POWER GXT145 PCI Express Graphics Accelerator (FC 5748; CCIN 5269)

Learn about the features, requirements, installation notes, and troubleshooting tips for the POWER® GXT145 PCI Express Graphics Accelerator adapter.

Overview

The POWER GXT145 PCI Express Graphics Accelerator adapter is a PCI Express (PCIe) adapter that accelerates and enhances the system unit video. The adapter has no hardware switches to set. Mode selection is made through the software. Figure 1 shows the adapter and its connectors.

Figure 1. POWER GXT145 PCI Express Graphics Accelerator adapter
POWER GXT145 PCI Express Graphics Accelerator adapter.
1
Primary DVI connector (28 pin), analog, or digital
2
Secondary DVI connector (28 pin), analog, or digital

Connect the primary monitor to connector 1. If you are using an optional, secondary monitor, connect the secondary monitor to connector 2. In the system or logical partition running Linux®, the video that is displayed on the secondary monitor is the same as the video displayed the primary monitor, and at the same resolution and refresh rate.

The following table shows the feature code, custom card identification number (CCIN), and field-replaceable unit (FRU) part number for the adapter.

Table 1. CCIN and FRU number for FC 5748
Feature code (FC) Custom card identification number (CCIN) Field-replaceable unit (FRU) part number
5748 5269 10N7756

This adapter provides the following features:

  • 8-bit indexed or 24-bit true color.
  • 32-MB SDRAM frame buffer.
  • x1 PCIe bus interface.
  • Two DVI-I analog or digital connectors.
  • One monitor connected, analog, up to 2048 x 1536 resolution.
  • One monitor connected, digital, up to 1280 x 1024 resolution.
  • A second monitor supported on secondary connector at up to 1600 x 1200 analog or 1280 x 1024 digital. A second monitor supported on secondary connector at up to 1600 x 1200 analog or 1280 x 1024 digital.
    • For systems or logical partitions running Linux, a second monitor is supported on the secondary connector at resolutions up to 1600 x 1200 analog or 1280 x 1024 digital.
    • For systems or logical partitions running AIX®, when running with two monitors, both monitors must have an analog connection with the same resolution, up to 1600 x 1200. The image on the primary monitor is also displayed on the secondary monitor.
  • Display power management: Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA), Display Power Management Signaling (DPMS)

For details about slot priorities, maximums, and placement rules, see PCIe adapter placement rules and slot priorities and select the system you are working on.

Preparing for installation

If you are installing your operating system at this time, install your adapter before you install the operating system. If you are installing only the device driver for this adapter, install your device driver software before you install the adapter.

Installing the adapter

For instructions about installing PCIe adapters, see Installing, removing, or replacing PCIe adapters and select the system you are working on.

Verifying the adapter installation

To verify that your system unit recognizes the PCI adapter, do the following steps:

  1. If necessary, log in as root user.
  2. At the command line, type: lsdev -Cs pci
  3. Press Enter.

A list of PCI devices is displayed. If the adapter is installed correctly, the status of available for each port indicates that the adapter is installed and ready to use. If a message indicates that any of the ports are defined instead of available, shut down your server and verify that the adapter was installed correctly.

Troubleshooting

If you have video problems after the initial installation, follow these procedures to troubleshoot the problem:

  • Check the cables.
  • Check the device driver software installation.
  • Check the console.
  • Check the adapter installation.

Checking the cables

  1. Ensure the monitor cables are connected to the correct adapter.
  2. If you have more than one video adapter, be sure that each adapter is connected to a monitor.
  3. Verify that the connections are secure.
  4. If no log-in prompt appears, restart the system unit.

Checking the device driver software installation

Verify that the device driver for the POWER GXT145 PCI Express Graphics Accelerator adapter is installed by typing the following command and then pressing Enter:

lslpp -l all | grep GXT145

If the GXT145 device driver is installed, the following table is an example of the data that appears if you are running AIX Version 5.2: 
devices.pci.2b102725.X11 5.2.0.105 COMMITTED AIXwindows GXT145 Graphics 
devices.pci.2b102725.diag 5.2.0.105 COMMITTED GXT145 Graphics Adapter 
devices.pci.2b102725.rte   5.2.0.105  COMMITTED GXT145 Graphics Adapter

If the POWER GXT145 device driver did not fully install, reinstall the driver. For instructions, see Installing the AIX device driver software .

Checking the console
  1. If you continue to experience problems, you can redirect the monitor to the new adapter using the chdisp command.
  2. If you continue to experience problems after you have checked your cables and tried the chdisp command, run diagnostics.

Checking the adapter installation

Verify that the system unit recognizes the POWER GXT145 PCI Express Graphics Accelerator adapter.

At the AIX command-line type lsdev -Cs pci. If the POWER GXT145 PCI Express Graphics Accelerator adapter is correctly installed, the following is an example of the data that appears: 
cor0 Available 0K-00 GXT145 Graphics Adapter

If the message indicates that the adapter is DEFINED instead of AVAILABLE, shut down the system unit and check the POWER GXT145 PCI Express Graphics Accelerator adapter to ensure that it is installed correctly. If you continue to experience problems after following the steps in this section, contact service and support for assistance.

Operating system or partition requirements

If you are installing a new feature, ensure that you have the software that is required to support the new feature and you must determine any prerequisites that must be met for this feature and the attached devices. For information about operating system and partition requirements, see one of the following topics: