IBM THINKCENTER 8128, Hardware Maintenance Manual

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Chapter 3. General Checkout
Note: The fans in this system may turn off under normal operation. This is a
noise-level reduction feature, and should not be taken to mean there is
something wrong with the system.
The following tools are available to help identify and resolve hardware-related
problems.
v
IBM Setup Utility program
v
Power-On Self-Test (POST)
– POST Beep Codes
– Error Code Format
v
IBM Enhanced Diagnostics program
v
Product recovery utility
– Factory Contents
– Partial recovery
v Repair utility
Attention:
The drives in the computer you are servicing might have been rearranged or the drive
startup sequence changed. Be extremely careful during write operations such as copying,
saving or formatting. Data or programs can be overwritten if you select an incorrect drive.
Diagnostic error messages appear when a test program finds a problem with a
hardware option. For the test programs to properly determine if a test Passed , Failed
or Aborted , the test programs check the error-return code at test completion. See
Chapter 4, “IBM Enhanced Diagnostics,” on page 15.
General error messages appear if a problem or conflict is found by an application
program, the operating system, or both. For an explanation of these messages, refer
to the information supplied with that software package.
Notes:
v
By default, the computer starts up quiet (no beep and no memory count and checkpoint
code display) when no errors are detected by POST.
v
To enable beep and memory count and checkpoint code display when a successful POST
occurs, do the following:
1. Select Start Options in the IBM Setup Utility program (see Chapter 5, “IBM Setup
Utility program,” on page 19).
2. Set Power-On Self-Test to Enhanced .
v
Before replacing any FRUs, ensure that the latest level of BIOS is installed on the system.
A down-level BIOS might cause false errors and unnecessary replacement of the system
board. For more information on how to determine and obtain the latest level BIOS, see
“BIOS levels” on page 112..
v If multiple error codes are displayed, diagnose the first error code displayed.
© Copyright IBM Corp. 2005
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