- Expand the + mark to the left of Display Adapters and read the report
under Device Status.
If the report reads “The device is working properly,” the circuitry is
responding to queries from Windows, and the operating system has
found a working device driver. You can click the Driver tab to get more
details about the software associated with the video adapter.
If the report tells you there is a problem with the adapter or the driver,
follow the troubleshooting steps displayed on the General tab. You may
be asked to reinstall a driver from the laptop manufacturer’s recovery
disc or by downloading it from the Internet.- Go back to the Control Panel and double-click the Display icon.
- Choose the Settings tab and check the settings.
Here is where you can choose the screen resolution and color quality.
If the proper driver is being used, you should not be able to select a
screen resolution or a color quality that is beyond the capabilities of the
laptop’s display adapter or the circuitry on its motherboard. However,
you can experiment with a lower screen resolution and a lower color
quality to see if this repairs your problem. - Click the Advanced button.
This button allows monitor adjustments (in this case your internal LCD). - Select Hide Modes That This Monitor Cannot Display if that is not
already checked. - Choose the Troubleshoot tab, which is customized to your system.
Try various settings to see if you can fix the problem.If none of these adjustments bring your LCD back to life, it would appear that
the problem is with the LCD. In Chapter 3 I discuss options for repair or
replacement of an LCD screen. It comes down to a financial and not a techni-
cal decision.
Chapter 12: Seeing the Light: LCDs and Video 193