Chapter 3. Diagnostics; General Checkout - IBM 8649 - Eserver xSeries 225 Maintenance And Troubleshooting Manual

Chapter 3. Diagnostics

This section provides basic troubleshooting information to help you resolve some
common problems that might occur with your server.
If you cannot locate and correct the problem using the information in this section,
see Appendix A, "Getting help and technical assistance," on page 127 for more
information.

General checkout

The server diagnostic programs are stored on the IBM Enhanced Diagnostics CD.
These programs provide the primary methods of testing the major components of
the server.
If you cannot determine whether a problem is caused by the hardware or by the
software, you can run the diagnostic programs to confirm that the hardware is
working properly.
When you run the diagnostic programs, a single problem might cause several error
messages. When this occurs, work to correct the cause of the first error message.
After the cause of the first error message is corrected, the other error messages
might not occur the next time you run the test.
A failed server might be part of a shared hard disk drive cluster (two or more
servers sharing one or more external storage devices). Before you run diagnostics,
verify that the failing server is not part of a shared hard disk drive cluster.
A server might be part of a cluster if:
v The server is identified as part of a cluster.
v One or more external storage units are attached to the server and at least one of
v One or more servers are located near the failing server.
If the failing server is suspected to be part of a shared hard disk drive cluster, you
can run all diagnostic tests except the diagnostic tests that test the storage unit
(hard disk drive residing in the storage unit) or the storage adapter attached to the
storage unit.
Notes:
1. For servers that are part of a shared hard disk drive cluster, run one test at a
2. If multiple error codes are displayed, diagnose the first error code that is
3. If the server stops with a POST error, go to "POST error codes" on page 110.
4. If the server stops and no error is displayed, go to "Undetermined problems" on
5. For power supply problems, see "Power checkout" on page 29
6. For safety information, see "Safety information" on page 129.
7. For intermittent problems, check the error log.
© Copyright IBM Corp. 2004
the attached storage units is also attached to another server or unidentifiable
source.
time. Do not run any suite of testes, such as "quick" or "normal" tests, because
this could enable the hard disk drive diagnostic tests.
displayed.
page 118.
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