When you have problems with your video display, it can be something as simple as having the brightness turned down, to a bad controller on the motherboard. If you have not done, first learn to identify the components of the video display system.

When you look inside any open computer, see if you can locate the video card. Is your video card mounted in an adapter slot or is it integrated onto the motherboard. If the card is motherboard integrated, locate the jumpers that will allow the card to be disabled should you need to install another card.

The monitor is the second component in the video display and it must be compatible with your video card. Be sure the maximum resolution of your video card and monitor are the same. Its even better to use a higher resolution display on your monitor.

Go to http://www.ultimatepcrepair.com/photos.html, to see a video card in an adapter slot and one that is motherboard mounted. Follow these procedures to correct any type of video display malfunction.

NOTHING ON THE MONITOR
As we first mentioned, check the brightness and contrast buttons on the monitor to be sure they are not turned down. Yeah, we know, this sounds a little silly to think this could be overlooked, but believe me, it really does.

And while we're talking about simple checks, be sure the monitor is receiving power. If the power indicator light is out, remove the power cable and look for any bent or broken pins or connectors.

Try to reboot the computer one or two times to be sure the system did not just lock up. If nothing happens, replace the cable with a known good cable to prove that the wall outlet or surge protector has power.

If the monitor has power but nothing is on the screen, check the data cable going into the rear of the computer. Be sure the cable is secure. If it is, turn the power off to the system unit, remove the cable and look for broken, loose, or bent pins.

Finally, if you're blessed enough to have two computers, exchange the monitor with a good monitor to see if it works. Replace the old monitor if the new monitor works. If the new monitor fails as well, remove the system cover to inspect the Video card.

MONITOR WORKS BUT NO DISPLAY
When the monitor is known to be good, but its screen is still blank, the video card is the most likely culprit. First inspect the card to be sure it is fully seated in its slot, if it is adapter slot mounted.

Check the jumpers of any motherboard mounted card to be sure a jumper has not been lost or loose. If you have been inside your system, it’s always a possibility to have moved the card.

MONITOR WORKS BUT POOR DISPLAY
If your monitor works but the images appear fuzzy, or flickering often, and the text are hard to read, it may be time to adjust the video card's resolution and the refresh rate.

Right click the desktop, select properties and open the display properties dialog box. Choose the tab for settings and adjust the slider to change your display resolution. Most 17-inch monitors will have a resolution of 800 x 600 but choose the best resolution for your eyes.

After adjusting the resolution, check the display to see if all flickering and other problems have vanished. If not, optimize the refresh rate. The refresh rate is the rate in which the video card redraws the screen. Lower refresh rates sometimes cause flickering.

To adjust this rate, open the display properties dialog box in the desktop, and choose the settings tab once again. Click the advanced button and choose the adapter tab if your operating system is Windows 98.

If you have Windows XP, choose the Monitor tab. And from there you can set the refresh rate to about 70Hz or 70 Hertz. Check your monitor's manual or web site to see the maximum refresh rate for your monitor.

To effectively maintain your video display, visit the supporting web sites for updated software patches and device drivers. Watch for new control software for your card that will greatly boost its performance.

Take the time to clean the system unit case which will allow air to flow freely. This in turn will help keep the video components cool which will allow the card to perform smoothly.

Otis F. Cooper is solely dedicated to boosting the knowledge and confidence of every computer user. Use his informative articles and videos to understand all about the PC. Read more in depth articles for pc training and repair at www.repairarticles.com

Computing may seem to be an effortless activity, whether it's for a job or for fun. But, if you keep doing the same tasks over and over for a long time in the same position, it may cause damage in certain parts of the body - the PC version of the notorious related strain injuries (RSI).

For instance, most people depend on the mouse while working on the computer. Doing this for only a few minutes should not be a problem for most.

However, repeating the same movements over and over again without a break can expose the small muscles and tendons of the hand to hundreds or even thousands of activations (repetitions).

You may not get enough time between activations for rest and recovery, which can cause localized fatigue, wear and tear, and injury to your body.

Similarly, if you maintain one position continuously, such as viewing a screen for hours without taking a break, it can tire the muscles of the neck and shoulder that support the head.

Typical Symptoms of RSI include:
- Discomfort or stiffness in the hands, wrists, fingers, forearms, or elbows.
- Coldness, tingling feelings or numbness in the fingers and hands.
- Weakness or clumsiness in the hands.
- Wanting to frequently massage your hands, wrists, and arms
- Pains in the upper back, shoulders, or neck shoulders and upper back

You can greatly reduce the risks and pains from RSI by following these tips:

1) Work in a NEUTRAL BODY POSITIONING (“A comfortable working posture with a natural alignment of all your joints from head to toes”).
- Make sure that your hands, wrists, and forearms are inline, straight, and almost parallel to the floor.
- Ensure your head and torso are in-line, with head slightly bent forward, facing towards the front, and balanced.
- Ensure that your shoulders are at ease with upper arms lying normally at the sides of your body.
- Ensure that your elbows are close to your body and bent between about 90 and 110 degrees.
- Your feet should be either supported by a footrest or they should be resting on the floor.
- While leaning back or sitting in a vertical position, make sure that your back is supported fully, particularly in the lumbosacral (lower back) area.
- Your seat should be well padded, so that your hips and thighs are well supported.
- your knees and hips should be at almost the same height, with your feet slightly forward.

2). Try to vary your tasks and work areas so that you get enough time for your muscles and joints to recover.

3). Arrange your workstation in such a way that you can easily change your working postures according to your convenience.

4). Have adjustable furniture for the work area that allows you to shift to different seated positions whenever you want to. This helps different muscle groups give you support, while others rest.

5). Your worktop should be spacious enough to let you use the mouse with either hand alternately. Thus the tendons and muscles of the free hand get enough relaxation.

6). Reduce your dependence on the mouse and use more shortcut keys. For example, you can use Ctrl+S to save, Ctrl+P to print etc. Certain jobs do require more dependence on the mouse. Users in such professions should definitely learn to use more shortcut keys.

7). Jobs that usually involve repeated tasks (or maintaining one position) can lead to muscular strain. Escape this by taking several short breaks or relaxed pauses, and stand, stretch, and move around during these breaks. This increases blood circulation and gives enough time for your muscles to relax.

8). Try to mix computer tasks and non-computer tasks alternately whenever possible. This encourages the movement of different parts of the body by varying the muscle groups in action.

9). Exercise gently at your computer, with stretches, turns, and flexes.

Fight the risks from RSI, and you'll be in an excellent position to continue healthy computing today and into the future!

Mick Madigan lives in the UK, has a continual interest in healthy computing, and has recently published a unique detailed guide on the ways computing can harm you - and how you can avoid them - at www.m1mart.co.uk A stress- busting audio/text exercise ebook, plus futher articles on staying fitter at your PC, can also be downloaded without obligation from this site.