Diagnostics; Diagnostic Tools Overview; Post Error Log; Post Beep Codes - IBM IntelliStation M Pro Hardware Maintenance Manual

Diagnostics

This section provides basic troubleshooting information to help you resolve some
problems that might occur.

Diagnostic tools overview

The following tools are available to help you diagnose and solve hardware-related
problems:
v POST beep codes and error messages
v Diagnostic programs
v Error charts

POST error log

When you turn on the computer, the power on self-test (POST) performs a series of
tests to check the operation of system components and some of the installed
options.
If POST finishes without detecting any problems, the first window of the operating
system opens or an application program starts.
If POST detects a problem, more than one beep or no beep might sound, and an
error message appears on the screen.
The POST error log contains the three most recent error codes and messages that
the system generated during POST.
Notes:
1.
2.

POST beep codes

POST generates beep codes to indicate successful completion or the detection of a
problem.
v One short beep indicates the successful completion of POST.
v More than one beep or no beep indicates that POST detected a problem. For
© Copyright IBM Corp. 2004
The power-on self-test generates beep codes and messages to indicate
successful test completion or the detection of a problem. See "POST error log"
for more information.
The system diagnostic programs are on a hidden partition on the hard disk.
These programs are the primary methods of testing the major components of the
computer. See "Diagnostic programs and error messages" on page 18 for more
information.
These charts list problem symptoms and steps to correct the problem. See "Error
symptoms" on page 20 for more information.
If you have a user password set, you must type the password and press Enter,
when prompted, before the operating system will start.
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 be resolved the
next time you run the test.
more information, see "Beep symptoms" on page 99.
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