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Monitor and video problems

Follow this procedure to solve problems related to a monitor or video.

Incorrect characters are displayed​

Complete the following steps until the problem is solved.

  1. Verify that the language and locality settings are correct for the keyboard and operating system.

  2. If the wrong language is displayed, update the server firmware to the latest level.

Screen is blank​

Complete the following steps until the problem is solved.

  1. If you have installed new DIMMs recently, make sure the capacity of the new DIMMs are the same as the previously installed ones. If not, remove the newly installed DIMMs, and power on the server again.

  2. If a graphical adapter is installed, wait for a while as it takes about three minutes before Lenovo logo is displayed.

  3. If there are other monitors that are connected to the server, remove them.

  4. Make sure that:

    • The server is turned on.

    • The monitor cables are securely connected.

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

  5. Disconnect the cable and select another video connector for connection.

  6. Replace the following components one at a time, in the order shown, restarting the server each time:

    1. Monitor cable

    2. Monitor

    3. Video adapter (if one is installed)

    4. (Trained technician only) System board

Screen goes blank when you start some application programs​

Complete the following steps until the problem is solved.

  1. Make sure that:

    • The application program is not set in a display mode with resolution that is higher than the capability of the monitor (1152 x 864).

    • The necessary device drivers for the application are all installed.

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

Complete the following steps until the problem is solved.

  1. If the monitor self-tests show that the monitor is working correctly, examine the location of the monitor. Magnetic fields around other devices (such as transformers, appliances, fluorescent, 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 inches) 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 inches).

    2. Non-Lenovo monitor cables might cause unpredictable problems.

  2. Disconnect and reconnect the monitor cable.

  3. Replace the following components one at a time, in the order shown, restarting the server each time:

    1. Monitor cable

    2. Monitor

    3. Video adapter (if one is installed)

    4. (Trained technician only) System board