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Service Hints & Tips

Document ID: GSMH-3EUDJC

PC Server 325 - Diagnostics

Applicable to: World-Wide

Diagnostics:
The following tools are available to help identify and resolve hardware-related problems:
Power-on self-test (POST)
POST Beep Codes
Test programs
Error messages
Diagnostics Diskette

Power-On Self-Test (POST):
Each time you power-on the system, it performs a series of tests that check the operation of the system and some options. This series of tests is called the power-on self-test , or POST.
POST does the following:
Checks some basic system-board operations
Checks the memory operation
Starts the video operation
Verifies that the diskette drives are working
Verifies that the hard disk drive is working

If the POST finishes without detecting any problems, a single beep sounds and the first screen of the operating system or application program appears.

If the POST detects a problem, an error message appears on the screen. A single problem can cause several error messages to appear. When you correct the cause of the first error message, the other error messages probably will not appear on the screen the next time you power-on the system.

POST Beep Codes:
The Power On Self-Test generates a beeping sound to indicate successful completion of POST or to indicate that the tests detect an error.

One beep and the appearance of text on the display indicates successful completion of the POST. More than one beep indicates that the POST detects an error.

Test Programs:
The QAPlus/PRO test programs on the PC Server System Board Diagnostic Diskette , developed by DiagSoft for IBM, are the primary method of testing the PC Server. You can use them to test the IBM components of the system and some external devices. The amount of time required to test all components depends on the number of components. The more optional adapters and devices you have attached to the system, the longer the testing takes.
Diagnostic programs from the QAPlus/PRO Main Menu include the following features.

Feature	Description
Quick Check	Identifies most problems associated with the following major components: System board Hard disk drives Diskette drives CD-ROM drives RAM Serial and parallel ports Video adapter Printer Keyboard Mouse
Module Test	Allows you to: - Run groups of tests in batch - Specify parameters to use for each test (for example, video modes, disk cylinders, port addresses, and so on) - Specify the number of passes you want to run (one to continuous) - Log the test results to a text or dBase Format (DBF) file - Save all test settings for future use - View System Information - View the server's configuration information. (For example, you can view the IRQ/DMA assignments, memory usage, device drivers, and so on.) - Select System Utilities - Format a diskette

Error Messages:
Messages generated by the software¬the operating system or application programs¬generally are text messages, but they also can be numeric. Basically, there are five types of error messages.
POST error messages
Diagnostic error messages
POST beep codes
Software generated messages.
Multiple messages

Error Description	Message
POST Error Messages	Displayed when POST finds problems with the hardware or detects a change in the hardware configuration.
POST Beep Codes	Sounds emitted from the speaker if POST finds a problem. One beep indicates POST completed successfully. Multiple beeps indicate a problem was found by the POST.
Diagnostic Error Messages	Displayed when a test program finds a problem with a hardware option.
Software Generated Error Messages	Displayed 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.
Multiple Messages	The first error that occurs can cause additional errors. Follow the suggested action of the first error displayed. In this case, the system displays more than one error message. Always follow the suggested action instructions for the first error message displayed.

Return Codes:
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.
To register the test properly in the test log, the test programs must generate one of the following return codes:

Return Code	Description
0	Indicates that the device passed its test.
1	Indicated that the device failed its test.
2 or greater	Indicates that the test stopped or was aborted.

Using the Test Programs:
The test programs provide advanced functions and utilities for service or support professionals to troubleshoot even the most difficult problems.

Program Navigation:
You can maneuver within the test programs by typing the first letter of a menu choice, using the function keys, or using command-line options.

Intruder Alert:
When you load QAPlus/PRO diagnostics, Intruder Alert checks for damage to the Diagnostic Diskette. If a virus or program alteration is detected, the diagnostic programs do not load.

To suspend Intruder Alert and continue loading the diagnostic programs, press Esc.

Using the First Letter of a Menu Choice:
Throughout the test programs, pressing the first letter of an option on a menu is the same as moving to that item with the cursor and pressing Enter; however, this function is not enabled on Test Group Screens.

