IBM 8671 - Eserver xSeries 235, Maintenance And Troubleshooting Manual

Page: 41 / 222

Diagnostic tools overview
The following tools are available to help you identify and resolve 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 “POST error logs”
for more information.
v Error log
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 35 for more information.
v
ServerGuide error symptoms
ServerGuide error symptoms are explained at “ServerGuide error symptoms” on
page 32.
v SCSI error messages
For information on SCSI errors, see “Small computer system interface messages”
on page 33 and “SCSI error codes” on page 153.
v Diagnostic programs and error messages
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 33 for more information.
v
Light path diagnostics
Your server has light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to help you identify problems with
server components. These LEDs are part of the light path diagnostics that are
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 38 for
more information.
v
Error symptom charts
These charts list problem symptoms, along with suggested steps to correct the
problems. See the “Error symptoms” on page 139 for more information.
v
Support
You can find service information for your IBM products, including supported
options, at http://www.ibm.com/pc/support.
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 129 and “POST error
codes” on page 147 for more information.
Chapter 3. Diagnostics
31