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.

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.

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!