IBM 6.00E+04, 6C4 Chapter 5. Using the Standalone and Online Diagnostics

Chapter 5. Using the Standalone and Online Diagnostics

The diagnostics consist of standalone diagnostics and online diagnostics. The

standalone diagnostics must be booted before they are run. If booted, they have no

access to the AIX error log or the AIX configuration data.

Online diagnostics, when installed, are resident with AIX on the disk or server.They can

be booted in single user mode (called

), run in maintenance mode (called

), or run concurrently (called

) with other

applications. They have access to the AIX error log and theAIX configuration data.

Attention: If this system unit is attached to another system, be sure you isolate this

system unit before stopping the operating system or running diagnostic programs.

Some system cabling changes (such as installing wrap plugs or removing a device from

the configuration) may require action by the operator of the attached system before

making the cabling changes on this system.

Consider the following before using the diagnostics:

vRun online diagnostics in service mode when possible, unless otherwise directed.

The online diagnostics perform additional functions compared to standalone

diagnostics. The AIX error log and certain SMIT functions are only available when

diagnostics are run from the disk drive.

vWhen running online diagnostics, device support for some devices may not have

been installed. If this is the case, that device does not appear in the resource list.

vWhen running standalone diagnostics, device support for some devices may be

contained on supplemental diagnostic media. If this is the case, the device does not

appear in the resource list when running diagnostics unless the supplemental media

have been processed.

vSupport for some TTY terminals is optionally installed. If you attach a TTY terminal to

a system to run diagnostics, it might not work correctly because the AIX support for

the terminal might not be installed.

When you run standalone diagnostics (and under some conditions online diagnostics),

you must select the console display. The diagnostics display instructions on any

graphics display and the terminal attached to the S1 serial port.

Note: This is a different function from selecting a firmware console display.

When you run diagnostics, you must identify what type of terminal you are using. If the

terminal type is not known when the FUNCTION SELECTION menu is displayed, the

diagnostics do not allow you to continue until a terminal is selected from the DEFINE

TERMINAL option menu. Select lft for adapter-attached displays.