How To Degauss the Monitor

It may be necessary to degauss a monitor to improve the color around the edges of the screen. This kind of discoloration is caused by magnetic interference around the monitor.

Here’s How:

1. Most monitors will degauss automatically when turned on so as a first option, power off and then on your monitor. If the discoloration does not improve, continue to the next step.

Note: Degaussing makes a twang sound and is often followed by a short click sound. If you don’t hear these sounds, the monitor probably does not automatically degauss when powered on.

2. In the rare case the monitor does not automatically degauss, locate the degauss button on the front of the monitor. The button will most likely be accompanied by a picture similar to a horseshoe.Some monitors do not have a single button but instead require the simultaneous pressing of multiple buttons, such as the brightness and contrast buttons.
3. Often times the degauss option will be buried in the on-screen menu options. Scroll through these options to locate the degauss option or consult the monitor’s manual for more information.

Tips:

1. To prevent the magnetic field disturbances that cause the discoloration on the monitor, check around the monitor for sources of magnetism. This might include unshielded speakers, power sources, and of course magnets.
2. Monitors without a CRT, such as LCD monitors, do not require degaussing.

Know about Video Card

What is a Video Card ?

The video card is an expansion card that allows the computer to send graphical information to a video display device such as a monitor or projector.

The Video Card is Also Known As :

• Graphics card,
• Graphics adapter,
• Video adapter

Important Video Card Facts :

Each motherboard supports only a limited range of video card formats so always check with your motherboard manufacturer before making a purchase.

Many modern computers do not have video expansion cards but instead have GPUs integrated directly onto the motherboard. This allows for a less expensive computer but also for a less powerful graphics system. This option is wise for the average business and home user not interested in advanced graphics capabilities or the latest games.

Popular Video Card Manufacturers :

• NVIDIA Corporation,

• ATI Technologies,
• Matrox

Note: These companies actually manufacture the processors, called graphics processing units (GPUs), that operate the video card. Many other companies utilize these processors in their particular brands of video cards.

Video Card Description :
A video card is rectangular in shape with numerous contacts on the bottom of the card and one or more ports on the side for connection to video displays and other devices.

The video card installs in an expansion slot on the motherboard. While some video cards and most other cards in a computer are of the PCI format, video cards come in other formats as well including AGP and PCIe. These additional formats provide a more efficient way for the video card to communicate with the CPU and other components.

Since the motherboard, case, and expansion cards are designed with compatibility in mind, the side of the video card fits just outside the back of the case when installed, making its ports available for use. Some video cards have only one port for connection to a standard monitor or projector while more advanced cards may have ports for connections to multiple output sources including additional monitors and televisions. Still other cards may have inputs for video editing and other advanced tasks.

How To Troubleshoot Color Issues

Are the colors “off” on the screen? Do you have problems with images being too dark or too bright? There a number of different reasons why your monitor may not be representing color properly.

Here’s How:

1. Check the cable between the monitor and the computer to make sure it is secure. Each end should be tightly fastened.
2. Degauss the monitor. This will often help correct discoloration issues near the edges of the screen.
3. Reference the monitor manufacturer’s instructions to adjust the brightness and contrast settings. If available, you may also need to adjust the color balance and temperature settings.
4. Adjust the color quality setting for the video card. This will often help resolve issues where the colors, especially in photos, appear incorrect.
5. If you have access to another monitor, try it in place of the one with the color issues. If the problem goes away replace the monitor. If the problem duplicates on the new monitor there is most likely an issue with the video card.

Windows XP : How To Change the Refresh Rate Setting

Adjusting the refresh rate setting may be necessary to resolve screen flicker and other unstable display issues on monitors and other output devices like projectors.

Here’s How:

1. Navigate to the Control Panel in Microsoft Windows by left-clicking on Start, followed by Settings and then choosing Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel window, open Display.

   Note: Depending on how your operating system is setup, you may not see the Display icon. To correct this, click on the link on the left-hand side of the Control Panel window that says Switch to Classic View.

3. In the Display Properties window, click on the Settings tab.
4. Toward the bottom of this window, click on the Advanced button.
5. In the resulting window, which may or may not be titled Plug and Play Monitor…, click on the Monitor tab.
6. Locate the Screen refresh rate drop down box in the middle of the window. Under most circumstances, the best choice is the highest rate available. Depending on your issue though, the rate may need to be lowered.

   Note: It is always recommended to keep the Hide modes that this monitor cannot display checkbox checked. Choosing refresh rates outside this range could damage hardware.

