Chapter 3. Diagnostics; General Checkout - IBM 84875MU User Manual

Chapter 3. Diagnostics

This chapter provides basic troubleshooting information to help solve some common
problems that might occur with 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 105 for more
information.

General checkout

Follow the checkout procedure for diagnosing hardware problems. Review the
following information before performing the checkout procedure:
v Read the safety information beginning at "Safety information" on page 107.
v The diagnostic programs are on the IBM Enhanced Diagnostics CD. These
v When you run the diagnostic programs, a single problem might cause several
v Before running the diagnostic programs, you must determine whether the failing
v Important:
© Copyright IBM Corp. 2004, 2007
programs are the primary method of testing the major components of the server:
the system board, Ethernet controller, video controller, RAM, keyboard, mouse
(pointing device), serial ports, hard disk drives, and parallel port. You can also
use them to test some external devices. If you are not sure whether a problem is
caused by the hardware or by the software, you can use the diagnostic programs
to confirm that the hardware is working correctly.
error messages. If you receive several error messages, correct the cause of the
first error message. The other error messages might not occur the next time you
run the diagnostic programs.
server is part of a shared hard disk drive cluster (two or more servers sharing
external storage devices). If you suspect that it is part of a cluster, you can run
all diagnostic programs except the ones that test the storage unit (that is, a hard
disk drive in the storage unit) or the storage adapter that is attached to the
storage unit. The failing server might be part of a cluster if any of the following
conditions is true:
– The customer identifies the failing server as part of a cluster.
– One or more external storage units are attached to the failing server and at
least one of the attached storage units is also attached to another server or
unidentifiable device.
– One or more servers are located near the failing server.
1. For servers that are part of a shared hard disk drive cluster, run one test at a
time. Do not run any suite of tests, such as "quick" or "normal" tests, because
this could enable the hard disk drive diagnostic tests.
2. If more than one error code is displayed, correct the first error. The other
error codes might not occur the next time you run the diagnostic programs.
3. If the server is suspended and a POST error code is displayed, see "POST
error codes" on page 80.
4. If the server is suspended and no error message is displayed, see "Error
symptoms" on page 86 and "Undetermined problems" on page 97.
5. For information about power-supply problems, see "Power checkout" on page
22.
6. For intermittent problems, check the error log; see "Diagnostic programs and
error messages" on page 16.
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