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CJ78

4 Posts

23338

April 17th, 2006 04:00

Dell 1704FPT backlight problems

Hey fellas, I've searched for weeks about a solution to my problem. I have owned 3 seperate 1704FPT's. My first worked fine for over 6 months but then it would randomly shut down into powersave mode and no mouse or keyboard activity would wake it up. My 2 replacements since then have shown the same behavior. I have 2 laptops and 2 PC's with XP and 2000. These monitors have basically acted the same way on all of them. I don't know if it's some kind of compatibility with windows or if they are recieving proper wakeup signals. My last resort is to crack it open and fool with the circuitry to prevent the backlight from shutting off at all(which could very well send it to the scrap heap). Anyone experience these problems with dell brand monitors?

CJ78

4 Posts

April 17th, 2006 05:00

I'll try the keyboard and mouse. hope it works.

Message Edited by CJ78 on 04-17-200601:25 AM

arlawson1

61 Posts

April 17th, 2006 05:00

Okay, try going to Control Panel > Display > Screen Saver tab > Power... > Check settings to see if that solves the problem.
 
As far as the mouse and keyboard not bringing the computer out of standby, sleep mode, etc., try this:
— KEYBOARD: Control Panel > Keyboard > Hardware tab > Properties > Power Management > Make sure that the "Allow this device to bring the computer out of Sleep Mode" (or similar).
— MOUSE: Control Panel > Mouse > Hardware tab > Properties > Power Management > Make sure that the "Allow this device to bring the computer out of Sleep Mode" (or similar).
 
If the problem is happening on three different monitors, it is more likely to be a problem w/ the computer. You may also want to try disconnecting and reconnecting the monitor (do this w/ the computer turned off).

Message Edited by arlawson1 on 04-17-200601:17 AM

CJ78

4 Posts

April 17th, 2006 05:00

I tried those control panel settings, but it didn't work. I should've been more specific...it's not the computer "sleeping" it's the monitor. It's backlight shuts off and stays off. If I hit the power button on the monitor..the picure will redisplay for a few seconds and then the backlight shuts off immediately. The monitor doesn't respond to mouse activity at all. All of the LCD's Dell has sent me has had this problem on all of my systems. I have no idea what is going on...this doesn't seem like "normal" LCD operation, I wish I could stop it from shutting it's backlight off. I don't believe a 4th replacement from Dell would be any different.

Message Edited by CJ78 on 04-17-200601:23 AM

arlawson1

61 Posts

April 17th, 2006 10:00

Is there any way that you could set the monitor?

Try this: Access the MONITOR menu (usually there is a button on the monitor) and select FACTORY RESET and then ALL SETTINGS.

You may also want to make sure that you have the monitor properly connected to the CPU.

Message Edited by arlawson1 on 04-17-200606:02 AM

CJ78

4 Posts

April 17th, 2006 21:00

Thanks for the suggestion, yea..I tried that too. The menu option dissapears with the rest of the picture. This monitor/monitors are a lost cause...they just don't work, why not for me..don't know.

arlawson1

61 Posts

April 17th, 2006 22:00

Okay, the last thing I can think of is to go to System Setup and see if you can find something that can help. I would not recommend that you go in and try to disable the backlight from turning off, but do what you have to do. If the problem is recurring w/ new monitors, it is most likely a system/software problem.
 
Although you could be right. Maybe the monitors for your computer are possessed or something. I hope the situation improves. I apologize if it doesn't.

jgreat

1 Message

July 10th, 2006 14:00

I have this exact same problem. I have gone through and checked all my power management settings (even BIOS settings). Even with everything turned to "always on", my 1704FPT will go to "sleep".   
 
The only thing that seems to bring it back is unplugging the monitor for about 5 min. 
 
For me this is a relatively new problem. I had been running fine in this configuration for about 4 months before this started happening.  
 
I'm currently running it at 1280 x 1024, 60Hz with the DVI cable.
 
Connected to a compaq nc6000 Laptop with a docking station.  This laptop uses an ATI mobility Radeon 6800 32mb.

TCTJMS

2 Posts

August 28th, 2006 15:00

I'm having the same issues with my 1704 FPT.  My office purchased 5 of these in 3/2005 and have had no problems until now. The backlight keeps shutting off while I'm in the middle of working on my PC. I have a D600 in docking station and using the Analog cable. I've also tried the DVI cable, and setup the monitor on a GX260 and had the same problem with the monitor in all cases.
The reason I think it is a backlight issue, is that the power light on the monitor does not shut off, only the display goes black. Normally, just a power off/on of the monitor will bring the display back, but sometimes it will just shut off again a minute later.
 

larryh1252

4 Posts

September 19th, 2006 14:00

I'm having the same problem with my 1704FPT. The screen gets brighter for a second or two and then goes black with the green power light staying on. I turn it off and back on and the screen lights up for a second and then goes black again. If I turn the monitor off for a while and then back on, it will work normally again for a few hours.
 
Oddly enough or coincidentally, this monitor started doing this right after I downloaded, installed, and upgraded my McAfee Internet Security subscription. But something tells me that was just a coincidence.  

larryh1252

4 Posts

September 19th, 2006 14:00

I'm having the same problem with my Dell 1704FPT. Did you ever come up with the correct diagnosis?

fmarlowe

1 Message

November 6th, 2006 18:00

Yep!,
            I'm cursed with the dreaded backlight cutoff problem. It's a shame because it's such a nice monitor to be plagued with this apparently inherent problem. I've looked on Dell's support section and I did not see any way to check on monitor warranty status. I bought mine brand new in the box from ebay so I guess I'm stuck. I'll probably try the "crack the case, check it out, then throw it out" method. I for one think Dell should have a repair policy on a factory flaw such as this.
Thanks Dell!

TCTJMS

2 Posts

November 6th, 2006 19:00

I just contacted Dell Tech Support today and explained the issue. They are shipping a new (refurbed) one out to me to replace.
Even though this sounds like a good deal, I am currently on my 2nd monitor. I experienced the same issues with my 1st one and Dell sent me a replacement already. Do you think they actually sent out a faulty unit to me as a replacement the 1st time? I wouldn't doubt it. Hopefully this next time around I'll have better luck! 

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