7. Click the OK or Apply button to confirm the changes. If prompted, follow any additional on screen directions.

How To Adjust the Colors Display Setting in Windows Vista

Adjusting the colors display setting in Windows Vista may be necessary to resolve color issues on monitors and other output devices like projectors.

Here’s How :

1. Click on Start and then Control Panel.Tip: In a hurry? Type personalization in the search box after clicking Start. Choose Personalization from the list of results and then skip to Step 5.
2. Click on the Appearance and Personalization link.Note: If you’re viewing the Classic View of Control Panel, you won’t see this link. Simply double-click on the Personalization icon and proceed to Step 5.
3. Click on the Personalization link.
4. Click on the Display Settings link.
5. Locate the Colors drop down box on the right-hand side of the window. Under most circumstances, the best choice is the highest “bit” available. Generally, this will be the Highest (32 bit) option.Note: Some types of software require the colors display setting to be set at a lower rate than suggested above. If you receive errors when opening certain software titles be sure to make any changes here as necessary.
6. Click the OK button to confirm the changes. If prompted, follow any additional on screen directions.

How To Adjust the Color Quality Setting in Windows XP

Adjusting the color quality setting in Windows XP may be necessary to resolve issues with the color display on monitors and other output devices like projectors.

Here’s How:

1. Navigate to the Control Panel by left-clicking on Start, followed by Settings and then choosing Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel window, open Display.

   Note: Depending on how Windows XP is setup on your system, you may not see the Display icon. To correct this, click on the link on the left-hand side of the Control Panel window that says Switch to Classic View.

3. In the Display Properties window, click on the Settings tab.
4. Locate the Color quality drop down box on the right-hand side of the window. Under most circumstances, the best choice is the highest “bit” available. Generally, this will be the Highest (32 bit) option.

   Note: Some types of software require the color quality settings to be set at a lower rate than suggested above. If you receive errors when opening certain software titles be sure to make any changes here as necessary.

5. Click the OK or Apply button to confirm the changes. If prompted, follow any additional on screen directions.

BIOS Setup Utility Access Keys for Major BIOS Manufacturers

Every computer’s motherboard has a BIOS manufacturer so if neither of the below BIOS resources help,

BIOS Setup Utility Access Keys for Computer Systems
BIOS Setup Utility Access Keys for Popular Motherboards

then this list of BIOS access keyboard commands based on the original BIOS manufacturer should get you in without a problem.

As your computer boots up, look for one of the following BIOS manufacturer’s names to flash on the screen. The BIOS manufacturer name usually appears as a logo in the top-left corner or as text at the very bottom of the screen.

After verifying the creator of the BIOS on your system, reference the following list and use the appropriate keyboard command to access the BIOS setup utility.

AMI (American Megatrends) - AMIBIOS, AMI BIOS

• Press Del when after powering on the computer.
• Some older motherboards that use AMIBIOS may prompt for the F1 or F2 key instead.

Award Software (now part of Phoenix Technologies) – AwardBIOS, Award BIOS

• Press the Del key to enter the BIOS Setup Utility on nearly all AwardBIOS powered motherboards.
• Some older systems using Award’s BIOS software asked for Ctrl+Alt+Esc to enter BIOS.

DTK (Datatech Enterprises) – DTK BIOS

• Press the Esc key to enter BIOS, right after powering on the PC.

Microid Research – MR BIOS

• Press F1 to access the BIOS setup utility.

Phoenix Technologies – Phoenix BIOS, Phoenix-Award BIOS

• Press Del during the Power On Self Test, immediately after the computer starts.
• Many older Phoenix BIOS systems required Ctrl+Alt+Esc, Ctrl+Alt+Ins, or Ctrl+Alt+S to access BIOS.

If you’re still having troubles entering BIOS or can’t figure out what company supplied the BIOS on your motherboard, here are some keyboard commands you might want to randomly try in addition to the any of the ones listed above:

• F3
• F4
• F10
• F12
• Tab
• Ctrl+Alt+F3
• Ctrl+Alt+Del
• Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Del (using Del from the keypad)
• Ctrl+Insert
• Ctrl+Shift+Esc
• Fn+[any "F" function key] (on some laptops)

The list of BIOS access keyboard commands on this page is a work in progress so any input from you would be very helpful. If you have any BIOS access information for any other BIOS manufacturer or if you find a mistake, please let me know so I can keep this popular listing up to date!

