Monitor Or Video Problems - IBM xSeries 100 Problem Determination And Service Manual

Monitor or video 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, xSeries 100 Type 8486," on page 49 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. (Trained service technician only) Replace the 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 34.
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 Startup Option 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 damaged BIOS code is not affecting the video; see "Recovering
from a BIOS update failure" on page 44.
3. Observe the checkpoint LEDs on the system 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 23.
4. See "Solving undetermined problems" on page 47.
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 37).
v If the server passes the video diagnostics, the video is good; see "Solving
undetermined problems" on page 47.
v (Trained service technician only) If the server fails the video diagnostics,
replace the system board.
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Chapter 2. Diagnostics