Appendix C: Getting Help And Technical Assistance - IBM 17353LX - 1x8 Console Switch Installation And User Manual

Appendix C: Getting Help and Technical Assistance

If you need help, service, or technical assistance or just want more information about IBM®
products, you will find a wide variety of sources available from IBM to assist you. This appendix
contains information about where to go for additional information about IBM and IBM products,
what to do if you experience a problem with your system or optional device, and whom to call for
service, if it is necessary.
Before you call
Before you call, make sure that you have taken these steps to try to solve the problem yourself:
• Check all cables to make sure that they are connected.
• Check the power switches to make sure that the server and any optional devices are turned on.
• Use the troubleshooting information in your server documentation, and use the diagnostic tools
that come with your server. Information about diagnostic tools is in the Hardware Maintenance
Manual and Troubleshooting Guide or Problem Determination and Service Guide on the IBM
Documentation CD that comes with your server.
• Go to the IBM support Web site at http://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/support/xseries/
index.html to check for technical information, hints, tips, and new device drivers or to submit a
request for information.
You can solve many problems without outside assistance by following the troubleshooting
procedures that IBM provides in the online help or in the documentation that is provided with your
IBM product. The documentation that comes with IBM systems also describes the diagnostic tests
that you can perform. Most systems, operating systems, and programs come with documentation
that contains troubleshooting procedures and explanations of error messages and error codes. If you
suspect a software problem, see the documentation for the operating system or program.
Using the documentation
Information about your IBM system and preinstalled software, if any, or optional device is
available in the documentation that comes with the product. That documentation can include
printed documents, online documents, readme files, and help files. See the troubleshooting
information in your system documentation for instructions for using the diagnostic programs. The
troubleshooting information or the diagnostic programs might tell you that you need additional or
updated device drivers or other software. IBM maintains pages on the World Wide Web where you
can get the latest technical information and download device drivers and updates. To access these
pages, go to http://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/support/xseries/index.html and follow the
instructions. Also, some documents are available through the IBM Publications Center at http://
www.ibm.com/shop/publications/order/.
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