Monitor Problems - IBM System x3400 Type 7975 Installation Manual

Monitor problems

Some IBM monitors have their own self-tests. If you suspect a problem with your
monitor, see the information that comes with the monitor for instructions for testing
and adjusting the monitor. If you cannot diagnose the problem, call for service.
v Follow the suggested actions in the order in which they are listed in the Action column until the problem
is solved.
v See the parts listing in the Problem Determination and Service Guide to determine which components are
customer replaceable units (CRU) and which components are field replaceable units (FRU).
v If an action step is preceded by "(Trained service technician only)," that step must be performed only by a
trained service technician.
Symptom
Testing the monitor
The screen is blank.
The monitor works when you
turn on the server, but the
screen goes blank when you
start some application
programs.
Action
1. Make sure that the monitor cables are firmly connected.
2. Try using a different monitor on the server, or try using the monitor that is being
tested on a different server.
3. Run the diagnostic programs. If the monitor passes the diagnostic programs,
the problem might be a video device driver.
4. Reseat the Remote Supervisor Adapter II SlimLine (if one is present).
5. Replace the following components one at a time, in the order shown, restarting
the server each time:
a. Remote Supervisor Adapter II SlimLine (if one is present)
b. (Trained service technician only) System board
1. Make sure that:
v The server is turned on. If there is no power to the server, see "Power
problems" on page 88.
v The monitor cables are connected correctly.
v The monitor is turned on and the brightness and contrast controls are
adjusted correctly.
v No beep codes sound when the server is turned on.
Important: In some memory configurations, the 3-3-3 beep code might sound
during POST, followed by a blank monitor screen. If this occurs and the Boot
Fail Count option in the Start Options of the Configuration/Setup Utility
program is enabled, you must restart the server three times to reset the
configuration settings to the default configuration (the memory connector or
bank of connectors enabled).
2. Make sure that the correct server is controlling the monitor, if applicable.
3. Make sure that damaged BIOS code is not affecting the video; see "Recovering
from a BIOS update failure" in the Problem Determination and Service Guide
on the IBM System x3400 Documentation CD.
4. See "Solving undetermined problems" in the Problem Determination and
Service Guide.
1. Make sure that:
v The application program is not setting a display mode that is higher than the
capability of the monitor.
v You installed the necessary device drivers for the application.
2. Run video diagnostics (see "Running the diagnostic programs" in the Problem
Determination and Service Guide on the IBM System x3400 Documentation
CD).
v If the server passes the video diagnostics, the video is good; see "Solving
undetermined problems" in the Problem Determination and Service Guide.
v (Trained service technician only) If the server fails the video diagnostics,
replace the system board.
Chapter 5. Solving problems
85