This chapter explains how to unpack the flat panel monitor and set it up with your computer.
The flat panel monitor is driven by an adapter board that is installed in your computer. In some cases, the adapter board and software are installed at the factory before shipment; in other cases, you need to install them yourself.
If the flat panel adapter board and software have already been installed, continue with these instructions.
If you are installing the adapter board and software, install them now, using the instructions and CD that came with the adapter board. Be sure to read any documentation or release notes on the CD for instructions specific to your computer. Then return to this manual.
In addition, see your computer's documentation (in most cases, an owner's guide) for any information specific to your computer.
If you plan to use the flat panel monitor with a standard cathode-ray tube (CRT) monitor, be aware of the following:
The flat panel monitor was not designed to be used simultaneously with a conventional cathode-ray tube (CRT) monitor when both monitors are attached to the same graphics adapter board. If you are operating your flat panel monitor from a PCI or AGP board and have a CRT monitor connected to your system, you may need to use your system's setup utility to select a primary (default) monitor.
If your system can use separate, dual PCI, or AGP cards, then you may be able to use the flat panel monitor and a CRT monitor at the same time. See your system's owner's guide and any documentation provided with the adapter board for more information.
To unpack and set up the flat panel monitor, follow these steps. (Unpacking instructions are also printed on the shipping box.) Save the original shipping materials in case you need to return the monitor for service.
Open the box, remove the top carton and AC power cord, and set both aside.
Using the lifting strap that is packed around the monitor, carefully lift the monitor, its base, and some protective foam pieces from the box. Place this assembly on a flat surface.
Remove the top foam support, then lift the monitor from the bottom foam piece and remove the plastic bag.
Remove the protective film from the screen by peeling it away slowly from one corner, keeping the peeled off portion as close to the monitor's surface as possible. Be careful not to get fingerprints on the exposed coated glass surface. Keep this protective film in case you need to return the monitor for service.
Remove the box containing the AC adapter from the foam packing, and remove the AC adapter from the box.
Also note the 3 mm hex wrench included with the shipment. Use this tool if you want to remove your monitor from its pedestal, for example, to place the monitor on a mounting arm or wall mount.
You are finished unpacking your flat panel monitor. The following sections describe the flat panel monitor and show you how to set it up.
You may want to take a moment to familiarize yourself with the monitor's features, as shown in Figure 1-1.
For your computer to recognize the flat panel monitor you should connect the monitor first, before turning on your computer. To connect the cables, follow these steps:
Turn off your computer.
Attach the flat panel monitor's interface cable, indicated in Figure 1-1, to the appropriate connector on your computer. (See your computer's documentation.)
Tuck the interface cable behind the clip on the base of the monitor, as shown in Figure 1-1.
Connect the power cables as follows:
Connect the DC power cable from the AC adapter to the DC input power connector on the back of the flat panel monitor, as shown in Figure 1-2.
Tuck the power cable behind the clip on the rear of the stand.
Connect one end of the AC power cord to the AC adapter and the other end of the AC power cord to a grounded electrical wall outlet or power strip. (The illustration shows the AC adapter and cord for the U.S.A. The power cord for your country may look different.)
 | Note: The AC adapter is auto-ranging, which means that it automatically adjusts for different AC voltages from almost any power source (50-60 Hz, 110-220 VAC) without using an additional transformer. |
Be sure to install your flat panel monitor close to a grounded electrical wall outlet.
To turn on the monitor, press the power button on the front. See Figure 1-1 for the location of the power button. Once the system supplies signals to the flat panel monitor, the LED next to the power button turns green.
If the flat panel monitor does not light up, and if the LED is blinking yellow, check that the interface cable is firmly attached to the correct connector on the computer.
For additional troubleshooting information, go to Chapter 2, “Troubleshooting.”
You can adjust the flat panel monitor to a height and tilt that is comfortable for you. You can raise or lower the monitor a maximum of 3.75 inches (95 mm).
To raise the monitor:
Hold the monitor along the bottom or right edge with your right hand.
Grip the left side of the monitor with your left hand and pull the lever behind the monitor toward you, while raising the monitor to the desired height.
To lower the monitor:
Pull the lever behind the monitor toward you with your left hand and immediately release the lever.
Each time you pull the lever, the monitor lowers one stop. There are 10 stops total and each stop is about 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) lower than the previous one.
Repeat this step until you find the desired height, or hold the lever in the depressed position until it reaches the height you want.
To adjust the tilt, hold the monitor on both sides and tilt it forward or back until you find the best viewing angle.
If you want more desktop space or more versatility in viewing positions, you may want to purchase a mobile arm or wall mounting bracket. The flat panel monitor has a standard Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) mounting on the rear. Mobile arms are available in many computer stores.
