IBM System x3550 M3 Type 4254 Problem Determination And Service Manual page 112

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, System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944," on page 159 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.
v Go to the IBM support Web site at http://www.ibm.com/systems/support/ to check for technical
information, hints, tips, and new device drivers or to submit a request for information.
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.
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IBM System x3550 M3 Types 4254 and 7944: Problem Determination and Service Guide
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 116).
v If the server passes the video diagnostics, the video is good; see "Solving
undetermined problems" on page 155.
v (Trained service technician only) If the server fails the video diagnostics,
replace the system board.
1. If the monitor self-tests show that the monitor is working correctly, consider the
location of the monitor. Magnetic fields around other devices (such as
transformers, appliances, fluorescents, 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 monitor cable.
3. Replace the components listed in step 2 one at a time, in the order shown,
restarting the server each time:
a. Monitor cable
b. Video adapter (if one is installed)
c. Monitor
d. (Trained service technician only) System board.
1. If the wrong language is displayed, update the server firmware to the latest
level (see "Updating the firmware" on page 255) with the correct language.
2. Reseat the monitor cable.
3. Replace the components listed in step 2 one at a time, in the order shown,
restarting the server each time:
a. Monitor cable
b. Video adapter (if one is installed)
c. Monitor
d. (Trained service technician only) System board.