IBM System x3950 Type 8878 Service Manual page 113

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
The monitor works when you
turn on the server, but the
screen goes blank when you
start some application
programs.
The monitor has screen jitter, or
the screen image is wavy,
unreadable, rolling, or distorted.
Wrong characters appear on the
screen.
Action
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" on page 112).
v If the server passes the video diagnostics, the video is good; see "Solving
undetermined problems" on page 158.
v (Trained service technician only) If the server fails the video diagnostics,
reseat the I/O board.
v Replace the I/O board.
1. If the monitor self-tests show the monitor is working correctly, consider the
location of the monitor. Magnetic fields around other devices (such as
transformers, appliances, fluorescent lights, and other monitors) can cause
screen jitter or wavy, unreadable, rolling, or distorted screen images. If this
happens, turn off the monitor.
Attention: Moving a color monitor while it is turned on might cause screen
discoloration.
Move the device and the monitor at least 305 mm (12 in.) apart, and turn on
the monitor.
Notes:
a. To prevent diskette drive read/write errors, make sure that the distance
between the monitor and any external diskette drive is at least 76 mm (3
in.).
b. Non-IBM monitor cables might cause unpredictable problems.
2. Reseat the following components:
a. Monitor
b. Remote Supervisor Adapter II SlimLine (if one is present)
c. I/O board
3. Replace the components listed in step 2 one at a time, in the order shown,
restarting the server each time.
1. If the wrong language is displayed, update the BIOS code (see "Updating the
firmware" on page 13) with the correct language.
2. Reseat the following components:
a. Monitor
b. I/O board
3. Replace the components listed in step 2 one at a time, in the order shown,
restarting the server each time.
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Chapter 5. Diagnostics