If your system is not working as expected, begin troubleshooting using the procedures in this section. This section guides you through some initial checks and procedures that can solve basic system problems and provides troubleshooting procedures for components inside the system. Before you start any of the procedures in this section, take the following steps:
Read the "Safety Instructions" in your System Information document.
If you are troubleshooting a tower system, lay the system on its side.
The procedures in this guide require that you remove the cover and work inside the system. While working inside the system, do not attempt to service the system except as explained in this guide and elsewhere in your system documentation. Always follow the instructions closely. Ensure that you review all of the procedures in "Safety Instructions" in your System Information document.
Working inside the system is safe—if you observe the following precautions.
CAUTION: The power supplies in this system produce high voltages and energy
hazards, which can cause bodily harm. Only trained service technicians are
authorized to remove the system cover and access any of the components inside
the system.
CAUTION: See "Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge" in the safety
instructions in your System Information document before performing any
procedure which requires you to open the cover.
Improperly set switches, controls, and loose or improperly connected cables are the most likely source of problems for the system, monitor, or other peripherals (such as a printer, keyboard, mouse, or other external equipment). A quick check of all the switches, controls, and cable connections can easily solve these problems. See Figure 2-3 for the back-panel features and connectors.
Looking at and listening to the system is important in determining the source of a problem. Look and listen during the system's start-up routine for the indication described in Table 5-1.
Figure 5-1 shows the rack and tower versions of the system. The illustrations in this document depict the tower version of the system lying on its side.
The bezel has a system status indicator. A lock on the bezel restricts access to the power button, diskette drive, CD drive, hard drive(s), power supplies, and the interior of the system. You must open or remove the bezel and remove the system cover to gain access to internal components.
CAUTION: Before you perform this procedure, you must turn off the system and
disconnect it from its power source. For more information, see "Safety First—For
You and Your System."
This section provides troubleshooting procedures for external devices that connect to the system, such as the monitor, keyboard, or mouse. Before you perform any of the procedures, see "External Connections."
Look at the mouse and the mouse cable for any signs of damage.
Click each button on the mouse.
If the mouse and its cable appear to be free of physical damage, and the buttons work, go to step 4.
If the mouse or its cable are damaged, continue to step 3.
Swap the faulty mouse with a working mouse.
If the problem is resolved, the mouse must be replaced (see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance).
Run the pointing devices test in system diagnostics.
If the problem is resolved, the faulty mouse must be replaced. If the problem is not resolved, the controller is faulty (see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance).
Enter the System Setup program (see "Using the System Setup Program" in the User's
Guide for instructions) and check the Serial Port settings.
If the ports are set to Off, go to step 3.
If the ports are not set to Off, continue to step 2.
Change the Serial Port settings to Auto; reboot the system.
Check the remaining settings in the System Setup program.
See "Using the System Setup Program" in the User's Guide for instructions. If the settings are correct, go to step 5.
If the settings are incorrect, continue to step 4.
Change the necessary settings in the System Setup program. If the port problem is
confined to a particular application program, see the application program's
documentation for specific port configuration requirements.
Reboot the system from the diagnostics diskette, and run the serial port test in the
system diagnostics.
If the test did not run successfully, see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
Turn off the system and any peripheral devices connected to the serial ports.
Swap the interface cable with a known working cable.
If the problem is resolved, the interface cable must be replaced (see "Getting Help," for instructions on obtaining technical assistance).
Turn off power to the system and the serial device, and swap the device with a
comparable device.
Turn on the system and the serial device.
If the problem is resolved, the serial device must be replaced. If the problem is not resolved, see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
Enter the System Setup program and ensure that the USB ports are enabled (see
"Using the System Setup Program" in the User's Guide for instructions).
Turn off the system and any USB devices.
If there is only one USB device connected to the system, go to step 5; otherwise, continue to step 3.
Disconnect all USB devices, and connect the malfunctioning device to the other port.
Turn on the system and the reconnected device.
If the problem is resolved, the USB port may be defective (see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance).
If possible, swap the interface cable with a known working cable.
If the problem is resolved, the interface cable must be replaced (see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance).
Turn off the system and the USB device, and swap the device with a comparable
device.
Turn on the system and the USB device.
If the problem is resolved, the USB device must be replaced. If the problem is not resolved, see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
Check the appropriate indicator on the NIC connector (see Figure 2-6).
A green indicator shows that the adapter is connected to a valid link partner. A blinking amber indicator shows that network data is being sent or received.
If the link indicator is not on, check all cable connections.
Try changing the autonegotiation setting, if possible.
Try another port on the switch or hub.
If you are using a NIC expansion card instead of the integrated NICs, see the documentation for the NIC card.
If the indicator does not light, the network driver files might be damaged or deleted.
Check the drivers, and remove and reinstall the drivers if applicable. Ensure that the
appropriate drivers are installed and the protocols are bound.
You must reboot your system for the reinstalled drivers to become active.
Enter the System Setup program and confirm that the NICs are enabled (see "Using
the System Setup Program" in the User's Guide).
Ensure that the NICs, hubs, and switches on the network are all set to the same data
transmission speed.
Ensure that all network cables are of the proper type and do not exceed the specified
length. For more information, see "Network Cable Requirements" in the User's Guide.
If the problem is not resolved, see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
In Figure 5-4, the covers and bezel are removed to provide an interior view of the system.
