Skip to main content

Monitor and video problems

Use this information to solve monitor and video problems.

Some 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.

Table 1. Monitor and video problems.

A table with one spanned column at the top and two additional columns with headers. This table provides information about symptoms and user actions to solve monitor and video problems.

  • Follow the suggested actions in the order in which they are listed in the Action column until the problem is solved.
  • See Parts listing, Lenovo System x3750 M4 Type 8753 to determine which components are customer replaceable units (CRU) and which components are field replaceable units (FRU).
  • If an action step is preceded by (Trained service technician only), that step must be performed only by a Trained service technician.
SymptomAction
Testing the monitor or video.
  1. Make sure that the monitor cables are firmly connected.
  2. 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 to the correct connector on the rear of the server. If the video now works, replace the KVM switch.
  3. Try using the monitor on a different server. If it still does not work, replace the cable, and then replace the monitor.
  4. Make sure that the video device driver is at the latest level.
  5. (Trained service technician only) Replace the system board.
The monitor works when you turn on the server, but the screen goes blank when you start some application programs.
  1. Make sure that the following conditions are met:
    • 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.
  2. Run video diagnostics (see Running the DSA Preboot diagnostic programs).
    • If the server passes the video diagnostics, the video is good; see Solving undetermined problems.
    • (Trained service technician only) If the server fails the video diagnostics, replace the system board.
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. 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 to the correct connector on the rear of the server. If the image clears, replace the KVM switch.
  3. Reseat the monitor cable.
  4. Try the monitor on a different server. If it still does not work, replace the cable, then the monitor.
  5. Replace the adapter, if installed.
  6. (Trained service technician only) Replace the system board.
Wrong characters appear on the screen.
  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 (see Updating the firmware) with the correct language.