Toll Free: 1-800-355-1197

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	FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS :::
	Why doesn’t my monitor turn on? I have a Scientific Atlanta 4200HD cable box and I cannot get a display on the screen. Some of my programs are not running properly because my system can only display 16 colors and they require at least 256 colors. How can I solve this problem? Why is my computer showing “Adapter default” and “Optimal” as the only options on my refresh rate list? How can I tell what type of video card I have? How can I obtain parts for my out of warranty monitor? What are dead pixels in LCD displays? What does “Dot Pitch” refer to? What is “Resolution”? How do you change the resolution on my computer? What do I do if the menu options on the monitor are not functional? I am not able to change the resolution to a higher setting. Why is the Plug & Play function on my monitor not working? Is my monitor MAC compatible? How should I clean my monitor? Where can I get the latest drivers for my graphics card? Where can I download a driver for my monitor? What is the maximum resolution my monitor can support? I only have 640x480 resolution with 16 colors, is there a way to fix this? There is a slight shadow to the right and a wavy vertical line down the center of the screen. How do I resolve this problem? Why is my display making a “buzzing” or “humming” sound? The power light of my monitor is on and the color is amber, but there is no video or display. Why is this? My monitor goes into sleep mode while I’m using it. My monitor goes into sleep mode (On-Screen Display reads UNKNOWN MODE), or my monitor will not display an image. Why does the display on my monitor appear to be missing some colors? I don’t see a refresh rate box when I’m in the Display Properties. How do I change my monitor's refresh rate? How would I know what refresh rate my computer is set to? Why doesn’t my monitor turn on? Make sure the power button is ON and the power cord is properly connected to a grounded power outlet and to the monitor. back to top I have a Scientific Atlanta 4200HD cable box and I cannot get a display on the screen. Before connecting the cable box to the monitor, set the resolution on the cable box to 720p. Once the cable box is set to 720p, connect the cable box to the plasma using the provided cable that features a 15 pin connector on one end and RGB on the other. Connect the 15 pin connector into the plasma input labeled PC/DTV RGB, and the other end into the component input on the back of the cable box. back to top Some of my programs are not running properly because my system can only display 16 colors and they require at least 256 colors. How can I solve this problem? The number of colors you can display is controlled by the video card installed in your computer. In order to display more than 16 colors, the proper video card driver must be installed. Contact your computer or video card manufacturer to obtain the latest driver from them. back to top Why is my computer showing “Adapter default” and “Optimal” as the only options on my refresh rate list? Verify that the video card and monitor driver are properly installed. Please reference downloading driver information. Please contact the video card vendor for further help on configuring the video card. back to top How can I tell what type of video card I have? Since your video card is located inside your computer, you will have to contact your computer manufacturer for assistance. back to top How can I obtain parts for my out of warranty monitor? We do not sell parts for monitors directly to our clients. However you can contact manufacturer directly. back to top What are dead pixels in LCD displays? The manufacturing process for LCD displays requires millions of transistors in each panel. Limitations of the manufacturing process sometimes result in dead pixels. A "dead pixel" can take the form of either a contrast spot or a black spot. A contrast spot appears when a completely gray screen is displayed. A black spot appears when a completely red, green or blue screen is displayed. Our specifications allow for 5 dead pixels per quadrant or a cluster of dead pixels in a close proximity, we will consider that depending on colors that are missing and distance between the quantity of missing dots. back to top What does “Dot Pitch” refer to? The image that we see on the monitor is made up of dots or pixels. These are arranged in triads of Red, Green and Blue dots. Dot pitch is the distance between dots of the same color and it is measured in millimeters. The lower the Dot Pitch the sharper the image. back to top What is “Resolution”? Under monitor and video card, this term commonly refers to a display format such as 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768 etc….Resolution of 800 by 600 means 800 pixels on 600 lines. back to top How do you change the resolution on my computer? In Windows, press the START button and highlight the SETTINGS option. Select the CONTROL PANEL folder. Double click on the DISPLAY icon. Click on the SETTINGS tab.  