Monitor Or Video Problems - IBM X3950 X5 Problem Determination And Service Manual

Monitor or video problems

This topic provides possible symptoms and solutions for problems with the
monitor.
About this task
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 4, "Parts listing, Types 7145, 7146, 7143, and 7191," on page 81 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.
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IBM System x3850 X5 and x3950 X5 Types 7145, 7146, 7143, and 7191: Problem Determination and Service Guide
Action
1. Make sure that the monitor cables are firmly connected.
2. In a two-node configuration, make sure that the monitor is connected to the
primary server.
3. Try using a different monitor on the server, or try testing the monitor on a
different server.
4. Replace the I/O-board shuttle.
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 monitor cable directly to the
correct connector on the rear of the server.
2. Make sure that:
v The server is turned on. If there is no power to the server, see "Power
problems" on page 53.
v The monitor cables are connected correctly.
v The monitor is turned on and the brightness and contrast controls are
adjusted correctly.
3. Make sure that the correct server is controlling the monitor, if applicable.
4. Make sure that damaged server firmware is not affecting the video; see
"Recovering the server firmware" on page 73 for information about recovering
from server firmware failure.
5. Observe the checkpoint code display on the light path diagnostics panel; if the
codes are changing, go to the next step.
6. Replace the following components one at a time, in the order shown, restarting
the server each time:
a. Monitor
b. Video adapter (if one is installed)
c. Replace the I/O-board shuttle.
7. See "Solving undetermined problems" on page 77 for information about
solving undetermined problems.
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.