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© Copyright IBM Corp. 2002 27
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 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.
Getting help and information from the World Wide Web
On the World Wide Web, the IBM Web site has up-to-date information about IBM
xSeries and IntelliStation products, services, and support. The address for IBM
xSeries information is http://www.ibm.com/eserver/xseries/. The address for IBM
IntelliStation information is http://www.ibm.com/pc/intellistation/.
You can find service information for your IBM products, including supported options, at
http://www.ibm.com/pc/support/. If you click Profile from the support page, you can