To turn off the monitor, press the power button on the front. See Figure 1-1. SGI recommends that you turn off your monitor when you are going to be away for more than a few hours; doing so can dramatically increase the life span of the lamps in the backlight of the flat panel monitor.
Also, if your computer has screen-saver and power-saving functions, make sure they are enabled. As with a CRT, the screen saver prevents an image from being burned into the screen. Using a power-saving function helps prolong the life of the backlight lamps inside the flat panel monitor.
In power-saving mode, the LED on the monitor is solid yellow. To restore power, move the mouse or press a key on the keyboard. For instructions specific to your computer, refer also to the documentation that came with your computer's flat panel adapter board.
In typical operation, the flat panel monitor should remain attached to its base. However, you might want to remove the monitor from its base to, for example, place it on a mounting arm or wall mount.
Follow the instructions in these sections to remove the monitor from its base and to place it back on the base.
You may find these tasks easier to accomplish if another person helps you.
To remove the monitor from its base, follow these steps:
Locate the 3 mm hex wrench included with your flat panel monitor.
Raise the monitor to its highest position. This makes it easier to remove the screws. See Figure 1-3.
Tilt the monitor forward for easier access to the two screws.
Note: After you remove the two screws, make sure that you or someone else is holding the monitor.
Holding the monitor as shown in Figure 1-4, use the 3 mm hex wrench to loosen and remove the two hex screws that secure the monitor to its base. Save the screws in case you need to replace the monitor on its base.
Pull the monitor toward you. You may need someone else to support the base as you do this.
Optionally, fold down the metal tab at the rear of the flat panel, as shown in Figure 1-4. You may need to use pliers.
Replacing the flat panel monitor on its base is the reverse procedure of removing it:
If the metal mounting tab has been folded down, flip it back up. You may need to use pliers.
With the base and the front of the monitor facing you, grasp the monitor with both hands, and guide the hinge into the opening for it on the base.
Note: Do not leave the monitor unsupported before inserting the screws. Supporting the monitor with one hand, insert and tighten the two screws that you removed when the monitor was first removed from its base.
To tighten the screws, use either the wrench originally supplied with the monitor or any 3 mm hex wrench.
If your computer has a screen-saver program, make sure it is enabled. As with a CRT monitor, leaving an image up without a screen saver for a long time may burn the image into the monitor.
You adjust the brightness with a software control panel. This feature works differently on various computers and adapter boards. See the documentation that came with the flat panel monitor's adapter board or your computer's owner's guide for information on adjusting the brightness.
Your flat panel monitor has a separate and unique system to set the white point of your screen. As with the brightness adjustment, you adjust the white point with a software control panel, and this feature works differently on various computers and adapter boards. For information on setting the white point, see the documentation that came with the flat panel monitor's adapter board or your computer's owner's guide.
Specifications for the adjustable white balance range are in “Technical Specifications”.
The flat panel monitor is equipped with a sensor port, which is a 3.5 mm (1/8 inch) jack located between and slightly below the power connector and the interface cable. See Figure 1-1.
The sensor port can be used with light- and color-sensing devices (such as a colorimeter), if your host computer supports the device. See your owner's guide, the information provided with your adapter board, or other documentation.
Use only sensing devices that are specifically designed to measure LCD flat panel displays. Do not use a device that attaches to the display screen using a suction cup; not only does this type of device give incorrect readings but the suction cup may damage the display.
Follow these recommendations to use your flat panel monitor:
Allow the flat panel monitor to warm up for at least a minute.
Always have your computer's screen saver enabled to prevent images from burning into the monitor.
Turn the monitor off when you will be away from it for more than a few hours. This dramatically lengthens the life span of the monitor's backlight lamps.
If your computer has a power-saving feature, enable it to help lengthen the life span of the monitor's backlight lamps.
For best color viewing, the monitor should be between 18 inches (46 cm) and 28 inches (71 cm) away from your eyes.
Adjust the monitor height so that the center of the screen is at or slightly below eye level. For the brightest image and most accurate color, view the screen as close as possible to perpendicular (a 90° angle). See Figure 1-5. (Refer to Table 3-1 for the viewing angle limits.)
Although the monitor screen has a special anti-glare coating, you should place the monitor at a 90° angle to light sources, including windows, to minimize glare and reflections. Adjust the monitor tilt to minimize reflections.
Keep the monitor screen clean. See “Cleaning and General Care of the Flat Panel Monitor”.
If you want to lock your flat panel monitor, you can buy a Kensington lock mechanism and insert it into the lock slot on the back, as shown in Figure 1-6. The Kensington lock is not available through SGI, but it is a commonly used lock that you can find at most computer retail stores.