BIOS Setup Utility Access Keys for Various Motherboards

Getting in to the BIOS setup utility on your motherboard should be easy, right? If you’ve tried the basic steps for accessing your motherboard’s BIOS and haven’t been successful – don’t worry. This list of keyboard commands to enter BIOS should be of some help.

If you have a computer system from a major manufacturer like Dell, Gateway, etc. then my BIOS Setup Utility Access Keys for Computer Systems list will probably be of more help.

This list of BIOS access keyboard commands is a work in progress so any input from you would be greatly appreciated! If you have any additional information on BIOS access for a motherboard (listed here or not) or if you find a mistake in this list, please let me know.

abit – ab9, an7, an8, av8, aw9d, be6, bh6, ic7, in9, ip35, kn8, kn9, etc.

• Press Del while the PRESS DEL TO ENTER SETUP message is displayed to access the BIOS setup utility.

ASRock – 4coredual, 775dual, 939dual, k7s41gx, p4v88, k7vm3, etc.

• Press F2 right after the computer starts up.

ASUS – p5b, a7v600, a7v8x, a8n, a8v, k8v, m2n, p5k, p5n, etc.

• Press Del right after starting the computer to enter BIOS.

BFG - 680i, 8800gtx, 6800gt, 7600gt, 7800gs, 7950gt, etc.

• Press Del when the …enter setup message briefly displays at the bottom of the screen after powering on the computer.

BIOSTAR – 6100, 550, 7050, 965pt, k8m800, p4m80, ta690g, tf7050, etc.

• Press the Del key while the full screen logo is showing on screen, immediately after starting the computer.

DFI – LANParty Ultra, Expert, Infinity 975x, NF3, NF4, cfx3200, p965, rs482, etc.

• Press the Del key when the Press DEL to enter setup message appears, immediately after the memory test.

ECS Elitegroup – k7s5a, k7vta3, 741gx, 755-a2, 945p, c51gm, gf7100pvt, p4m800, etc.

• Press either the Del or F1 key to enter the BIOS Setup Utility.

EVGA – 790i, 780i, 750i, 680i, 650i, e-7150/630i, e-7100/630i, 590, etc.

• Enter BIOS by pressing Del immediately after powering on the computer.

Foxconn - c51xem2aa, 6150bk8mc, 6150bk8ma, c51gu01, etc.

• Press Del to enter the BIOS Setup Utility.

GIGABYTE – ds3, p35, 965p, dq6, ds3r, k8ns, etc.

• Press Del during POST, right after the computer is turned on.

Intel – d101ggc, d815eea, d845, d850gb, d865glc, d875pbz, d945gccr, d946gtp, d975xbx, etc.

• Press F2 during the initial boot process to enter the BIOS setup utility.

JetWay – jm26gt3, ha04, j7f3e, hi03, ji31gm3, jp901dmp, 775gt1-loge, etc.

• Enter BIOS setup by powering on the computer and pressing Del immediately.

Mach Speed – Viper, Matrix, pm800, 917gbag, v6dp, s755max, etc.

• Press Del after the boot process begins to enter the BIOS configuration utility.

MSI (Micro-Star) - k8n, k9n, p965, 865pe, 975x, k7n2, k9a2, k8t neo, p7n, p35, x48, x38, etc.

• Press Del while the Press DEL to enter SETUP message displays on screen after powering on the computer.

PCChips – m810lr, m811, m848a, p23g, p29g, p33g, etc.

• Press Del or F1 to enter the BIOS utility.

SAPPHIRE – PURE CrossFire 3200, a9rd580Adv, a9rs480, CrossFireX 770 & 790FX, PURE Element 690V, etc.

• Press Del after powering on to get into BIOS.

Shuttle – “bare bones” and motherboards including ak31, ak32, an35n, sn25p, ai61, sd37p2, sd39p2, etc.

• Press Del or Ctrl+Alt+Esc at the Press DEL to enter SETUP message that appears right after turning on the computer.

Super Micro – c2sbx, c2sbm, pdsba, pdsm4, pdsmi, p8sc8, p4sbe, etc.

• Press the Del key at any time during the boot process.

TYAN – Tomcat, Trinity, Thunder, Tiger, Tempest, Tahoe, Tachyon, Transport and Bigby motherboards including K8WE, S1854, S2895, MP S2460, MPX S2466, K8W S2885, S2895, S2507, etc.

• After starting the system, press the Del or F4 key to start the BIOS setup utility.

