Problem Determination Tips - Lenovo System x3500 M4 Installation And Service Manual

• Hard disk drives.
Note: The minimum configuration required for the server to start is one microprocessor and one 2
GB DIMM.
Step 4. Turn on the server. If the problem remains, suspect the following components in the following order:
1. Power supply
2. Memory
3. Microprocessor
4. System board
If the problem is solved when you remove an adapter from the server but the problem recurs when you
reinstall the same adapter, suspect the adapter; if the problem recurs when you replace the adapter with
a different one, suspect the riser card.
If you suspect a networking problem and the server passes all the system tests, suspect a network cabling
problem that is external to the server.

Problem determination tips

Because of the variety of hardware and software combinations that can encounter, use the following
information to assist you in problem determination. If possible, have this information available when
requesting assistance from Lenovo.
• Machine type and model
• Microprocessor or hard disk drive upgrades
• Failure symptom
– Does the server fail the diagnostic tests?
– What occurs? When? Where?
– Does the failure occur on a single server or on multiple servers?
– Is the failure repeatable?
– Has this configuration ever worked?
– What changes, if any, were made before the configuration failed?
– Is this the original reported failure?
• Diagnostic program type and version level
• Hardware configuration (print screen of the system summary)
• UEFI firmware level
• IMM firmware level
• Operating system software
You can solve some problems by comparing the configuration and software setups between working and
nonworking servers. When you compare servers to each other for diagnostic purposes, consider them
identical only if all the following factors are exactly the same in all the servers:
• Machine type and model
• UEFI firmware level
• IMM firmware level
• Adapters and attachments, in the same locations
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System x3500 M4 Installation and Service Guide