Boot Problems - IBM pSeries 690 Service Manual

Boot Problems

Attention: If the system is running partitions from partition standby (LPAR), the following procedure
addresses the problem in which one partition will not boot while other partitions boot successfully and run
the operating system successfully.
This procedure also addresses the problem in which a system does not boot to a full system partition. All
of the system's resources are available to the diagnostics; the same general procedure applies, with the
exception of moving resources between partitions.
Attention: It is the customer's responsibility to move devices between partitions. If a device must be
moved to another partition to run standalone diagnostics, contact the customer or system administrator. (If
the CD-ROM must be moved to another partition, all SCSI devices connected to that SCSI adapter must
be moved because moves are done at the slot level, not at the device level.) Both partitions must be
rebooted if a device is moved between partitions.
Depending on the boot device, a checkpoint may be displayed on the operator panel for an extended
period of time while the boot image is retrieved from the device. This is particularly true for tape and
network boot attempts. If the checkpoint/code is displayed for an extended time, there may be a problem
loading the boot image from the device. If booting from CD-ROM or tape, watch for activity on the drive's
LED indicator. A blinking LED indicates that the loading of either the boot image, or additional information
required by the operating system being booted, is still being loaded.
For network boot attempts, refer to checkpoint E174.
If the checkpoint is displayed for an extended time, there may be a problem with the integrity of the boot
image.
This procedure assumes that a CD-ROM drive is connected to the system, or that the diagnostics can be
run from a NIM (Network Installation Management) server.
1. Look at the service action event-error log in the Service Focal Point on the HMC (see "Service Focal
Point" on page 4 for instructions on accessing the service action event log). If there are open entries
that affect devices in the boot path of the partition, perform the actions to correct those errors. If there
are open entries that indicate problems with I/O cabling, perform the actions to correct those problems.
Try to reboot the partition.
If the partition hangs with a 4-character checkpoint in the display, the partition must be deactivated,
then reactivated before attempting to reboot.
If a 20EE xxxx error code is reported, the partition is already deactivated and in the error state. Reboot
by activating the partition. If the system is running in full system partition, the power must be cycled
before the system can be rebooted. If the reboot is still not successful, continue to step 2.
2. Boot to the SMS main menu as follows:
v If you are rebooting a partition from partition standby (LPAR), go to the properties of the partition
and select Boot to SMS, then activate the partition.
v If you are rebooting the system in full system partition, start the service processor menus, select
option 2, System Power Control Menu, then select option 7, Boot Mode Menu, then select option
1, Boot to SMS menu. Enter 98 to return to the system power control menu, then select option 4,
Power-on System. Enter y to confirm.
At the SMS main menu, select Multiboot.
a. Check to see if the intended boot device is correctly specified in the boot list. If it is in the boot list:
1) Remove all removable media from devices in the boot list from which you do not want to boot.
2) If attempting to boot from a network, go to step 3 on page 412.
If attempting to boot from a disk drive or CD-ROM, go to step 4 on page 412.
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Chapter 4. Checkpoints