Drive and Diskette Compatibility Matrix, How to Use Error Messages

Attention: A customized setup configuration (other than default settings) may exist on the computer you are servicing. Running Automatic Configuration may alter those settings. Note the current configuration settings (using the View Configuration option) and verify that the settings are in place when service is complete.

Hard Disk Drive Replacement Strategy

Always try to run a low-level format before replacing a hard disk drive.

Attention: The drive startup sequence in the computer you are servicing might have been changed. Be extremely careful during write operations such as copying, saving, or formatting. Data or programs can be over-written if you select an incorrect drive.

How to Use Error Messages

Use the error codes displayed on the screen to diagnose failures. If more than one error code is displayed, begin the diagnosis with the first error code. The cause of the first error code can result in false error codes being displayed. If no error code is displayed, see if the error symptom is listed in the Symptom-to-FRU Index for the computer you are servicing.

How to Read POST Error Messages

POST error messages are displayed on the screen as three, four, five, or eight digits. The error messages that can be displayed as shorter POST messages are highlighted in this index. Some digits will represent different information for SCSI errors versus non-SCSI errors.

All SCSI devices are set to a different SCSI ID. Duplicate SCSI ID settings can generate a false error message. Use the SCSI ID to determine whether the error message is coming from an internal or an external device.