Appendix C. Getting help and technical assistance
If you need help, service, or technical assistance or just want more information about IBM products, you will find a wide variety of sources available from IBM to assist you. This section contains information about where to go for additional information about IBM and IBM products, what to do if you experience a problem with your xSeries or IntelliStation system, and whom to call for service, if it is necessary.
Before you call
Before you call, make sure that you have taken these steps to try to solve the problem yourself:
Check all cables to make sure that they are connected.
Check the power switches to make sure that the system is turned on.
Use the troubleshooting information in your system documentation, and use the diagnostic tools that come with your system.
Go to the IBM Support Web site at http://www.ibm.com/pc/support/ to check for technical information, hints, tips, and new device drivers.
Use an IBM discussion forum on the IBM Web site to ask questions.
You can solve many problems without outside assistance by following the troubleshooting procedures that IBM provides in the online help or in the publications that are provided with your system and software. The information that comes with your system also describes the diagnostic tests that you can perform. Most xSeries and IntelliStation systems, operating systems, and programs come with information that contains troubleshooting procedures and explanations of error messages and error codes. If you suspect a software problem, see the information for the operating system or program.
Using the documentation
Information about your IBM xSeries or IntelliStation system and preinstalled software, if any, is available in the documentation that comes with your system. That documentation includes printed books, online books, README files, and help files. See the troubleshooting information in your system documentation for instructions for using the diagnostic programs. The troubleshooting information or the diagnostic programs might tell you that you need additional or updated device drivers or other software. IBM maintains pages on the World Wide Web where you can get the latest technical information and download device drivers and updates. To access these pages, go to http://www.ibm.com/pc/support/ and follow the instructions. Also, you can order publications through the IBM Publications Ordering System at http://www.elink.ibmlink.ibm.com/public/applications/publications/cgibin/pbi.cgi.
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