How to Troubleshoot the 15 inch Studio Display DVI

General
The Symptom Chart will help you diagnose specific symptoms related to your product. Because cures are listed on the charts in the order of most likely solution, try the first cure first. Verify whether or not the product continues to exhibit the symptom. If the symptom persists, try the next cure. For additional assistance, contact Apple Technical Support. For general troubleshooting tips, go to the Adjustments chapter and open the linked user's manual.

First Checklist

Important: Many displays returned for repair are found to be fully operational. Read this checklist to prevent needless module replacement and unnecessary time delays. The Studio Display DVI is not compatible with all computers. This display works with selected AGP-based Power Mac G4 computers.

Verify connections.

Symptoms that mimic display failures can be caused by loose cable connections or a loose DVI graphics card in the computer. Check cable connections and verify there are no bent pins.

Ensure that the DVI graphics card is securely connected in the computer.

Protect the display from static discharge.

To prevent possible damage to the display from electro-static discharge, always plug in the computer to a grounded power outlet before connecting the Studio Display DVI to the computer.

Shut down the display or put it to sleep when it will not be used for an extended period.

A constant and unchanging image that is left on an LCD screen for an extended period of time (approx. 24 hours) can leave a residual ghost image. To remove the image, either shut down the display or put it into sleep mode using the Energy Saver control panel. The time it takes to recover depends on how long the original image was left on the screen. It generally takes between one and two times as long to remove the ghost image as it took to create it.

With the display in sleep mode using Energy Saver, the power light is amber and the backlights are off. Although a screen saver can be used, some screen savers keep the display backlights in use, thereby decreasing the useful life of the backlights.

Symptom Charts- No image (screen is black)

Adjust front panel brightness (it may be set too low).

Shut down the computer and monitor. Disconnect monitor cables. Check cables for bent pins. Reconnect monitor cables and restart computer and monitor.

If screen brightness has decreased over time, the most likely condition is the backlights failing. If you suspect backlight failure, contact Apple Technical Support.

Replace the DVI graphics card in the computer.

In the US, call Apple Technical Support at 800-919-2775. In Canada, call 800-217-9517.

Screen Resolutions- Blurry or wavy-screen image at different resolutions

Use one of the resolutions that are listed as Recommended in the Monitors control panel. Note: Some resolutions from the Show All list can produce less than optimal results (fuzziness, black bars on sides or top and bottom of display area).

For best results, set screen resolution to 1024 x 768 using the control strip or the Monitors control panel. 1024 x 768 is the native resolution for the Studio Display DVI.

Screen Color- Screen colors are not correct

Allow the display to warm up for 30 minutes.

Check color accuracy by using a familiar desktop pattern or a solid color test pattern. Open the Monitors control panel, click Color, and verify that a suitable ColorSync Profile is selected. Click Calibrate in the Color menu to change the color calibration.

Open the Monitors control panel and check that Color Depth is not set to Grays.

Color intensity varies ; large patch of color not uniform

For best results, allow the display to warm up for 30 minutes to reach peak color quality. When displaying a large area of a single color, the color might not appear uniform throughout the area. This symptom can occur if the display has not warmed up.

Screen Brightness -Screen image dim

Adjust front panel brightness (it may be set too low).

Open the Monitors control panel and click Calibrate in the Color menu to change the color calibration.

From the Monitors control panel, click Calibrate in the Color menu and try changing the color calibration settings.

If screen brightness has decreased over time, the most likely condition is the backlights failing. If you suspect backlight failure, contact Apple Technical Support.

Focus- Screen image blurry

Using the Monitors control panel or the control strip, set screen resolution to 1024 x 768.

Note: 1024 x 768 is the native resolution for the Studio Display DVI. Although you can "magnify" the screen image to enlarge fonts and graphics by selecting other screen resolutions, LCD flat-panel displays cannot change their scan rates like a CRT can, so some blurriness is expected when using non-native resolutions.

Open the Appearance control panel and select Fonts. Deselect the checkbox for "Smooth all fonts on screen."

Error Messages- Error message reads "This monitor is not supported by this version of the Apple Displays Software"

Ensure that computer is compatible. Verify that DVI graphics card is secured correctly. (Refer to "First Checklist" at the beginning of this chapter.)

Install Apple Displays Software that came with the Studio Display DVI. For installation instructions, refer to the linked user's manual in the Adjustments chapter.

Error message reads "This version of the system software is not supported by the Apple Displays Software"

If this message occurs in the Apple Displays Software installer, check that you selected the startup hard disk in the Installation dialog box.

Error Lights- Power light flashes amber in repeating sequence of three short flashes

Ensure correct graphics card installed.

Install Apple Displays Software that came with the Studio Display DVI. For installation instructions, refer to the linked user's manual in the Adjustments chapter.

Power light flashes amber in repeating sequence of two short flashes and one long flash

This symptom indicates a problem with the backlights. In the US, call Apple Technical Support at 800-919-2775. In Canada, call 800-217-9517.

Miscellaneous

Screen freezes

This symptom occurs when Energy Saver conflicts with a screen saver program. Turn off either the screen saver program or Energy Saver, and restart the computer.

Computer shuts down or sleeps when monitor power button is pressed

The display's power button is preset to shut down or put to sleep both the display and the computer. To change the power button setting so it affects the display only, open the Monitors control panel and go to the power button setting in Preferences. Click the Monitor Power button.

Change made in Monitors control panel does not affect screen image

If you have more than one display connected to the computer, ensure that the control panel shows the correct display name in the title bar.

Disconnect all peripheral USB devices except the display, the Apple keyboard, and the mouse.

Install Apple Displays Software that came with the Studio Display DVI. For installation instructions, refer to the linked user's manual in the Adjustments chapter.

No on-screen display when brightness button pressed; or no power mode options in Monitors control panel

Ensure display's USB cable connector is plugged into computer's USB port.

Install Apple Displays Software that came with the Studio Display DVI. For installation instructions, refer to the linked user's manual in the Adjustments chapter.

Restart computer.

Preferences button missing from Monitors control panel

Ensure display's USB cable connector is plugged into computer's USB port.

Reinstall system software.

Residual image still visible after the screen image changes

Allowing a constant and unchanging image to remain on the display screen for a long period of time can leave a faintly visible residual image when the screen finally changes.

This is a temporary symptom that does not affect the functionality of the display. To remove the image, either shut down the display or put it to sleep using the Energy Saver control panel. The time it takes to recover depends on how long the original image was left on the screen. It generally takes between one and two times as long to remove the ghost image as it took to create it.

To prevent the symptom, recommend that the customer use the Energy Saver control panel to put the screen to sleep (darkening the display face) when it is not in use. With the display in sleep mode using Energy Saver, the power light is amber and the backlights are off. Although a screen saver can be used, some screen savers keep the display backlights in use, thereby decreasing the useful life of the backlights.