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Diagnostics
This section provides basic troubleshooting information to help you resolve some
common problems that might occur with the server.
If you cannot locate and correct the problem using the information in this section,
refer to “Symptom-to-FRU index” on page 97 for more information.
Diagnostic tools overview
The following tools are available to help you identify and resolve hardware-related
problems:
v POST beep codes, error messages, and error logs
The power-on self-test (POST) generates beep codes and messages to indicate
successful test completion or the detection of a problem. See “POST” for more
information.
v Diagnostic programs and error messages
The server diagnostic programs are stored in upgradable read-only memory
(ROM) on the system board. These programs are the primary method of testing
the major components of the server. See “Diagnostic programs and error
messages” on page 13 for more information.
v Light Path Diagnostics
The server has light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to help you identify problems with
server components. These LEDs are part of the light-path diagnostics that are
built into the server. By following the path of lights, you can quickly identify the
type of system error that occurred. See “Light path diagnostics” on page 16 for
more information.
v Error symptoms
These charts list problem symptoms, along with suggested steps to correct the
problems. See “Diagnosing errors” on page 23 for more information.
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, the first
screen of the operating system or application program appears.
If POST detects a problem, more than one beep sounds and an error message
appears on the screen. See “POST beep codes” on page 12 and “POST error
messages” on page 12 for more information.
Notes:
1. If you have a power-on password or administrator 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.
© Copyright IBM Corp. 2000 11