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5-10 Dell PowerEdge 6100/200 System Installation and Troubleshooting Guide
E
rror Messages
When you run a test group or subtest in the diagnostics,
error messages may result. These particular error mes-
sages are not covered in this chapter because the errors
that generate these messages can be resolved only with
Dell technical assistance. Record the messages on a copy
of the Diagnostics Checklist found in Appendix A, and
see Chapter 11, “Getting Help,” for instructions on
obtaining technical assistance and informing the support
technician of these messages.
R
AM Test Group
The RAM Test Group subtests check all the directly
addressable RAM.
Subtests
The following subtests are available for RAM:
•
Quick Memory Test
The Quick Memory Test performs an address check
to determine whether the computer is properly set-
ting and clearing individual bits in RAM and
whether the RAM read and write operations are
affecting more than one memory address location at
one time. This subtest checks all available RAM.
•
Comprehensive Memory Test
The Comprehensive Memory Test performs an
address check, as well as the following:
— Data pattern checks, to look for RAM bits that
are stuck high or low, short-circuited data lines,
and some data pattern problems that are internal
to the memory chips
— A parity check that verifies the ability of the
memory subsystem to detect errors
— A refresh check, to verify that the dynamic
RAM (DRAM) is being recharged properly
•
Cache Controller Test
Confirms the functionality of the computer’s cache
controller chip.
•
Cache RAM Test
Confirms the functionality of the computer’s cache
memory.
Why Run a RAM Test?
Faulty memory can cause a variety of problems that may
not, at first glance, appear to be happening in RAM. If the
computer is displaying one or more of the following
symptoms, run the subtests in the RAM Test Group to
verify that the memory is not at fault:
•
A program is not running as usual, or a proven piece
of software appears to malfunction and you
confirm that the software itself is not at fault. You
can confirm that the software is functioning properly
by moving it to another computer and running it
there.
•
The computer periodically locks up (becomes un-
usable and must be rebooted), especially at different
places and times in different programs.
•
You get parity errors (any error message that con-
tains the word parity) at any time during operation.
These errors are usually accompanied by a reference
to an address—the location of the portion of memory
where the error occurred—which you should record
on a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist found in
Appendix A.
•
You receive the
Memory ECC fault
detected
message from the Dell Hardware Instru-
mentation Package (HIP) server management
program. See “Alert Log Messages From the Dell
HIP Program” in Chapter 3, “Messages and Codes,”
for more information on this message. See the Dell
HIP User’s Guide for information on the program.
S
ystem Set Test Group
The subtests in the System Set Test Group check the
computer’s basic system board components and verify
their related functions.