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Tests and Error Messages

This chapter describes the MaxiLife firmware test sequences and error messages, the pre-boot diagnostics error codes, the Power-On Self-Test (POST) routines, which are contained in the computer’s ROM BIOS, the error messages which can result, and the suggestions for corrective action.

MaxiLife Test Sequence and Error Messages

When the PC Workstation is turned on (pressing the ON/OFF button), the system initiates the normal startup sequence which is composed of the following steps:

•Basic pre-boot diagnostics•BIOS launch•POST phase•Operating System boot phase

If any errors are detected during the startup sequence, MaxiLife will not necessarily ‘freeze’ the system. However, some critical hardware errors are fatal to the system and will prevent the system from starting (for example, ‘CPU Socket’ and ‘Power Supply’ are serious malfunctions that will prevent the system from working correctly).

Errors that are not so critical will be detected both during pre-boot diagnostics and POST where the BIOS boot process will return an error code. Some errors are only detected during POST sequence, and produce the same process.

Finally, while the PC Workstation is working, fan and temperature controls can be reported (for example, a fan error will be reported if a fan cable is not connected). This type of error disappears as soon as the problem is fixed (for example, the fan cable has been reconnected).

The different diagnostics are described below.

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