1. THE MONITOR

2. A monitor is the computer display and the related components packaged into a single physical unit that is usually (but not always) separate from other parts of the PC. The display is commonly a cathode ray tube (CRT) or liquid crystal display (LCD), but it can also be a light-emitting diode, gas plasma, or other type of projector.

3. MONITOR DANGERS

4. Never underestimate the dangers associated with monitors: Leave monitor repairs to the experts. Keep liquids away. A spill into a monitor can provide the electricity a route to you and deliver a lethal electric shock

5. Never open the case or attempt any repair to a defective monitor If you suspect any problems, unplug the monitor immediately

6. MONITOR CARE

8. Keeping the system dust-free

10. Dust and dirt on the screen can cause eye strain as well as diminishing colors and screen brightness.

11. NEVER DO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING…

13. Never spray liquids or mists near a monitor, as this can give the electricity a path to reach you!

19. The easiest and best way to ensure that your system is kept safe from power fluctuations is to invest in a UPS(uninterrupted power supply) system. This is basically a device that allows your computer to keep running for a short period of time after the main power supply is lost. All good UPS system also provide protection from power surges.

20. Uninterrupted Power Supply

22. It is an integrated circuit board

23. Fitted inside a computer

26. Describes how the data is passed between the computer and the monitor

27. The greater the resolution, the finer the images on the screen appear

28. Most popular resolutions are 800x600, 1024x768, 1600x1200 pixels

31. Incompatible graphics adapter

32. Loose fitting graphics adapter

33. Broken/ damaged/ loose connector

34. Defective graphics adapter

39. The first and best source of drivers is the Internet. Visit the manufacturer’s website and see if they have a “drivers” or downloads section that you can browse. If the internet isn’t available to you, you will have to resort to phone support and having the driver sent to you in the mail.

40. DON’T UPGRADE UNLESS YOU NEED TO

41. There are three clear reasons why you should upgrade a graphics adapter driver:

42. You are currently having problems. The new driver is compatible with an operating system or other software you plan on installing. You are installing a new driver because the old driver had known defects that cause instabilities or performance issues.

48. Two standards you might see are DirectX and OpenGL (Open Graphics Library) both provide an application auto programming interface (API) that game makers (among others – good graphics are no longer something restricted to games) can use to build on. DirectX is a Microsoft standard, while Open GL was initiated by Silicon Graphics but is now an industry wide review board that includes 3Dlabs, Intel, IMB, Nvidia, and Sun Microsystems.

49. Loose Fitting Graphics Adapter

50. The continual heating and cooling that happens inside a PC during each switch-on and switch-off cycle can cause joint creep to occur. This expansion causes joints to become looser and cards to distort slightly. Graphics adapters are more prone to this kind of problem than other kinds of expansion cards because they themselves generate a lot of heat.

51. Each time you open the case on your computer, check the connections and look for any signs of distortion. If you see any, undo any of the connections and look for any of the connecting screws and remove the card before reseating it. Also, some graphics adapters have a separate power supply fed from a drive conneting socket. If this is a present, check ot for signs of looseness.

52. Broken/ Damaged/ Loose Monitor Connector

53. Undo the connector and visually check both the plug and the socket. Redo the connection, tightening up the screws hand tight and try it again. If you break a pin, there is a little chance that you can repair it. If you bend a pin, you’ll be able to fix it.

54. Take a small pair of tweezers. Gently grasp the whole of the bent pin in the tip of the tweezers. Carefully squeeze the pin straight, gently working the metal. Once you get the pin to the approximate position that it should be in, try reattaching the connector to it, slowly and carefully easing it onto the pins

55. 5. If the pin still seems out of alignment, go back to the tweezers and work on the pin again, bending it no more than is needed. 6. Never work a bent pin back and forth as this will undoubtedly break it off.

56. Defective Graphics Adapter

57. Nothing lasts forever, and consider that a PC is made up of dozens of interlinked components consisting of thousands of individual pars, each of which plays a key role. If even one fails, the whole computer is dead. The fastest easiest way to test a component is to try it on a known good system.

58. Remove the old card Insert the new one See if the system works.

59. Overheating

60. This may result to intermittent system problems (lockups, crashes, and reboots) or could even damage the components permanently. The CPU and hard drives generate the most heat boosts in the performance of graphics adapters have added them to the category of “heat generators” make use of heat sinks and fans to cool components, but these rely on a constant and ample air supply. This air also needs to be cooler than that of the component: otherwise no cooling will happen no matter how powerful the fans! Make sure you keep the air intakes on the case clear of dirt and dust and unobscured by books and papers.

61. Dirt and dust need to be cleaned out regularly. You will need to clean it more often in a room where there are carpets and pets, compares to a more sterile office environment. Clean fans carefully with compressed air and a vacuum cleaner. While you are working on the fans, remember that they are delicate. You should never press or turn fans by hand, as this will damage them. Don’t worry if the air blast causes them to rotate: that’s quite safe and won’t cause damage.

62. NOTES:

63. The monitor is a big part if the whole PC package and unfortunately, because of the high voltages inside it, is a part that should be left to the experts in the event of a problem with it. You can attach another monitor to the system and if that works it should show you that the faulty item is indeed the monitor and that it should be repaired or replaced. The graphics adapter is a key component of your system and carries out a vital job.

64. Manufacturers correct and compensate for many of the problems that users come across. Internet made it easy to get new, updated drivers. It also need looking after, in the form of making sure that the drivers are the best possible and that it is clean and getting adequate cooling. Make checking the graphics adapter a part of your regular maintenance routine.

65. Monitors and Graphics Adapters Troubleshooting Checklist

66. Never open the case on a monitor; always seek professional help if you have a problem with a monitor. If the adapter is newly installed, have you installed all the necessary drivers and software? Reinstall drivers and softwares. Check all the cables and connections between PC and monitor. Carefully check cables and connectors for signs of damage.

67. Check that you have all the tools you need before opening the case. Carry out safety checks (power off, etc.) Protect against ESD Open case Check graphics adapter seating. Remove and reseat are required. Check the graphics adapter cooling system (fan and heat sink)

68. Start up the system; install any software/drivers Thoroughly test the system If possible, try the graphics adapter on a different PC. If all else fails, contact tech support for the device.