Recipe 3.22. Troubleshooting Video Monitor Problems

Problem

Your display flickers or is garbled and you want to fix it.

Solution

Using a graphical user interface

1. If your video display is illegible when you start Windows normally, start your PC in Safe mode.

2. Click Start, right-click My Computer, then select Properties.

3. Select the Hardware tab, then click Device Manager.

4. Click the plus sign (+) to expand Monitors.

5. Double-click the listing for your video monitor.

6. Select the Driver tab, then click the appropriate button based on the action that you want to perform: (view) Driver Details, Update Driver, Roll Back Driver, Uninstall.

7. Typically you will need to select Update Driver and apply the correct driver for your specific video monitor by make and model number. Check the manufacturer's web site for current drivers to be installed.

Discussion

If Windows cannot determine the specific make and model of your monitor it will assume a Plug and Play monitor (which, if it was truly Plug and Play would have provided specific make/model information to Windows) or one of many standard monitor types. Either of these may be inappropriate for your monitor and incapable of using all of its features. Monitors do not use drivers per se but display definition files that tell Windows which resolutions and video sync rates the monitor is capable of displaying. Video monitor files can usually be found on the manufacturer's web site. If your monitor is relabeled by your PC's manufacturer (like Dell, HP, Sony, etc.), you may be able to determine an exact manufacturer from a sticker on the back of the monitor, or you will need to visit the PC maker's web site to obtain the correct files for your monitor.

See Also

More information is available in MS KB 219404, "Monitor Detected as Generic Plug and Play," MS KB 162737, "No Plug and Play Detection for Non-DDC Monitors," and MS KB 309569, "You Cannot Select the Highest Monitor Graphics Modes."