IBM 8682 Diagnostics, Diagnostic tools overview, Post, v Diagnostic programs and error messages

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:

vPOST 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.

vDiagnostic 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.

vLight 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.

vError 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.

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