Lab 7-2 Monitor and Video Issues

 

Changing Monitor Resolution in Windows 9x

Ø   Using Windows 9x, list the steps to change the monitor resolution.

1.      ________________________________________________________________

2.      ________________________________________________________________

3.      ________________________________________________________________

4.      ________________________________________________________________

5.      ________________________________________________________________

o        If you make a mistake when changing the monitor resolution, Windows 9x is much better about not allowing you to lock up your video than is Windows 3.x or Windows NT.

 

Fixing Resolution problems in Windows NT

Ø   Log into Windows NT and change the monitor resolution to 1024 x 768. What happens?

 

 

 

Ø   Describe how to fix it if a user changes the resolution in Windows NT to a level that is not supported by the monitor/video card.

 

 

 

 

Windows 98 32-bit video drivers.

Ø   Windows 9x offers many new 32-bit video drivers for most video cards. When Windows 9x is first installed, it selects the driver for you based on the video card it detects. To see a list of available video drivers, follow these procedures:

1.      Right-click the desktop, and click Properties on the shortcut menu to open the Display Properties dialog box.

2.      Click the Settings tab. The choices available depend on the resources you have on your computer.

3.      Change the resolution by using the sliding bar under Display area. The changes are immediate; you don’t have to exit and reenter Windows, as you did in Windows 3.x.

4.      Make a change and then make the change permanent. You can go back and adjust it later if you like.

 

Troubleshooting Monitor Issues Caused by Immature Yahoos

Ø   Work with a partner who is using a different computer. Unplug the monitor in the computer lab or classroom, loosen or disconnect the computer monitor cable, and/or turn the contrast and brightness all the way down, while your partner does something similar to his/her PC. Trade PCs and troubleshoot the problems.

Ø   What did you do to your partner’s computer?

 

 

Ø   What did he/she do to yours?

 

 

Ø   How did you troubleshoot it?

 

 

Ø   Describe a situation in which you might have to troubleshoot this kind of problem.

 

 

 

Video Card Issues

Ø   Turn the PC off, remove the case, and loosen the video card. Turn the PC back on and write down the problem as a user would describe it. (Think about what someone would say if they had this problem and called you in a panic.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ø   Turn off the PC, reseat the card, and verify that all is working.

 

 

More Video Card Issues

Ø   Insert a defective monitor adapter card provided by your instructor into a system. Describe the problem in writing, as a user would describe it. (Again, think about what someone would say if they had this problem and called you in a panic.)

 

 

 

 

Review Questions

1.      Describe the steps for booting into safe mode:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.      What are some other reasons you might have to boot into safe mode? List at least three.

 

 

 

 

3.      You set up a new machine and when you restart it, you can’t change the video mode to a higher resolution. What might be the problem?

 

 

 

4.      Describe the steps to fix this problem?

 

 

 

5.      What if you don’t have the drivers?

 

 

 

6.      A high end video card will work with any monitor. True or False

 

7.      All monitors require drivers. True or False

 

8.      All video cards require drivers. True or False

 

9.      If you do not have a driver for your video card, what will happen?