Chapter 3. Diagnostics; Diagnostic Tools Overview; Post; Post Beep Code Descriptions - IBM xSeries 300 Hardware Maintenance Manual

Chapter 3. 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 Chapter 7, "Symptom-to-FRU index" on page 63 for more information.

Diagnostic tools overview

The following tools are available to help you identify and resolve hardware-related
problems:
v POST beep codes
v Diagnostic programs and error messages

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, the first window of the operating
system or application program appears.
Note:

POST beep code descriptions

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 indicates that POST detected a problem. For more

POST error messages

The possible types of beep codes that your system might emit are:
© Copyright IBM Corp. 2000
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.
The server diagnostic programs are provided on the IBM Enhanced Diagnostics
CD. These programs test the major components of the server. See "Diagnostic
programs and error messages" on page 12 for more information.
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.
information, see "Beep symptoms" on page 63".
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