Monitor Problems - IBM System x3950 Type 8878 Service Manual

Monitor problems

Some IBM monitors have their own self-tests. If you suspect a problem with your
monitor, see the documentation 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 Chapter 3, "Parts listing, Type 8878 and 8879," on page 23 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.
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IBM System x3950 Type 8878 and System x3950 E Type 8879: Problem Determination and Service Guide
Action
1. Make sure the monitor cables are firmly connected.
2. Try using a different monitor on the server, or try using the monitor 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 following components:
a. Remote Supervisor Adapter II SlimLine (if one is present)
b. I/O board
5. Replace the components listed in step 4 one at a time, in the order shown,
restarting the server each time.
1. If the server is attached to a KVM switch, bypass the KVM switch to eliminate it
as a possible cause of the problem: connect the keyboard cable directly to the
correct connector on the rear of the server.
2. Make sure that:
v The server is powered on. If there is no power to the server, see "Power
problems" on page 99.
v The monitor cables are connected correctly.
v The monitor is turned on and the brightness and contrast controls are
adjusted correctly.
v Make sure that no beep codes sounded 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 do the
following:
a. Turn off the server.
b. Move the memory card to a different slot.
c. Turn on the server.
Note: BIOS will see a new configuration and automatically re-enable the
memory slots the were previously disabled.
d. Turn off the server.
e. Return the memory card to the slot it was removed from in 2b.
f. Turn on the server.
3. Make sure that the correct server is controlling the monitor, if applicable.
4. Make sure that damaged BIOS code is not affecting the video; see "Recovering
from a BIOS update failure" on page 130.
5. Observe the checkpoint LEDs on the I/O board; if the codes are changing, go
to the next step. If the codes are not changing, see "Checkpoint codes (trained
service technicians only)" on page 88.
6. See "Solving undetermined problems" on page 158.