Driver Rollback was not performed.
- Click Start. In the Start Search dialog box, type: device, and click Device Manager.
- Click the plus (+) sign in front of Display Adapters to expand the list.
- Right-click on the adapter and click Properties.
- Click the Update Driver button and follow the prompts.
- Check all related issues. If an appropriate issue document is located and solves the issue, document the issue number in the appropriate Siebel Service Request within the session comments field.
- Eliminate all environmental issues, including the surge protector.
Note: Disconnecting the surge protector is for troubleshooting purposes only. After recreating the issue, reconnect the computer's power to the surge protector to protect against lightning or electrical damage.
- Eliminate any extension cables and switch boxes. Connect the monitor directly to the computer.
- Disconnect all external devices. For a portable, this includes any external monitor, mouse, keyboard, and/or docking station. Start the computer in Safe mode.
- Check the Display Adapters section of Device Manager for duplicate devices. Keep in mind that there will be duplicate devices if a dual-monitor configuration is being used.
- Recreate the issue, if possible. If the computer works properly in Safe mode, the issue may be a program or device driver.
- Check Device Manager in Normal mode. Verify the following:
- Everything is properly installed and does not contain a red X or yellow exclamation point.
- There are no device conflicts.
- There is no hardware listed under Other Devices.
- Uninstall, and then reinstall the video drivers. These are shown in the Display Adapters section of Device Manager.
- Use System Restore if the start date of the issue is known:
- Click Start. In the Start Search dialog box, type: system, and click System Restore.
- In the System Restore dialog box, click Choose a different restore point, and then click Next.
- In the System Restore dialog box, select a day and time from the list when the computer was working properly, and then click Next.
- Close any open programs, and then in the System Restore dialog box, click Finish.
- After the computer returns to Windows, in the System Restore dialog box, click OK.
- Determine whether the computer is working properly. If necessary, repeat the preceding steps selecting an earlier time and date.
- Decrease Hardware Acceleration one notch at a time, testing for the issue between each setting change.
- Click Start and then click Control Panel.
- Under Appearance and Personalization, click Adjust screen resolution.
- Click the Advanced Settings button, then click the Troubleshooting tab.
- Click the Change Settings button. If it is grayed out, then you cannot change the settings. Continue with troubleshooting.
- Disable all programs running in the background.
- Check the settings in the BIOS Setup Utility.
If following the above procedures did not resolve your problem, please contact Gateway through one of
the following methods:
|