XFX – nForce 500 Series, 600 Series, 700 Series, etc.

• Press Del during the boot process, immediately after the computer is turned on.

If you still can’t determine what the keyboard commands are to access BIOS for your motherboard, my BIOS Setup Utility Access Keys for Major BIOS Manufacturers list should come in handy.

BIOS Setup Utility Access Keys for Computer Systems

Having trouble getting in to your computer’s bios setup utility? If you’ve tried the basic steps for accessing your computer’s BIOS and haven’t had much luck, trust me when I say you’re not alone.

There are hundreds of computer manufacturers out there and each seem to have their own idea when it comes to designating a keyboard command to enter BIOS. There are often even huge differences in BIOS access methods between different models made by the same company!

This list of BIOS access keyboard commands is a work in progress – meaning I need your help! If you have any additional BIOS access information to pass on or if you find a mistake, please let me know.

Acer – Aspire, Power, Veriton, Extensa, Ferrari, TravelMate, Altos

• Press Del or F2 immediately after powering on.
• The BIOS on the Acer Altos 600 server uses the Ctrl+Alt+Esc key and the F1 key for advanced options.
• Older Acer computers may use also use the F1 or Ctrl+Alt+Esc keys to access BIOS.

Compaq – Presario, Prolinea, Deskpro, Systempro, Portable

• Press F10 while the cursor in the top right corner of the screen is blinking.
• Older Compaq computers may use the F1, F2, F10, or Del key to give access to BIOS.

Dell – XPS, Dimension, Inspiron, Latitude. OptiPlex, Precision, Vostro

• Press F2 when the Dell logo appears. Press every few seconds until the message Entering Setup appears.
• Older Dell desktops and laptops may instead use Ctrl+Alt+Enter or Del to enter BIOS.
• Older Dell laptops may use Fn+Esc or Fn+F1.

eMachines – eMonster, eTower, eOne, S-Series, T-Series

• Press Tab or Del while the eMachine logo displays on screen.
• Other eMachine computers may use F2 to enter BIOS.

Fujitsu – LifeBook, Esprimo, Amilo, Tablet, DeskPower

• Press F2 once the Fujitsu logo appears.

Gateway – DX, FX, One, GM, GT, GX, Profile, Astro

• Press the F1 key repeatedly after restarting the computer.
• Some older Gateway computers use F2 to access the BIOS Setup utility.

Hewlett-Packard (HP) – Pavilion, TouchSmart, Vectra, OmniBook, Tablet

• Press the F1 key after restarting the computer.
• HP Tablet PCs may use F10 or F12.
• Other HP computers may allow access to BIOS using the F2 or Esc keys.

IBM – PC, XT, AT

• Press F1 immediately after powering on the computer.
• Older IBM computers (including some laptops) may utilize the F2 key for BIOS entry.

Lenovo (formerly IBM) – ThinkPad, IdeaPad, 3000 Series, ThinkCentre, ThinkStation

• Press F1 or F2 after powering on the computer.
• Older Lenovo products allow access to BIOS using Ctrl+Alt+F3, Ctrl+Alt+Ins, or Fn+F1.

Micron (MPC Computers) – ClientPro, TransPort

• Press F1, F2 or Del immediately after powering on the PC.

NEC – PowerMate, Versa, W-Series

• Press F2 to enter the BIOS Setup.

Packard Bell – 8900 Series, 9000 Series, Pulsar, Platinum, EasyNote, imedia, iextreme

• Press F1, F2, or Del to enter BIOS.

Sharp – Notebook Laptops, Actius UltraLite

• Press F2 after the computer starts.
• Some very old Sharp PCs require a Setup Diagnostics Disk to access BIOS.

Shuttle – Glamor G-Series, D’vo, Prima P2-Series, Workstation, X Mini XPC, Surveillance

• Press F2 or Del on startup.

Sony – VAIO, PCG-Series, VGN-Series

• Press F1, F2 or F3 after turning on the computer.

Toshiba – Portégé, Satellite, Tecra

• Press F1 or Esc after powering on to access BIOS.

The following companies are either closed for business or no longer manufacture or support mainstream computers systems so verifying the following BIOS access information is nearly impossible. I have included what I could dig up for anyone who might be interested:

ARI / ALR / AST (Advantage) – Press the Ctrl+Alt+Esc or Ctrl+Alt+Del keys.

Cybermax – Press the Esc key.

Tandon – Press the Ctrl+Shift+Esc keys.