Using the Function Keys:
Use the following keys to maneuver throughout the test programs:

Keys	Action
Enter	Select an item, run the test module, or run the test
Down Arrow	Moves the cursor down
Up Arrow	Moves the cursor up
F1	Calls up the appropriate Help information. Use the up arrow key or the down arrow key to scroll through the information. Pressing F1 from within a Help screen provides a help index from which you can select different categories. One of the important help categories is function key usage. Pressing Esc exits Help and returns to where you left off.
Esc	Go back to the previous menu

Additional functions are available in the Test Module Selection screen and the Test Group screen using the following keys:

Keys	Action
Tab	Move to test group (or move to parameters)
Spacebar	Toggle modules on/off (or toggle tests on/off)
F2	View test results log
F10	Local menu
+	Next logical unit number (for example, LUN 1, LUN 2, and so on)
-	Previous logical unit number

Command Line Options:
The following Command Line Options are available when initially loading the diagnostic program from within its directory of a DOS operating system. Loading QAPlus/PRO from a DOS system command line allows selected tests and options to run with minimum memory.

At a DOS operating system prompt, where the QAPlus/PRO files reside, type QAPLPRO /XXX (where XXX represents one or more of the following from the list below) then, press Enter.

Command	Action
/B&W	The /B&W command line option forces the program to load in Black and White (Monochrome) mode, which is often more readable on laptop computers.
/LOG=file	The /LOG=file command line option directs the test programs to start using a specified Error Log file.
/INT10	The /INT10 command line option forces the test programs to use the BIOS for screen writes.
/OXXX	The /OXXX command line option, where XXX=test group (for example, MBD, MEM, VID, HDU, FDU, KBD, COM, LPT, and so on), omits the designated test group from loading.
/OALL	The /OALL command line option omits all test groups from loading. This command can be used in conjunction with the /IXXX command.
/IXXX	The /IXXX command line option, where XXX=test group (for example, MBD, MEM, VID, HDU, FDU, KBD, COM, LPT, and so on), loads the designated test group for testing. This option is helpful if you have insufficient memory available to load all of the test programs simultaneously.
/USRCONFIG	The /USERCONFIG=file command line option tells the test programs to look for a user diagnostic configuration file other than =file the default USERDIAG.CFG.
/SCRIPT =file[ ,R]	The /SCRIPT=file [,R] command line option with the ",R" runs the selected script. Please see "Scripting" for a description of scripting. Note: You can use a "-" instead of a "/" as the command line switch.

Viewing the Test Groups:
As you move the cursor bar up or down in the Test Module Selection window, the right hand screen changes to show the attributes, parameters, and the selected tests of the corresponding Test Group. The diamond " " mark indicates a module selected for testing.

The indicated attributes are characteristics of the selected test module that are used by the test programs to determine which tests to run or how to run selected tests. Attributes are also used to limit the allowable range of parameters (for example, - ending cylinder).

Parameters are values you select to establish the scope of tests. For example, you can select Extended Memory testing parameters and limit the testing to a specific range of test blocks by specifying the starting and ending memory block. This might be appropriate if prior experience indicates that problems are likely to exist in a specific area of memory. By selecting these limiting parameters, you reduce memory testing time.

Scripting:
Scripting allows you to select specific groups of tests, testing parameters, and options. Your selection is saved for later use as a test Script. To set up a test script, first select all the appropriate test groups and specific tests you want to run from the Module Testing section under Diagnostics. You should also select appropriate testing parameters and options. See "Program Navigation", for instructions to save a test script.

Changing Logical Unit Numbers:
In some instances, you can have more than one logical unit number (LUN) for a particular module. LUNs represent individual devices within a test group or module. For example, you might have two diskette drives or two hard disk drives; or, you might have base and extended memory installed in the computer. This configuration might result in as many as two or three different LUNs in the Memory Test Group.

From either the Module Test Menu or the Test Group window, you can change to a different LUN (where applicable) by pressing the plus (+ ) key (next LUN), or the minus (- ) key (previous LUN).

Test Group Specifications:
In the upper-right-hand portion of the testing screen (or just the upper portion if you switched to an individual test group screen) are the specifications for the related test group.

Starting the QAPlus/PRO Diagnostics Diskette:

Note:
The "PC Server System Board Diagnostic Diskette" contains the QAPlus/PRO diagnostics for the PC Server 325 Type 8639.

