Below are answers to several common monitor complaints. After troubleshooting by answering the following questions, should your monitor continue to experience a problem, please consult either our Interactive Technical Support found on this site Tech Support or call our Expert System at (800) 827-3998.

I have faint ghosts to the right of my icons. Is my monitor bad?
No. The likely cause is that you are using an extension cable added to the video cable that came attached to the monitor. This happens because the video card cannot drive the monitor properly with through the extension. This is called impedance mismatch. If extending the cable is necessary, you need to purchase a video distribution amplifier, available from video equipment suppliers. If you are not using an extension, test the monitor on another computer.

My program manager is off the screen, and I can’t get it back even when I reduce the size with the monitor controls. What’s wrong?
It is possible to drag a window so that it is off the screen. Use the mouse to bring it back into position, or highlight the title bar, and select tile from the window menu or start bar.

I hear a low buzz coming from my monitor. Is something wrong?
No. What you hear is the vibration of the vertical deflection coils sweeping the beam during the vertical refresh of the display. Since it operates from 60 to 76 Hertz (cycles per second), depending on the refresh rate your controller is programmed for, it is within the range of human hearing. You cannot detect the resonation of the horizontal coils because the frequency is from 30,000 to 64,000 Hertz which is so high it is inaudible.

Sometimes my monitor makes a high pitched noise. Is this a sign of trouble?
Usually the sound is from one of the transformers in the monitor which resonate due to the gap in their core upon which the coils are wound. Minute physical changes occurring due to normal warming may cause the gap to assume a spacing just right so the magnetic field sets it vibrating like a speaker, and the gap is of a wavelength that reproduces a high pitched tone. It is in not harmful to the monitor.

Why do I hear a "purging" or "humming" sound when I first turn on the monitor?
The sound you hear indicated that the automatic degaussing process. Every time the monitor is turned on, it will go into this degaussing cycle which helps to eliminate purity problems.

The power light on the monitor is working but there is no picture on the screen.
Turn contrast and brightness to full. If you see a faint gray color appearing on the screen, the monitor is functioning properly but not receiving any signal from the video card. If you do not see a faint gray color contact Technical Support for assistance.

The edges of my display seem to vibrate or quiver rapidly. What causes this and what can I do about it?
You may be experiencing what is called non-synchronous jitter. Non-synchronous jitter is normally caused by interference to the monitor from another electrical source near the monitor. The effect may be constant or intermittent, depending upon the characteristics of the source. Constant jitter is usually caused by a large power source near the monitor. Intermittent effects are caused when other devices are turned on or off. Possible sources of interference are:

• Power base with plugs and switches.
• Printer or other peripheral containing a power transformer.
• Power strips
• Fluorescent lights.
• Appliances containing motors.
• Wiring inside walls, floors or ceilings

• Electric meter or power panel.

The user can verify that the effect is due to external influence by doing the following:

1. Change the refresh rate of the resolution exhibiting the effect to that of the line frequency (60Hz). This is done by running the Video Adapter utility software and using a custom monitor setup. If this proves to greatly reduce or eliminate the effect, then they are on the right track. They may then revert back to the previous refresh rate and move to the next step.

2. Turn off all possible sources of magnetic influence. If the effect is reduced or eliminated, they can begin restoring power, one device at a time to identify the influencing apparatus.

3. Relocate equipment as required, to result in the best reduction or elimination of the effect.

I have a splotch of color in a corner of the display. What can I do?
The CRT has picked up a bit of magnetism which is causing a purity problem. Normally, the internal automatic degaussing circuit, which operates each time the monitor is powered on, will clear this up.

If this does not clear up the purity problem look for source of interference such as speakers or anything with a magnet, transformer or motor in it (Electric clock, cordless phone charging base, etc.) and move it away from the monitor. If you see a reduction in the effect at that time, you have located the source of the problem.

Once you have removed the source of the interference press the manual degauss button on the front of the monitor. Repeat the application, if needed, about once every ten minutes (the degauss circuitry needs time to recharge) until the discoloration has cleared up. When you press the manual degauss button, you will observe a wobble of the picture for about one second, letting you know the degaussing circuit is working. If repeated attempts do not clear up the discoloration, a Service Technician can manually degauss the CRT with a special device just for this purpose.

My monitor changes colors once in a while. What can I do?
The problem may be due to any component in the video chain. Please do the following:

• Reseat the video card.
• Make sure the video card contacts are not oxidized.
• Make sure the signal cable pins are not damaged.

• Make sure the signal cable is securely grounded to the video card and monitor.

If this does not clear up the problem try another video cable if your monitor has a removable cable. If your monitor has a captive video cable contact Technical Support for further assistance.