Filter
Top Products
Chapter 6. Solving problems 75
POST
When you turn on the server, it performs a series of tests to check the operation of
server components and some of the options installed in the server. This series of tests
is called the power-on self-test, or POST.
If POST finishes without detecting any problems, a single beep sounds, and the first
window of your operating system or application program appears.
If POST detects a problem, more than one beep sounds, and an error message appears
on your screen. See “POST beep code descriptions” and “POST error messages” on
page 79 for more information.
Notes:
1. If you have a power-on password set, you must type the password and press
Enter, when prompted, before POST will continue.
2. A single problem might cause several error messages. When this occurs, work to
correct the cause of the first error message. After you correct the cause of the first
error message, the other error messages usually will not occur the next time you
run the test.
POST beep code descriptions
Beep codes are sounded in a series of beeps. For example, a 1-2-4 beep code sounds
like one beep, a pause, two consecutive beeps, another pause, and four more
consecutive beeps.
The possible types of beep codes that your server might emit include the following:
No beeps If no beep occurs after your server completes POST, call for service.
Continuous beep
Your startup (boot) microprocessor has failed, or your system board or
speaker subsystem might contain a failing component. If the system
continues through POST with no errors, call for service. If no video appears,
the startup microprocessor has failed; replace the startup microprocessor.
One short beep
One beep indicates that your server successfully completed POST. POST
detected no configuration or functional errors. One beep also occurs after
your server completes POST, if you type an incorrect power-on password.
Two short beeps
POST encountered an error. The Configuration/Setup Utility program will
display additional information; follow the instructions that appear on the
screen. See “POST error messages” on page 79 for descriptions of the text
messages that might appear.
Three short beeps
A system-memory error has occurred. This combination occurs only if the
video basic input/output system (BIOS) cannot display the error message.
Replace the failing memory module.