Diagnostic Tools Overview; Post Error Logs - IBM Xseries 345 8670 Maintenance Manual

Diagnostic tools overview

The following tools are available to help you identify and resolve hardware-related
problems:
v POST beep codes and error messages
v Error log
v ServerGuide error symptoms
v SCSI error messages
v Diagnostic programs and error messages
v Light Path Diagnostics
v Error symptom charts

POST error logs

When you turn on the server, it performs a series of tests to check the operation of
server components and some of the options installed in the server. This series of
tests is called the power-on self-test, or POST.
If POST finishes without detecting any problems, a single beep sounds, and the first
screen of your operating system or application program appears.
If POST detects a problem, more than one beep sounds, and an error message
appears on your screen. See "Beep symptoms" on page 83 and "POST error codes"
Notes:
1. If you have a power-on password or administrator password set, you must type
The power-on self-test (POST) generates beep codes and messages to indicate
successful test completion or the detection of a problem. See "POST error logs"
for more information.
The POST error log contains the three most recent error codes and messages
that the system has generated during POST. The System Error Log contains all
the error messages that were issued during POST.
To view the contents of the error logs, start the Configuration/Setup Utility
program; then, select Error Logs from the main menu. See "Viewing the System
Error log" on page 31 for more information.
ServerGuide error symptoms are explained at "ServerGuide error symptoms" on
page 28.
For information on SCSI errors, see "Small computer system interface messages"
on page 28 and "SCSI error codes" on page 107.
The server diagnostic programs are stored in read-only memory (ROM) on the
system board. These programs are the primary method of testing the major
components of your server. See "Diagnostic programs and error messages" on
page 29 for more information.
Your server has light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to help you identify problems with
server components. These LEDs are part of the Light Path Diagnostics
built into your server. By following the path of LEDs, you can quickly identify the
type of system error that occurred. See "Light Path Diagnostics" on page 32 for
more information.
These charts list problem symptoms, along with suggested steps to correct the
problems. See the "Error symptoms" on page 93 for more information.
on page 101 for more information.
the password and press Enter, when prompted, before POST will continue.
™
that are
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Chapter 3. Diagnostics