IBM PC Server 325, User Handbook Manual

Page: 141 / 288

Diagnostic Tools Overview
The programs on the PC Server Diagnostic Diskette include:
Ÿ Diagnostic Tests
These tests identify most problems associated with the major
components of your system: the system board; RAM; hard disk,
diskette, and CD-ROM drives; serial and parallel ports; the
video adapter; and the keyboard and mouse.
Test options let you batch groups of tests, specify test
parameters (for example, video modes, port addresses, and so
on), specify the number of passes you want to run (one through
continuous), log test results to a file, and save test settings for
future use.
These test programs also allow you to view the server's
configuration information. For example, you can view the
interrupt request (IRQ) and direct memory access (DMA)
assignments, memory usage, device drivers, and so on.
Ÿ Utility Programs
The utility programs include a text editor and a diskette
formatter.
Types of Error Messages
Error messages indicate that a problem exists; they are not intended
to be used to identify a failing part. Troubleshooting and servicing
of complex problems indicated by error messages should be
performed by a trained service technician. Hardware error
messages that appear on the screen can be text, numeric, or both.
Messages generated by your software generally are text messages,
but they also can be numeric. There are four types of error
messages: POST error messages, POST beep codes, diagnostic error
messages, and software-generated messages.
POST Error Messages
POST error messages appear when, during startup, POST finds
problems with the hardware or detects a change in the hardware
configuration. A list of these error messages is given in “POST
Error Message Table” on page 142.
Chapter 4. Solving Problems
127