IBM BladeCenter S, Installation And User Manual

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Appendix A. Getting help and technical assistance
If you need help, service, or technical assistance or just want more information
about IBM products, you will find a wide variety of sources available from IBM to
assist you.
Use this information to obtain additional information about IBM and IBM
products, determine what to do if you experience a problem with your IBM system
or optional device, and determine whom to call for service, if it is necessary.
Before you call
Before you call, make sure that you have taken these steps to try to solve the
problem yourself.
If you believe that you require IBM to perform warranty service on your IBM
product, the IBM service technicians will be able to assist you more efficiently if
you prepare before you call.
v
Check all cables to make sure that they are connected.
v Check the power switches to make sure that the system and any optional
devices are turned on.
v
Check for updated software, firmware, and operating-system device drivers for
your IBM product. The IBM Warranty terms and conditions state that you, the
owner of the IBM product, are responsible for maintaining and updating all
software and firmware for the product (unless it is covered by an additional
maintenance contract). Your IBM service technician will request that you
upgrade your software and firmware if the problem has a documented solution
within a software upgrade.
v
If you have installed new hardware or software in your environment, check to
make sure that the hardware and software is supported by your IBM product.
v Go to to check for information to help you solve the problem.
v
Gather the following information to provide to IBM Support. This data will help
IBM Support quickly provide a solution to your problem and ensure that you
receive the level of service for which you might have contracted.
– Hardware and Software Maintenance agreement contract numbers, if
applicable
– Machine type number (IBM 4-digit machine identifier)
– Model number
– Serial number
– Current system UEFI and firmware levels
– Other pertinent information such as error messages and logs
v
Go to to submit an Electronic Service Request. Submitting an Electronic Service
Request will start the process of determining a solution to your problem by
making the pertinent information available to IBM Support quickly and
efficiently. IBM service technicians can start working on your solution as soon as
you have completed and submitted an Electronic Service Request.
You can solve many problems without outside assistance by following the
troubleshooting procedures that IBM provides in the online help or in the
© Copyright IBM Corp. 2007, 2013
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