Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
try the ESCD reset and driver reinstallation. Then, if that doesn't work, you have to try
disabling the integrated sound and perhaps installing a replacement card or replacement
motherboard.
Ifyourproblem isonlywithplaying audioCDs,check foracable between thesoundcard
andthedrive.Ifthereisnocable,checkthepropertiesforthedriveintheDeviceManager
in Windows to see whether the Digital CD Audio option is checked (enabled). If it's not,
enable it. If your system will not allow digital CD audio to be enabled, it is not supported
and you must install an analog cable connected between the sound card and the drive.
The monitor appears completely garbled or unreadable
A completely garbled screen is most often due to improper, incorrect, or unsupported set-
tings for the refresh rate, resolution, or color depth. Using incorrect drivers can also cause
this. To check the configuration of the card, the first step is to power on the system and
verify whether you can see the POST or the system splash screen and enter the BIOS
Setup. If the screen looks fine during the POST but goes crazy after Windows starts to
load, the problem is almost certainly due to an incorrect setting or configuration of the
card. To resolve this, open the special boot menu and select Windows Safe mode (hold
down the F8 function key as Windows starts to load to display this menu).
This bypasses the current video driver and settings and places the system in the default
VGA mode supported by the BIOS on the video card. When the Windows desktop ap-
pears, you can right-click the desktop, select Properties, and then either reconfigure the
video settings or change drivers as necessary.
Note
Some motherboards (such as some ASUS models) use the F8 key to display a device boot
menu. On these and similar systems, wait until the boot menu option is gone before pressing
F8 to bring up the Windows boot menu.
If the problem occurs from the moment you turn on the system—and even if you boot to
a DOS floppy (such as a Windows 98 startup floppy)—a hardware problem definitely ex-
ists with the video card, cable, or monitor. First, replace the monitor with another one; if
the cable is detachable, replace that too. If replacing the monitor and cable does not solve
the problem, the video card is probably defective. Either replace the card or, if it is a PCI-
based card, move it to a different slot. If the video is integrated into the motherboard, you
must add a separate card instead or replace the motherboard.
Search WWH ::




Custom Search