IBM 8677 Appendix A. Getting help and technical assistance

Appendix A. 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 appendix contains information about where to go for additional

information about IBM and IBM products, what to do if you experience a problem

with your Eserver or IntelliStation

system, and whom to call for service, if it is

necessary.

Before you call, make sure that you have taken these steps to try to solve the

problem yourself:

vCheck all cables to make sure that they are connected.

vCheck the power switches to make sure that the system is turned on.

vUse the troubleshooting information in your system documentation, and use the

diagnostic tools that come with your system.

vGo to the IBM Support Web site at http://www.ibm.com/pc/support/ to check for

technical information, hints, tips, and new device drivers.

vUse an IBM discussion forum on the IBM Web site to ask questions.

Youcan 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 Eserver 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.

Information about your IBM Eserver 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.

Toaccess 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/.

On the World Wide Web, the IBM Web site has up-to-date information about IBM

Eserver and IntelliStation products, services, and support.The address for IBM

Eserver information is http://www.ibm.com/eserver/xseries/.The address for IBM

IntelliStation information is http://www.ibm.com/pc/intellistation/.