Chapter 2. Diagnostics; Diagnostic Tools; Post; Post Beep Codes - IBM System x3650 Type 7979 Problem Determination And Service Manual

Chapter 2. 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 the problem using the information in this chapter,
see Appendix A, "Getting help and technical assistance," on page 163 for more
information.

Diagnostic tools

The following tools are available to help you diagnose and solve hardware-related
problems:
v POST beep codes, error messages, and error logs
v Troubleshooting tables
v Light path diagnostics
v Diagnostic programs, messages, and error codes

POST

When you turn on the server, it performs a series of tests to check the operation of
the server components and some optional devices in the server. This series of tests
is called the power-on self-test, or POST.
If a power-on password is set, you must type the password and press Enter, when
prompted, for POST to run.
If POST is completed without detecting any problems, a single beep sounds, and
the server startup is completed.
If POST detects a problem, more than one beep might sound, or an error message
is displayed. See "POST beep codes" and "POST error codes" on page 28 for more
information.

POST beep codes

A beep code is a combination of short or long beeps or series of short beeps that
are separated by pauses. For example, a "1-2-3" beep code is one short beep, a
pause, two short beeps, a pause, and three short beeps. A beep code other than
one beep indicates that POST has detected a problem. To determine the meaning
of a beep code, see "Beep code descriptions" on page 18. If no beep code sounds,
see "No-beep symptoms" on page 24.
© Copyright IBM Corp. 2006
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.
These tables list problem symptoms and actions to correct the problems. See
"Troubleshooting tables" on page 36.
Use the light path diagnostics to diagnose system errors quickly. See "Light path
diagnostics" on page 49 for more information.
The diagnostic programs are the primary method of testing the major
components of the server. The diagnostic programs are in read-only memory on
the server. See "Diagnostic programs, messages, and error codes" on page 54
for more information.
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