Lenovo ThinkPad A285, User Manual, Page: 101 / 152

External monitor problems
• Problem : The external monitor is blank.
Solution : To bring up the image, press the display-mode switching key and select the monitor you
want. If the problem persists, do the following:
1. Connect the external monitor to another computer to ensure that it works.
2. Reconnect the external monitor to your computer.
3. See the manual shipped with the external monitor to check the resolutions and refresh rates that are
supported.
– If the external monitor supports the same resolution as the computer display or a higher resolution,
view output on the external monitor or on both the external monitor and the computer display.
– If the external monitor supports a lower resolution than the computer display, view output on the
external monitor only. (If you view output on both the computer display and the external monitor,
the external monitor screen will be blank or distorted.)
• Problem : I cannot set a higher resolution than the present one on my external monitor.
Solution : Ensure that the monitor information is correct. If necessary, update the monitor driver.
• Problem : The screen is unreadable or distorted.
Solution : Ensure that:
– The monitor information is correct and the appropriate monitor type is selected. If necessary, update
the monitor driver.
– Ensure that an appropriate refresh rate is selected by doing the following:
1. Connect the external monitor to the monitor connector, and then connect the monitor to an
electrical outlet.
2. Turn on the external monitor and the computer.
3. Right-click on the desktop, and then click Display settings ➙ Display .
Note: If your computer cannot detect the external monitor, click Detect in the Display window.
4. Click the icon for the appropriate monitor ( Monitor-2 icon is for the external monitor).
5. Click Display adapter properties .
6. Click the Monitor tab.
7. Select the correct screen refresh rate.
• Problem : Wrong characters are displayed on the screen.
Solution : Ensure that you follow the correct procedure when installing the operating system and program.
If they are installed and configured correctly, but the problem still persists, have the external monitor
serviced.
• Problem : The Extend desktop function does not work.
Solution : Enable the Extend desktop function. See “Using an external display” on page 32.
• Problem : I am using the Extend desktop function, but I cannot set a higher resolution or higher refresh
rate on the secondary display.
Solution : Change the resolution and the color depth to lower settings for the primary display. See “Using
an external display” on page 32.
• Problem : Display switching does not work.
Solution : If you use the Extend desktop function, disable it, and change the display output location. If a
DVD movie or a video clip is playing, stop the playback, close the program, and then change the display
output location.
Chapter 7
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Troubleshooting computer problems
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