anokun7
asked on
Graphics card problem (PGX64 on Sun 420R)
I recently bought a Sun 420R server. I was told that the Video card had a problem. I got a PGX64 Sun (ATI Rage) graphics card and fitted that into its slot (the last PCI slot from the right).
I connected the cable from a working monitor and booted the server. I did not see any output - the monitor light kept on blinking - at least (I thought) I did not get the message that the serial cable is not connected, in the monitor. I do not think any OS is installed in the server - and I do not have the CD's to load any drivers. So should I have seen any output in my monitor - should there have been some change like the monitor waking up and showing the bios screen etc. None of those happened.
So I am not sure what could be wrong - where would one start to look for problems - is it the graphics card or some other hardware, I do not have another server compatible with the graphics card to check it out. So can somebody please help with where I should start looking for the problem.
Thanks!
I connected the cable from a working monitor and booted the server. I did not see any output - the monitor light kept on blinking - at least (I thought) I did not get the message that the serial cable is not connected, in the monitor. I do not think any OS is installed in the server - and I do not have the CD's to load any drivers. So should I have seen any output in my monitor - should there have been some change like the monitor waking up and showing the bios screen etc. None of those happened.
So I am not sure what could be wrong - where would one start to look for problems - is it the graphics card or some other hardware, I do not have another server compatible with the graphics card to check it out. So can somebody please help with where I should start looking for the problem.
Thanks!
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
yuzh, your advice is good for installing a card in an operational server, but he said that there is no os loaded...
Reseting the NVRAM could be dangerous on an operational server if it is booting from a non-standard disk configuration.
Reseting the NVRAM could be dangerous on an operational server if it is booting from a non-standard disk configuration.
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Will resetting the NVRAM make the newly installed graphic card into the default terminal?
I had not heard that before.
I had not heard that before.
ASKER
I am sorry I could not reply sooner.
Thanks for the many responses. I am trying each option one by one. I started with connecting to the serial port. I read all the links and it looks possible and has a lot of useful info. I think they are all lacking in one basic information - what type of serial cable to use.
The server already has a serial (DB25) to RJ45 converter. So I tried connecting with a straight ethernet cable - I also tried using a cross cable. Should I still try a serial cable? In my laptop which is a thinkpad, I have a female VGA port and actually nothing else. I expected at least a female DB9 port. Am I completely misunderstanding what I am supposed to do as far as connecting the cables?
Thanks.
Thanks for the many responses. I am trying each option one by one. I started with connecting to the serial port. I read all the links and it looks possible and has a lot of useful info. I think they are all lacking in one basic information - what type of serial cable to use.
The server already has a serial (DB25) to RJ45 converter. So I tried connecting with a straight ethernet cable - I also tried using a cross cable. Should I still try a serial cable? In my laptop which is a thinkpad, I have a female VGA port and actually nothing else. I expected at least a female DB9 port. Am I completely misunderstanding what I am supposed to do as far as connecting the cables?
Thanks.
ASKER
Anybody - any help?
What would one do if there is no serial port on the laptop. Are there serial to usb cables available? or better serial to vga?
Thanks.
What would one do if there is no serial port on the laptop. Are there serial to usb cables available? or better serial to vga?
Thanks.
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
option 1) remote login to your box as root (or su as root), cahnge the eeprom settings:
eeprom "input-device=keyboard"
eeprom "output-device=screen
shutdown the box the ok prompt, then type in:
boot -rv
or
option 2):
shutdown the system normally. Install Graphic card, keyboard & mouse,
monitor.
power on the box, then type in: (need to do it fast!)
<Stop> N
to reset your NVRAM
at ok prompt, type in:
boot -rv
it will do the job for you.
or
option 3)
setenv input-device keyboard
setenv output-device screen
then type in
boot -rv