At the bottom you will see either “Screen Area,” “Desktop Area,” or “Screen Resolution.” You can make the adjustments there. back to top What do I do if the menu options on the monitor are not functional? Please contact Customer Service for further assistance. back to top I am not able to change the resolution to a higher setting. First adjust the refresh rate to a specific hertz (ie.. 60hz, 70hz). If you are able to do this, then re-install or upgrade the video card driver. back to top Why is the Plug & Play function on my monitor not working? In order for the Plug & Play feature of the monitor to work, you need a Plug & Play compatible computer and video card. Check with your computer manufacturer to guarantee your computer is properly equipped. Also check the monitor's video cable and make sure none of the pins are bent. back to top Is my monitor MAC compatible? Yes, most monitors are MAC compatible. If you have an older MAC, you may require an adapter to match the video cable connections. back to top How should I clean my monitor? Clean the LCD monitor surface with a lint-free, non-abrasive cloth. Avoid using any cleaning solution or glass cleaner. back to top Where can I get the latest drivers for my graphics card? ATI  Diamond Multimedia Intel Matrox Pinnacle S3 3DFX Trident SIS back to top Where can I download a driver for my monitor? At this time, the monitor uses a Windows pre-installed driver called LCD_15 or LCD_17, (Windows 95/98/ME) and Plug and Play driver (Win 2K and XP) back to top What is the maximum resolution my monitor can support? LCD flat panel monitors are optimized for a particular resolution (screen area) and refresh rate. For 15” LCD monitors, the optimal resolution would be 1024x768 with 75Hz refresh rate. 17” LCD monitors have an optimal resolution of 1280x1024 with 85Hz refresh rate. When the optimal settings are used in conjunction with the monitor, the image is visually appealing. back to top I only have 640x480 resolution with 16 colors, is there a way to fix this? The number of colors and level of resolution are controlled by the video card driver. The monitor drivers simply tell the Operating System (win, mac, linux, etc…) what kind of monitor it is and its safe operating range. You would need to check and perhaps install or reinstall your video card drivers. back to top There is a slight shadow to the right and a wavy vertical line down the center of the screen. How do I resolve this problem? You probably have an extension cable (NOT THE POWER PLUG) or switch box (KVM) connected between the monitor and the computer. If so, you would need to disconnect the extension cable or switch box and connect the monitor directly to the computer. back to top Why is my display making a “buzzing” or “humming” sound? You should have an experienced technician diagnose the problem for you. or call us at 1-800-355-1197 back to top The power light of my monitor is on and the color is amber, but there is no video or display. Why is this? Your computer may be in screen saver mode, it has instructed the monitor to go to power saving mode, or the the monitor's video cable is not properly connected to the computer. Another possible cause of this is a locked-up or in-operative computer since the computer is what supplies the monitor with all the display data or information. Move the mouse or press a key to de-activate the screen saver or power saving mode. Check the monitor's video cable and make sure it is snugly connected to the computer. To see if the computer is operating properly, press the CAPS LOCK key on the keyboard repeatedly while checking the CAPS LOCK light. If the light is not turning ON & OFF, the computer is non-functional. Contact your computer manufacturer for help. back to top My monitor goes into sleep mode while I’m using it. For all Windows Operating systems: Go to START button, click on SETTINGS, click on CONTROL PANEL. Select POWER MANAGEMENT icon. Under Power Schemes drop-down menu, select - ALWAYS ON. back to top My monitor goes into sleep mode (On-Screen Display reads UNKNOWN MODE), or my monitor will not display an image. This is due to improper driver installation.  When installing your new LCD monitor, please select the Microsoft Generic Driver (Digital Flat Panel Driver) listed in the display properties of your operating system.  1. If you are installing a 15" LCD monitor please select the (Digital Flat Panel LCD) Driver listed at 1024 x 768.  2. If you are installing a 17" LCD monitor please select the (Digital Flat Panel LCD) Driver listed at 1280 x 1024. back to top Why does the display on my monitor appear to be missing some colors? Inspect the monitor's video cable to make sure none of the pins are bent and it is connected snugly to the computer. back to top I don’t see a refresh rate box when I’m in the Display Properties. You must install a driver for the monitor. back to top How do I change my monitor's refresh rate? In Windows, press the Start button and highlight the SETTINGS option. From there, select the CONTROL PANELS folder. Double click on the DISPLAY icon in your Control Panel. Click on the SETTINGS tab. Click on the ADVANCED button. Click on the ADAPTER tab Select the preferred refresh rate in the drop down box. back to top How would I know what refresh rate my computer is set to? Press the Start button and highlight the “Settings” option. Select the “Control Panel” folder. Double Click on the “Display” icon on the Control Panel. Select the “Settings” tab under the “Display Properties” window. Click on the “Advanced” button. Click on the “Adapter” tab and you can check, or set the refresh rate from there. back to top