Monitor and video problems

• Incorrect characters are displayed

• Screen is blank

• Screen goes blank when you start some application programs

• The monitor has screen jitter, or the screen image is wavy, unreadable, rolling, or distorted

• The wrong characters appear on the screen

• Monitor display fails when connected to the VGA connector of the server

Incorrect characters are displayed​

Screen is blank​

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. The management controller remote presence function is disabled if you install an optional video adapter. To use the management controller remote presence function, remove the optional video adapter.

3. If the server is installed with the graphical adapters while turning on the server, the Lenovo logo is displayed on the screen after approximately 3 minutes. This is normal operation while the system loads.

4. Make sure that:

   • The server is turned on and there is power supplied to the server.

   • The monitor cables are connected correctly.

   • The monitor is turned on and the brightness and contrast controls are adjusted correctly.

5. Make sure that the correct server is controlling the monitor, if applicable.

6. Make sure that the video output is not affected by corrupted server firmware; See Update the firmware.

7. If the problem remains, contact Lenovo Support.

Screen goes blank when you start some application programs​

1. Make sure that:

   • The application program is not setting a display mode that is higher than the capability of the monitor.

   • You installed the necessary device drivers for the application.

The monitor has screen jitter, or the screen image is wavy, unreadable, rolling, or distorted​

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.

   Note

   1. 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.).

   2. Non-Lenovo 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:

   1. Monitor cable

   2. Video adapter (if one is installed)

   3. Monitor

The wrong characters appear on the screen​

Monitor display fails when connected to the VGA connector of the server​

Complete the following steps until the problem is solved:

1. Check and ensure that the server is turned on.

2. If there is a KVM connected between the monitor and server, remove the KVM.

3. Reconnect the monitor cables and ensure that the cables are connected correctly.

4. Try to use a monitor that has been verified without a problem.

5. If the monitor display still fails, do the following:

   • If the VGA connector is on the front of the server:

     1. Remove and reconnect the internal VGA cable. Ensure that the VGA cable is correctly connected to the system board (system board assembly). See Internal cable routing

     2. Replace the left rack latch with VGA. See Rack latches replacement.

     3. (Trained technician only) Replace the system I/O board.

   • If the VGA connector is on the rear of the server:

     1. (Trained technician only) Replace the system I/O board.