Some of these steps may not apply to your computer. Test the system video after performing each step.

To begin video troubleshooting, select from the following issues:

No video display on the Value Line notebook LCD

Unsatisfactory video display on the Value Line notebook LCD

External monitor issues

1. Verify the Value Line notebook is powered on.
   If the Value Line notebook power status indicator is not illuminated, then see Troubleshooting Power issues.
2. Ensure the system is not in suspend mode by pressing and holding the Fn key for 10 seconds.
3. Toggle between the internal LCD display and an external CRT display by pressing the Fn and F7 keys simultaneously on the Value Line notebook keyboard.
   Notes:
   • The Presentation Director menu window may interfere with the functionality of the Fn and F7 keystroke.
   • There are generally three display mode settings to toggle through (LCD, CRT, and both).
4. Disconnect any external displays.
5. Power down the system.
   If the system is attached to a docking station or port replicator, then remove the Value Line notebook.
6. Verify that the display works on startup
   Power on the computer and see if you startup sequence is displayed.
7. Contact your local Support Center if there is still no video display on the Value Line notebook LCD. Your Value Line notebook may need service.
8. If these steps have not solved your problem refer to "Need more help?"

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1. Verify that the display panel is cleaned to prevent distortions.
2. Verify that the latest BIOS for the Value Line notebook has been installed.
   If the display works in the BIOS Setup Utility, then verify that the latest BIOS for the Value Line notebook has been installed.
   Click here to view the latest BIOS files for all Value Line notebooks.
   
   
3. Verify that the latest video driver for the operating system and Value Line notebooks have been installed properly according to the install instructions and readme from the software and device driver files for your Value Line notebook. (Click here to learn what a device driver is.)
4. Check display settings for resolution (screen area) and color depth.
   The wrong settings may cause the Value Line notebook LCD panel to appear to have a black border when a resolution is used that is smaller than the actual LCD screen size.
   
   1. For Microsoft Windows 2000, click Start, select Settings, and then click Control Panel. Double-click Display.
      For Microsoft Windows XP, click Start, and then click Control Panel. Click Appearance and Themes and then click Display.
   2. Click the Settings tab.
   3. In the Screen Area box, increment the slider one position at a time to increase the size and click Apply until the screen is filled.
      Note: The most typical screen area size for Value Line notebooks is 1024x768.
   4. Click the Advanced button to verify the advanced display settings for Monitor, Refresh rate (frequency), and Hardware acceleration.
      Note: The most typical advanced settings for Value Line notebooks are Laptop display panel 1024x768 for monitor, 60 Hertz for Refresh rate, and Full for Hardware acceleration.
5. Check the brightness setting.
   A lowered brightness setting may cause the display to appear dim.
   Press and hold the Fn key and then press the F11 key to increase the LCD brightness setting.
6. A small number of missing, discolored, or lit all the time dots or pixels is characteristic of thin-film transistor (TFT) liquid crystal display (LCD) technology due to manufacturing process for such technology irrespective of manufacturer. If your LCD has defective pixels, it should not be considered faulty until the number of defective pixels meets or exceeds the number listed in the Pixel policy criteria.
7. If these steps have not solved your problem refer to "Need more help?"

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1. See the External monitor (Flat-Panel and CRT) troubleshooting solutions guide for more information.
   Note: Using a resolution lower than the native resolution on flat panel monitors will cause distortion, loss of detail, and general blurriness.
2. Connect a known good external monitor and press the Fn and F7 keys simultaneously to change the display mode.
   Notes:
   • The Presentation Director menu window may interfere with the functionality of the Fn and F7 keystroke.
   • There are generally three display mode settings to toggle through (LCD, CRT, and both).
3. Verify the cabling and connections between the external CRT monitor and the Value Line notebook external monitor port.
   
4. Remove any signal cable extensions and switch boxes.
   Note: Signal cable extensions and switch boxes are not supported.
5. Ensure the external display is setup and configured according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
6. Verify the external display passes any applicable self tests according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
7. Verify the display settings are supported by the Value Line notebook video chipset and the external display.
   Note: See the Unsatisfactory video section for more information.
8. Verify the external display works on another system if available.
9. If these steps have not solved your problem refer to "Need more help?"

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Submit a technical question

Contact your local technical Support Center

Check warranty status and upgrade

Return to the main troubleshooting page for Value Line notebooks