Codes and Error Messages
4-2
Troubleshooting
Codes and Error Messages
Each time you turn on the server, the BIOS Power-On Self-Test (POST) checks the system board(s),
processors, ECC memory module, keyboard, and most installed peripheral devices. Error conditions,
failures, and other problem messages are indicated by the following methods:
•
Logging of critical events
•
POST terminal error beep codes
•
POST error codes and messages
Logging of Critical Events
Critical events are events that result in the system being shut down to prevent catastrophic side effects
from affecting other parts of the system. Event logging is a BIOS feature that logs critical and
informational events to nonvolatile flash memory.
You can use the BIOS Event Log utility provided in the Diagnostic Partition and on the Platform CD-
ROM to view the event log.
For more information on this feature, refer to Chapter 1, “Overview,” in the DIGITAL Server 9100 Series
System Software Guide.
POST Terminal Error Beep Codes
At system power-on, before the video adapter has been initialized, beep codes are used to inform you of
errors. A terminal error is one which prevents the POST process from continuing. POST error codes are
logged in nonvolatile flash memory and displayed on the console monitor and in the event log. If POST
can display a message on the video display screen, it causes the speaker to beep twice as the message
displays.
The table below describes the error condition associated with each beep code.
Beep
Count
Error Condition
1
Refresh failure
2
Parity cannot be reset
3
First 4 MB memory failure
4
Timer not operational
5
Processor failure
6
Keyboard controller gate A20 is off (v_mode)
7
Exception interrupt error
8
Display memory R/W error
9
ROM checksum error
10
Shutdown register R/W error