Chapter 5. Diagnostics; Diagnostic Tools; Post; Post Beep Codes - IBM System x3250 4364 Problem Determination And Service Manual

Chapter 5. Diagnostics

This chapter describes the diagnostic tools that are available to help you solve
problems that might occur in the server.
If you cannot diagnose and correct a problem by using the information in this
chapter, see Appendix A, "Getting help and technical assistance," on page 117 for
more information.

Diagnostic tools

The following tools are available to help you diagnose and solve hardware-related
problems:
v POST beep codes, error messages, and error logs
v Troubleshooting tables
v System-board LEDs
v Diagnostic programs, messages, and error messages

POST

When you turn on the server, it performs a series of tests to check the operation of
the server components and some optional devices in the server. This series of tests
is called the power-on self-test, or POST.
If a power-on password is set, you must type the password and press Enter, when
you are prompted, for POST to run.
The power-on self-test beep codes indicate the detection of a problem.
v One beep indicates successful completion of POST, with no errors.
v More than one beep indicates that POST detected a problem. Error messages

POST beep codes

A beep code is a combination of short or long beeps or series of short beeps that
are separated by pauses. For example, a "1-2-3" beep code is one short beep, a
pause, two short beeps, and pause, and three short beeps. A beep code indicates
that POST has detected a problem.
© Copyright IBM Corp. 2007
The power-on self-test (POST) generates beep codes and messages to indicate
successful test completion or the detection of a problem. See "POST" for more
information.
These tables list problem symptoms and actions to correct the problems. See
"Troubleshooting tables" on page 81.
Use the system-board LEDs to diagnose system errors quickly. See
"System-board LEDs" on page 92 for more information.
The diagnostic programs are the primary method of testing the major
components of the server. The diagnostic programs are on the IBM Enhanced
Diagnostics CD. See "Diagnostic programs, messages, and error codes" on page
94 for more information.
also are displayed during startup if POST detects a hardware-configuration
problem. See "POST beep codes" and "POST error codes" on page 71 for more
information.
67