IBM 84875MU, User Manual, Page: 25 / 160

Diagnostic tools overview
The following tools are available to help you diagnose and solve hardware-related
problems:
v
POST beep codes and error messages
The power-on self-test (POST) generates beep codes and messages to indicate
successful test completion or the detection of a problem. See “Power-on self-test”
for more information.
v Diagnostic programs
The diagnostic programs are stored on the IBM Enhanced Diagnostics CD.
These programs are the primary method of testing the major components of the
server. See “Diagnostic programs and error messages” on page 16 for more
information.
v Error charts
These charts list problem symptoms and steps to correct the problem. See “Error
charts” on page 18 for more information.
v
Symptom-to-FRU index
This index lists problem symptoms and steps to correct each problem. See
Chapter 7, “Symptom-to-FRU index,” on page 77 for more information.
Power-on self-test
When you turn on the server, the power on self-test (POST) performs a series of
tests to check the operation of system components and some of the installed
options.
If POST finishes without detecting any problems, the first window of the operating
system opens or an application program appears.
If POST detects a problem, more than one beep might sound, and an error
message appears on the screen.
Notes:
1. If you have a user password set, you must type the password and press Enter,
when prompted, before the operating system will start.
2. A single problem might cause several error messages. When this occurs, work
to correct the cause of the first error message. After you correct the cause of
the first error message, the other error messages usually will be resolved the
next time you run the test.
POST beep codes
POST generates beep codes to indicate successful completion or the detection of a
problem.
v One short beep indicates the successful completion of POST.
v
More than one beep indicates that POST detected a problem. For more
information, see “Beep symptoms” on page 78.
If POST detects a problem (more than one beep sounds), an error message
appears on the screen. See “Beep symptoms” on page 78 and “POST error codes”
on page 80 for more information.
Chapter 3. Diagnostics
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