Chapter 5. Solving problems
This chapter provides basic troubleshooting information to help you solve some
common problems that might occur while you are setting up the server.
If you cannot diagnose and correct a problem by using the information in this
chapter, see Appendix A, “Getting help and technical assistance,” on page 95, the
Problem Determination and Service Guide on the IBM System x Documentation
CD, and the “Server Support” flowchart in the front of this document.
Diagnostic tools overview
The following tools are available to help you diagnose and solve hardware-related
problems:
v POST beep codes
The power-on self-test beep codes indicate the detection of a problem.
– One beep indicates successful completion of POST, with no errors.
– More than one beep indicates that POST detected a problem. Error messages
also appear during startup if POST detects a hardware-configuration problem.
See “POST beep code descriptions” and the Problem Determination and
Service Guide on the IBM System x Documentation CD for more information.
v
Troubleshooting charts
These tables list problem symptoms and actions to correct the problems. See
“Troubleshooting tables” on page 77 for more information.
v Diagnostic programs and error messages
The system diagnostic programs are provided on the IBM Enhanced Diagnostics
CD. These diagnostic programs are used to troubleshoot problems in the server.
See the Problem Determination and Service Guide on the IBM System x
Documentation CD for more information about the diagnostic programs and error
messages.
v Light path diagnostics
Use light path diagnostics to diagnose system errors quickly. See “Light path
diagnostics” on page 90 for more information.
v IBM Electronic Service Agent
IBM Electronic Service Agent is a software tool that monitors the server for
hardware error events and automatically submits electronic service requests to
the IBM Support Center. Also, it can collect and transmit system configuration
information on a scheduled basis so that the information is available to you and
your support representative. It uses minimal system resources, is available free
of charge, and can be downloaded from the Web. For more information and to
download Electronic Service Agent, go to http://www.ibm.com/support/electronic/.
POST beep code descriptions
POST emits one beep to signal successful completion. If POST detects a problem
during startup, other beep codes might occur. Use the following beep code
descriptions to help diagnose and solve problems that are detected during startup.
Note: See the Problem Determination and Service Guide on the IBM System x
Documentation CD for more information about the POST beep codes.
© Copyright IBM Corp. 2008 63
