Diagnostics; Diagnostic Tools Overview; Post - IBM 6000R - Netfinity - 8682 Hardware Maintenance Manual

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 infor-
mation in this section, refer to "Symptom-to-FRU index" on
page 153 for more information.

Diagnostic tools overview

The following tools are available to help you identify and
resolve hardware-related problems:
• POST 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 infor-
mation.
• Diagnostic programs and error messages
The server diagnostic programs are stored in upgrad-
able read-only memory (ROM) on the system board.
These programs are the primary method of testing the
major components of the server. See "Diagnostic pro-
grams and error messages" on page 16 for more infor-
mation.
• Light 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 18 for more infor-
mation.
• Error symptoms
These charts list problem symptoms, along with sug-
gested steps to correct the problems. See "Diagnosing
errors" on page 27 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 14 and "POST error messages" on page 14
for more information.
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