Solving Undetermined Problems - IBM System x3800 Problem Determination And Service Manual

v Make sure that the correct device drivers are installed and that they are at the
v Make sure that the Ethernet cable is installed correctly.
v Determine whether the hub supports auto-negotiation. If it does not, try
v Check the Ethernet controller LEDs on the rear panel of the server. These LEDs
v Check the LAN activity LED on the rear of the server. The LAN activity LED is lit
v Check for operating-system-specific causes of the problem.
v Make sure that the device drivers on the client and server are using the same
If the Ethernet controller still cannot connect to the network but the hardware
appears to be working, the network administrator must investigate other possible
causes of the error.

Solving undetermined problems

If the diagnostic tests did not diagnose the failure or if the server is inoperative, use
the information in this section.
If you suspect that a software problem is causing failures (continuous or
intermittent), see "Software problems" on page 49.
Damaged data in CMOS memory or damaged BIOS code can cause undetermined
problems. To reset the CMOS data, use the password override jumper to override
the power-on password and clear the CMOS memory; see "I/O board internal
connectors and jumpers" on page 8. If you suspect that the BIOS code is damaged,
see "Recovering from a BIOS update failure" on page 78.
Damaged memory card connector pins or improperly installed memory cards can
prevent the server from starting or might cause a POST checkpoint halt. For
example, a memory card that is not completely installed or has bent connector pins
might cause the server to continually restart or display an F2 checkpoint halt.
Remove and inspect all memory card connector pins for bent or damaged interface
pins. Replace all memory cards that have damaged pins and ensure that the card is
completely latched into place.
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IBM System x3800 Type 8866: Problem Determination and Service Guide
latest level.
– The cable must be securely attached at all connections. If the cable is
attached but the problem remains, try a different cable.
– If you set the Ethernet controller to operate at 100 Mbps, you must use
Category 5 cabling.
– If you directly connect two servers (without a hub), or if you are not using a
hub with X ports, use a crossover cable. To determine whether a hub has an
X port, check the port label. If the label contains an X, the hub has an X port.
configuring the integrated Ethernet controller manually to match the speed and
duplex mode of the hub.
indicate whether there is a problem with the connector, cable, or hub.
– The Ethernet link status LED is lit when the Ethernet controller receives a link
pulse from the hub. If the LED is off, there might be a defective connector or
cable or a problem with the hub.
– The Ethernet transmit/receive activity LED is lit when the Ethernet controller
sends or receives data over the Ethernet network. If the Ethernet
transmit/receive activity light is off, make sure that the hub and network are
operating and that the correct device drivers are installed.
when data is active on the Ethernet network. If the LAN activity LED is off, make
sure that the hub and network are operating and that the correct device drivers
are installed.
protocol.