1. Insert the QAPlus/PRO Diagnostics Diskette into drive A.
2. Power-on the computer.
3. When the QAPlus/PRO Diagnostics Main Menu is displayed, press Ctrl+A.
4. Select Diagnostics; then, press Enter.
5. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen. If an error is displayed, go to the "Symptom-to-FRU Index".

Module Testing Mode:
If the test programs do not find a problem, or you want to perform in-depth testing, the Module Testing mode provides a method to run individual tests on a single module. For example, you can run an individual test for the diskette drive, or you can run groups of tests for several modules.

In the Module Testing mode, you can define how many times each test should run and how the test program should log the errors.

To start the Module Testing mode:
1. Start the diagnostics diskette. See "Starting the QAPlus/PRO Diagnostics Diskette".
2. Select Diagnostic from the Main Menu.
3. Select Module Tests from the next menu.
4. Use the up and down arrow keys to move the highlight bar from one selection to the next.
5. Follow the instructions on the screen.

Note:
As you scroll down the selection menu, the Test Group window to the right changes to correspond to the highlighted Module.

Running Selected Module Tests:

To run all selected tests for a test group:
1. Use the up and down arrow keys to move the cursor to your selection.
2. Press Enter.

Note:
A " " appears next to your selection.

Running All Selected Modules:

To run all selected test modules:
1. Use the down arrow key to move the cursor to the last choice, Run All Selected Modules.
2. Press Enter.

Note:
A " " appears next to your selection.

Changing Selected Tests in Test Groups:

To change selected tests in a Test Group:
1. In the Module Tests Menu, use the up and down arrow keys to move the cursor to your selection.
2. Press Tab to move into the expanded Test Group window.
3. Scroll to the test you want to select or deselect.

Attention:
Items indicated by a directly adjacent "" ( red text on color screens) are destructive tests.

4. Press the spacebar at the highlighted test to toggle between select (indicated by a " ") and deselect.

Note:
Pressing the first letter of a test does not activate the test, unlike menu operation.

5. Press Esc to return to the Test Group.
6. Press Enter to run the selected tests.

Running an Individual Test:

To run an individual test:
1. From the expanded Test Group, use the up and down arrow keys to move to the highlighted bar to the test you want to run.
2. Press Enter to run the test.

Note:
The results of the test appear in the lower-right-hand Test Log window. Also, if you enabled Test Logging, the results are recorded in the Test Log.

3. When the test completes, press Esc to return to the Test Group Menu.

Stopping the Tests:
To stop running a specific test or stop testing after you have started a test, press Esc while the test is running. The test pauses at the first possible opportunity, and the Skip/Abort Test Menu appears with the following options:

Option	Action
Continue	The test program begins testing where it left off.
Skip to next test	The test program skips the current test, but remaining tests for the selected Test Module continue.
Skip to next group	The test program skips the remaining tests in the current test group.
Abort all tests	The test program stops and returns to the previous menu.

QAPlus/PRO Diagnostics Control Keys:
The following is a list of the QAPlus/PRO Diagnostics Control Keys, when used and a description of the diagnostics response.

Control Keys	When Used	Diagnostics Response
Ctrl+A	Main Menu	Allows you to select test from the sub menus that are highlighted with red letters. Attention: If selected, these tests will erase the information stored on the diskette or hard disk drive.
Up and Down Arrow Keys	Main Menu Module Test Menu Test Group Menu	Highlights an item you want to select.
Space Bar	Module Test Menu Test Group Menu	Adds a diamond to the left of the highlighted test. The test will run when Run All Selected is highlighted and the Enter key is pressed. Also removes the diamond to the left of the item. The test will not run when Run All Selected is highlighted and the Enter key is pressed.
Tab Key	Main Menu Module Test Menu	Selects the additional test for the menu you are in.
+/- Keys	Test Group Menu	Selects additional test. The LUN displayed on the top right Test Group Menu shows which test is selected and how and remain (example LUN 1 of 2).

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	Hint Category	Diagnostics, Hardware Maintenance Information
	Date Created	04-03-97
	Last Updated	19-11-98
	Revision Date	05-11-99
	Brand	IBM PC Server
	Product Family	PC Server 325
	Machine Type	8639
	Model	EJ0; ES0; ESV; RD0; RF0; RS0; XD0; XDV; XF0; XFV; XJ0; XS0; XSV; YS0
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