POWER GXT145 PCI Express Graphics Accelerator (FC 5748)

Overview

The POWER GXT145 graphics 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

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. For AIX®, 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 and field-replaceable unit part number for the adapter.

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.
  • For Linux, a second monitor is supported on the secondary connector at resolutions up to 1600 x 1200 analog or 1280 x 1024 digital.
  • For 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 will also be displayed on the secondary monitor.
• Display power management: Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA), Display Power Management Signaling (DPMS)

Operating system or partition requirements

The adapter is supported under the following operating systems:

• AIX 5L™ Version 5.3 with the 5300-06 Technology Level or later
• AIX 5L Version 5.2 with the 5200-10 Technology Level or later
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux version 4.5
• SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 SP1

If you require support on another AIX release, ensure that the adapter is supported on that release before you install the adapter. Contact service and support for assistance.

If you are installing a new feature, ensure that you have the software required to support the new feature and that you determine if there are any existing prerequisites. To do this, use the IBM® Prerequisite Web site at http://www-912.ibm.com/e_dir/eServerPrereq.nsf .

Preparing for installation

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

Gathering tools and documentation

Installing the device driver software

This section explains how to install device driver software for the adapter. The device driver is provided for the AIX 5L operating system.

To install device driver software, do the following steps:

1. Log in to the system unit as root user.
2. Insert the media containing the device driver software (for example, the CD) into the media device.

   If your system does not have a CD-ROM drive, refer to your system documentation for performing a Network Installation Management (NIM) installation.

3. Type the following System Management Interface Tool (SMIT) fast path command: smit devinst
4. Press Enter. The Install Additional Device Software window highlights the INPUT device / directory for software option.
5. Type the name of the input device that you are using, or press F4 to select the input device from a list.
6. Press Enter. The Install Additional Device Software window highlights the SOFTWARE to install option.
7. Press F4 to select List.
8. Type / to display the Find window.
9. Type the device package name devices.pci.2b102725.
10. Press Enter. The system finds and highlights this device driver software.
11. Press F7 to select the highlighted device driver software.
12. Press Enter. The INSTALL ADDITIONAL DEVICE SOFTWARE window displays. The entry fields are automatically updated.
13. Press Enter to accept the information. The ARE YOU SURE window displays.
14. Press Enter to accept the information. The COMMAND STATUS window displays.
    • The message RUNNING is highlighted to indicate that the installation and configuration command is in progress.
    • When RUNNING changes to OK, scroll to the bottom of the page and locate the installation summary.
    • After a successful installation, SUCCESS displays in the Result column of the installation summary at the bottom of the page.
15. Remove the installation media from the drive.
16. Press F10 to exit SMIT.

Installing the adapter

This section explains how to install the adapter. If you are installing your operating system at this time, install your adapter before you install the operating system. If the operating system is already installed and you need to install the device driver for this adapter, install the device driver software before you install the adapter. See Installing the device driver software for instructions.

To install the adapter, follow these steps:

1. Determine the PCIe slot in which to place the adapter.

   The POWER GXT145 graphics adapter has an x1 PCIe connector and can be placed in a PCIe x1, x4, x8 or x16 slot. See the PCI adapter placement for machine type 94xx or PCI adapter placement for machine types 82xx and 91xx for information about the PCIe slots on your system unit.

2. Shut down the system unit and install the adapter using the instructions in the system unit documentation.
3. Connect the monitor cable to the adapter.

   If necessary, you can use a DVI-A dongle (feature code 4276) for connecting a VGA 15-pin connector on a monitor cable to the DVI connector on the adapter. For example, a DVI-A dongle is needed to connect to a TF3 console or a KVM switch.

4. Start the system unit and the monitor.
5. When prompted, configure the adapter by following the online configuration instructions.
6. When Select Display (console) appears, press the number key on your keyboard for the monitor that is to be the default.

Troubleshooting

Checking the device driver software installation

Verify that the device driver for the POWER GXT145 is installed by typing the following command and then pressing Enter:

lslpp -l all | grep GXT145

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.

See Installing the device driver software.

Checking the adapter installation

Verify that the system unit recognizes the POWER GXT145 adapter. At the AIX command line type lsdev -Cs pci.

cor0 Available 0K-00 GXT145 Graphics Adapter  

If the message indicates the adapter is DEFINED instead of AVAILABLE, shut down the system unit and check the GXT145 adapter to ensure it is installed correctly.

If you continue to experience problems after following the steps in this section, contact service and support for assistance.