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Product Information

Document ID: DDSE-42TLGZ

Netfinity 5500 - Diagnostics

Applicable to: World-Wide

Diagnostic Tools
The following tools are available to help identify and resolve hardware-related problems:

Diagnostic Programs
The server diagnostic programs are stored in upgradable read-only memory (ROM) on the system board. These
programs are the primary method of testing the major components of your server: the system board, Ethernet
controller, video controller, RAM, keyboard, mouse (pointing device), diskette drive, serial port, and parallel port. You can also use them to test some external devices.

Also, if you cannot determine whether a problem is caused by the hardware or by the software, you can run the diagnostic programs to confirm that the hardware is working properly.

Note: When you run the diagnostic programs, a single problem might cause several error messages. When this
occurs, work to correct the cause of the first error message. After the cause of the first error message is corrected, the other error messages might not occur the next time you run the test.

Power-on Self Test (POST)
When you turn on the server, it performs a series of tests to check the operation of server components and some of
the options installed in the server. This series of tests is called the power-on self-test or POST. POST does the following:
- Checks the operation of some basic system-board operations
- Checks the memory
- Compares the current server configuration with the stored server configuration information
- Configures PCI adapters
- Starts the video operation
- Verifies that drives (such as the diskette, CD-ROM, and hard disk drives) are connected properly

If you have a power-on password or administrator password set, you must type the password and press Enter, when prompted, before POST will continue.

While the memory is being tested, the amount of available memory appears on the screen. These numbers advance as the server progresses through POST and the final number that appears on the screen represents the total amount of memory available. If POST finishes without detecting any problems, a single beep sounds, the first screen of your operating system or application program appears, and the System POST Complete (OK) light is
illuminated on the information LED panel.

If POST detects a problem, more than one beep sounds and an error message appears on your screen.

Note: A single problem might cause several error messages. When this occurs, work to correct the cause of the first error message. After the cause of the first error message is corrected, the other error messages usually will not occur the next time you run the test.

For a complete list of error codes, see "Symptom-to-FRU".

POST Beep Codes
POST generates beep codes to indicate successful completion or the detection of a problem.

- One beep indicates the successful completion of POST.
- For a complete list of error codes, see "Symptom-to-FRU".

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 trained service personnel.

Hardware error messages that occur can be text, numeric, or both. Messages generated by your software generally
are text messages, but they also can be numeric.

POST Error Messages: POST error messages occur during startup when POST finds a problem with the hardware or detects a change in the hardware configuration. For more information, see "Symptom-to-FRU Index".

Diagnostic Error Messages: Diagnostic error messages occur when a test finds a problem with the server hardware. These error messages are alphanumeric and they are saved in the Test Log. For more information, see "Error Symptoms".

Software-Generated Error Messages: These messages occur if a problem or conflict is found by an application program, the operating system, or both. Messages are generally text messages, but they also can be numeric. For information about these error messages, refer to the documentation that comes with your software.

System Error Log: The system error log contains all error and warning messages issued during POST and all system status messages from the system management processor. See "System Error Log" for information about how to view the system error log.

Option Diskettes: An optional device or adapter can come with an Option Diskette. Option Diskettes usually contain option-specific diagnostic test programs or configuration files. If your optional device or adapter comes with an Option Diskette, follow the instructions that come with the option. Different instructions apply depending on whether the Option Diskette is startable or not.

Diagnostic Programs
Use the following information to run the diagnostic programs. These programs are designed to test the IBM Netfinity 5500. If you want to test a non-IBM product, refer to the information that comes with that product.

Note When you run the diagnostic programs, a single problem might cause several error messages. When this occurs, work to correct the cause of the first error message. After the cause of the first error message is corrected, the other error messages usually will not occur the next time you run the test.

Running Diagnostic Programs: While you are running the diagnostic programs, F1 displays Help information. Pressing F1 from within a help screen provides a help index from which you can select different categories. Pressing Esc exits Help and returns to where you left off.

Notes 1. To run the diagnostic programs, you must start the server with the highest level password. That is, if you enter the power-on password and an administrator password is set, you cannot run the programs. You can only view the error messages in the Test Log. You must enter the administrator password to run the diagnostic programs. 2. If the server stops during testing and you cannot continue, restart the server and try running the diagnostic programs again. If the problem persists, have the system serviced. 3. If the diagnostic tests do not find a problem but the problem persists during normal operations, see "Symptom-to-FRU Index" and look for the problem symptom. 4. You might have to install a wrap connector on your active parallel or serial port to obtain accurate test results for these ports. 5. You might need a scratch diskette to obtain accurate test results when testing the diskette drive. 6. The keyboard and mouse (pointing device) tests assume that a keyboard and mouse are attached to the server.

To start the diagnostic programs:
1. Turn on the server and watch the screen. If the server is turned on already, shut down your operating system and restart the server.
2. When the message F2 for Diagnostics appears, press F2. If a power-on password or administrator password is set, the server prompts you for it. Type in the appropriate password; then, press Enter.
3. The Diagnostic Programs screen appears.
4. Select either Extended or Basic from the top of the screen.
5. Select the test you want to run from the list that appears; then, follow the instructions on the screen. When the tests have completed, you can view the Test Log by selecting Utility from the top of the screen.

Also, you can view server configuration information (such as system configuration, memory contents, interrupt request (IRQ) use, direct memory access (DMA) use, device drivers, and so on) by selecting Hardware Info from the top of the screen. If the hardware checks out OK but the problem persists during normal server operations, a software error might be the cause. If you suspect a software problem, refer to the information that comes with the software package.

Viewing the Test Log: If you are already running the diagnostic programs, continue with step 4 in this procedure.

To view the Test Log:
1. Turn on the server and watch the screen. If the server is turned on already, shut down your operating system and restart the server.
2. When the message F2 for Diagnostics appears, press F2. If a power-on password or administrator password is set, the server prompts you for it. Type in the appropriate password; then, press Enter.
3. The Diagnostic Programs screen appears.
4. Select Utility from the top of the screen.
5. Select View Test Log from the list that appears; then, follow instructions on the screen.

	Search Keywords
	Document Category	Diagnostics
	Date Created	03-12-98
	Last Updated	03-12-98
	Revision Date	03-12-99
	Brand	IBM PC Server
	Product Family	Netfinity 5500
	Machine Type	8660
	Model	ALL
	TypeModel
	Retain Tip (if applicable)
	Reverse Doclinks and Admin Purposes