Chapter 3. Diagnostics; Diagnostic Tools - IBM System x3550 M3 Type 4254 Problem Determination And Service Manual

Chapter 3. Diagnostics

This chapter describes the diagnostic tools that are available to help you solve
problems that might occur in the server.
If you cannot locate and correct a problem by using the information in this chapter,
see Appendix A, "Getting help and technical assistance," on page 281 for more
information.

Diagnostic tools

The following tools are available to help you diagnose and solve hardware-related
problems:
v Troubleshooting tables
v Light path diagnostics
v Dynamic System Analysis (DSA) Preboot diagnostic programs
v IBM Electronic Service Agent
© Copyright IBM Corp. 2010
These tables list problem symptoms and actions to correct the problems. See
"Troubleshooting tables" on page 84 for more information.
Use light path diagnostics to diagnose system errors quickly. See "Light path
diagnostics" on page 101 for more information.
The DSA Preboot diagnostic programs provide problem isolation, configuration
analysis, and error log collection. The diagnostic programs are the primary
method of testing the major components of the server and are stored in
integrated USB memory. The diagnostic programs collect the following
information about the server:
– System configuration
– Network interfaces and settings
– Installed hardware
– Light path diagnostics status
– Service processor status and configuration
– Vital product data, firmware, and UEFI configuration
– Hard disk drive health
– RAID controller configuration
– Controller and service processor event logs, including the following
information:
- System error logs
- Temperature, voltage, and fan speed information
- Self-monitoring Analysis, and Reporting Technology (SMART) data
- Machine check registers
- USB information
- Monitor configuration information
- PCI slot information
The diagnostic programs create a merged log that includes events from all
collected logs. The information is collected into a file that you can send to IBM
service and support. Additionally, you can view the server information locally
through a generated text report file. You can also copy the log to removable
media and view the log from a Web browser. See "Running the diagnostic
programs" on page 116 for more information.
IBM Electronic Service Agent is a software tool that monitors the server for
hardware error events and automatically submits electronic service requests to
IBM service and support. In addition, it can collect and transmit system
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