IBM IntelliStation E Pro, Hardware Maintenance Manual

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Diagnostics
This section provides basic troubleshooting information to help you resolve some
problems that might occur.
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 generates beep codes and messages to indicate
successful test completion or the detection of a problem. See “POST error log”
for more information.
v Diagnostic programs
The system diagnostic programs are stored on the Device Drivers and IBM
Enhanced Diagnostics CD. These programs are the primary methods of testing
the major components of the computer. See “Diagnostic programs and error
messages” on page 22 for more information.
v Error charts
These charts list problem symptoms and steps to correct the problem. See “Error
charts” on page 25 for more information.
POST error log
When you turn on the computer, 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 or application program starts.
If POST detects a problem, more than one beep may sound and an error message
appears on the screen.
The POST error log contains the three most recent error codes and messages that
the system generated during POST.
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 95.
© Copyright IBM Corp. 2002
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