IBM 8646 Hardware Maintenance Manual - Page 23

Diagnostic error messages, Power checkout, Recovering BIOS, Utility, View Test Log - bios update

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Note: If you already are running the diagnostic programs, begin with step 3 . To view the test log: 1. Turn on the server and watch the screen. If the server is on, shut down the operating system and restart the server. 2. When the message F2 for Diagnostics appears, press F2. If a power-on password is set, the server prompts you for it. Type in the appropriate password; then, press Enter. 3. When the Diagnostic Programs screen appears, select Utility from the top of the screen. 4. Select View Test Log from the list that appears; then, follow the instructions on the screen. The system maintains the test-log data while the server is powered on. When you turn off the power to the server, the test log is cleared. Diagnostic error messages For descriptions of the error messages that might appear when you run the diagnostic programs, see "Diagnostic error codes" on page 94. If diagnostic error messages appear that are not listed in those tables, make sure that the server has the latest levels of BIOS, ServeRAID, and diagnostics microcode installed. Power checkout Power problems can be difficult to troubleshoot. For instance, a short circuit can exist anywhere on any of the power distribution busses. Usually a short circuit will cause the power subsystem to shut down because of an overcurrent condition. A general procedure for troubleshooting power problems is as follows: 1. Power off the system and disconnect the AC cord(s). 2. Check for loose cables in the power subsystem. Also check for short circuits, for instance if there is a loose screw causing a short circuit on a circuit board. 3. Remove adapters and disconnect the cables and power connectors to all internal and external devices until system is at minimum configuration required for power on (see ″Minimum operating requirements″ on page 106). 4. Reconnect the AC cord and power on the system. If the system powers up successfully, replace adapters and devices one at a time until the problem is isolated. If system does not power up from minimal configuration, replace FRUs of minimal configuration one at a time until the problem is isolated. To use this method it is important to know the minimum configuration required for a system to power up (see page 106). Recovering BIOS The flash memory of the server consists of a primary BIOS page and a backup BIOS page. The server has an Automatic BIOS Recovery (ABR) feature which allows recovery when the BIOS is damaged (e.g. BIOS is damaged when the server loses power during the flash update). When the ABR feature finds the primary BIOS damaged, circuitry switches to the backup BIOS and restarts the system. If the primary BIOS has become damaged, ABR will proceed and boot the backup BIOS and the system will function normally. However, the primary BIOS should be updated using a BIOS flash diskette as soon as possible. The flash diskette always Diagnostics 15

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Note:
If you already are running the diagnostic programs, begin with step 3 .
To view the test log:
1.
Turn on the server and watch the screen.
If the server is on, shut down the operating system and restart the server.
2.
When the message
F2 for Diagnostics
appears, press F2.
If a power-on password is set, the server prompts you for it. Type in the
appropriate password; then, press Enter.
3.
When the Diagnostic Programs screen appears, select
Utility
from the top of
the screen.
4.
Select
View Test Log
from the list that appears; then, follow the instructions on
the screen.
The system maintains the test-log data while the server is powered on. When
you turn off the power to the server, the test log is cleared.
Diagnostic error messages
For descriptions of the error messages that might appear when you run the
diagnostic programs, see
“
Diagnostic error codes
”
on page 94. If diagnostic error
messages appear that are not listed in those tables, make sure that the server has
the latest levels of BIOS, ServeRAID, and diagnostics microcode installed.
Power checkout
Power problems can be difficult to troubleshoot. For instance, a short circuit can
exist anywhere on any of the power distribution busses. Usually a short circuit will
cause the power subsystem to shut down because of an overcurrent condition.
A general procedure for troubleshooting power problems is as follows:
1.
Power off the system and disconnect the AC cord(s).
2.
Check for loose cables in the power subsystem. Also check for short circuits, for
instance if there is a loose screw causing a short circuit on a circuit board.
3.
Remove adapters and disconnect the cables and power connectors to all
internal and external devices until system is at minimum configuration
required for power on (see
″
Minimum operating requirements
″
on page 106).
4.
Reconnect the AC cord and power on the system. If the system powers up
successfully, replace adapters and devices one at a time until the problem is
isolated. If system does not power up from minimal configuration, replace
FRUs of minimal configuration one at a time until the problem is isolated.
To use this method it is important to know the minimum configuration required
for a system to power up (see page 106).
Recovering BIOS
The flash memory of the server consists of a primary BIOS page and a backup
BIOS page. The server has an Automatic BIOS Recovery (ABR) feature which
allows recovery when the BIOS is damaged (e.g. BIOS is damaged when the server
loses power during the flash update). When the ABR feature finds the primary
BIOS damaged, circuitry switches to the backup BIOS and restarts the system. If
the primary BIOS has become damaged, ABR will proceed and boot the backup
BIOS and the system will function normally. However, the primary BIOS should be
updated using a BIOS flash diskette as soon as possible. The flash diskette always
Diagnostics
15