Netfinity3500/IBM IntelliStation M Pro (Type 6898) - False diagnostic error with fixed disk controller test

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Service Hints & Tips

Document ID: MCGN-3RYLUU

Netfinity3500/IBM IntelliStation M Pro (Type 6898) - False diagnostic error with fixed disk controller test

Applicable to: World-Wide

SYMPTOM:
The following FALSE error message may appear when running the "IBM Enhanced Diagnostics" (PC-Doctor) Fixed Disk Controller Test:

"Disk 0 Controller ......................
Controller data loopback failed, Wrote FFFFH, Read 00H."

PROBLEM ISOLATION AIDS:

- The system is a Netfinity 3500 (8644) or Intellistation (6898).

- The hard disk drive does not contain any data (i.e., it is a new "blank" drive, it was just replaced, or it was just formatted).

- The diagnostic version is 1.8.335 or below.
Note: The diagnostic version can be viewed by pressing <F10> on the main menu screen of the "IBM Diagnostics".

FIX:
Do not replace any hardware as this is a false error message.

The false error message appears if the hard drive being tested does not contain any data or was just formatted.

The PC-Doctor HD Controller test reads the first sector on the drive (boot sector) and analyzes its contents to make sure that
there are no stuck-high or stuck-low data lines.

If the hard drive has been partitioned, the first sector will contain boot and partition table data which can be read and allow the data lines to be tested. The false error occurs on "blank" drives because the data appears to be set to all "zeros" and the loopback test fails.

An engineering investigation is currently in progress. This RETAIN tip will be updated when additional information is
available.

PC-Doctor is a trademark of Watergate Software.

SAS KEYWORDS:
PSY2, PSY2DIAG, PSY2ADPT, UNCLASSIFIED, D/T6898, SCSI, IDE

Search Keywords

PSY2, PSY2DIAG, PSY2ADPT, UNCLASSIFIED, D/T6898, SCSI, IDE

Hint Category

Retain

Date Created

23-02-98

Last Updated

29-04-98

Revision Date

23-04-99

Brand

IBM IntelliStation, IBM PC Server

Product Family

M Pro, Netfinity 3500

Machine Type

6898, 8644

Model

Various

TypeModel

Retain Tip (if applicable)

H162810

Reverse Doclinks
and Admin Purposes

Owning B.U.: USA, USA=A, EMA=A, AFE=A

	Search Keywords	PSY2, PSY2DIAG, PSY2ADPT, UNCLASSIFIED, D/T6898, SCSI, IDE
	Hint Category	Retain
	Date Created	23-02-98
	Last Updated	29-04-98
	Revision Date	23-04-99
	Brand	IBM IntelliStation, IBM PC Server
	Product Family	M Pro, Netfinity 3500
	Machine Type	6898, 8644
	Model	Various
	TypeModel
	Retain Tip (if applicable)	H162810
	Reverse Doclinks and Admin Purposes	Owning B.U.: USA, USA=A, EMA=A, AFE=A