Figure 5-4. Inside the System
The system board holds the system's control circuitry and other electronic components. Several hardware options, such as the microprocessors and memory, are installed directly on the system board. The system board can accommodate up to seven PCI expansion cards (two PCI or PCI-X cards at 64-bit/33-133 MHz, four PCI or PCI-X cards at 64-bit/33-100 MHz, and one PCI card at 32-bit/33 MHz).
The peripheral bay provides space for a 3.5-inch diskette drive, a CD drive, and two other devices (two hard drives or one tape drive).
The hard-drive bays provide space for up to six 1-inch hard drives. These hard drives are connected to a SCSI host adapter on the system board or on an expansion card, by way of the SCSI backplane board.
The power distribution board (PDB) provides power distribution for the system. One front-loadable power supply slides into connectors mounted on the PDB to provide power to the system board and internal peripherals. An option for a second hot-pluggable power supply to provide redundant power is available.
For non-SCSI drives such as the diskette drive and CD drive, an interface cable connects the interposer board, attached to the diskette drive and CD drive, to the system board. For SCSI devices, interface cables connect externally accessible SCSI devices and the SCSI backplane board to a SCSI host adapter either on the system board or on an expansion card. For more information, see "Installing Drives."
During an installation or troubleshooting procedure, you may be required to change a jumper. For information on the system board jumpers, see "Jumpers and Connectors."
The optional systems management software monitors critical system voltages and temperatures, the system cooling fans, and the status of the hard drives in the system. Alert messages appear in the alert log window. For information about the alert log window and options, see the systems management software documentation.
Reconnect your system and peripherals to their electrical outlets, and turn on the
system.
If the system does not start up properly, see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
If the system starts up normally, shut down the system and reinstall all expansion cards
you removed in step 3 (see "Installing an Expansion Card" in "Installing System
Options").
Run the system board tests in system diagnostics to confirm that the system is working
properly.
If the tests did not complete successfully, see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
System Setup program loses system configuration information
System date and time do not stay current
The system battery maintains system configuration, date, and time information in a special section of memory when you turn off the system. You may need to replace the battery if an incorrect time or date is displayed during the boot routine.
You can operate the system without a battery; however, the system configuration information maintained by the battery in NVRAM is erased each time you remove power from the system. Therefore, you must re-enter the system configuration information and reset the options each time the system boots until you replace the battery.
Re-enter the time and date through the System Setup program (see "Using the System
Setup Program" in the User's Guide for instructions).
Turn off and disconnect the system from the electrical outlet for at least one hour.
Reconnect the system to the electrical outlet and turn the system on again.
Enter the System Setup program.
If the date and time are not correct in the System Setup program, replace the battery (see "Removing and Replacing the System Battery" in "Installing System Options").
If the problem is not resolved by replacing the battery, see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
NOTE: Some software may cause the system time to speed up or slow down. If the
system seems to operate normally except for the time kept in the System Setup
program, the problem may be caused by software rather than by a defective battery.
NOTE: If the system is turned off for long periods of time (for weeks or months), the
NVRAM may lose its system configuration information. This situation is caused by a
defective battery.
The power supply's fault indicator is lit (see Figure 2-4).
NOTICE: The power supplies are hot-pluggable. The system requires one power supply to be
installed for the system to operate normally. The system is in the redundant mode when two
power supplies are installed. Remove and replace only one power supply at a time in a system
that is powered on.
Remove the faulty power supply (see "Removing a Power Supply" in "Installing System
Options").
NOTE: After installing a new power supply, allow several seconds for the system to
recognize the power supply and determine whether it is working properly. The power-on
indicator will turn green to signify that the power supply is functioning properly (see
Figure 2-4).
If the problem is not resolved, install a new power supply (see "Replacing a Power
Supply" in "Installing System Options").
If the problem is not resolved, see "Getting Help" for information on obtaining
technical assistance.
To maintain proper cooling while the system is on, ensure that none of the previously listed conditions exist. If an individual cooling fan has failed, see "Troubleshooting a Cooling Fan" to resolve the problem.
NOTE: The system is equipped with a front and a back fan assembly and a fan located on
the cooling shroud. The front fan assembly is located near the SCSI backplane board and
contains two fans. The back fan assembly is attached to the back wall of the chassis and
contains two fans.
CAUTION: The cooling fans are hot-pluggable. To maintain proper cooling while
the system is on, only replace one fan at a time.
Locate the faulty fan.
The fan's indicator is amber blinking (see Figure 2-7).
Remove the faulty fan (see "System Fans" in "Installing System Options").
Reseat the fan and ensure that the fan connector is firmly seated.
NOTE: After installing a new fan, allow up to 30 seconds for the system to recognize the
fan and determine whether it is working properly.
If the problem is not resolved, install a new fan (see "System Fans" in "Installing
System Options").
If the replacement fan does not operate, the fan connector is faulty (see "Getting
Help" for information on obtaining technical assistance).
CAUTION: Before you perform this procedure, you must turn off the system and
disconnect it from its power source. For more information, see "Safety First—For
You and Your System."
Remove microprocessor 2 and VRM 2, leaving microprocessor 1 and VRM 1 installed
(see "Removing and Replacing a Microprocessor" in "Installing System Options"). To
locate microprocessor 2 and VRM 2, see Figure A-3.
If only one microprocessor is installed, see "Getting Help" for instructions about obtaining technical assistance.
Remove microprocessor 1 and VRM 1 and replace with microprocessor 2 and VRM 2
(see "Removing and Replacing a Microprocessor" in "Installing System Options").
CAUTION: Before you perform this procedure, you must turn off the system and
disconnect it from its power source. For more information, see "Safety First—For
You and Your System."
Reinstall one of the expansion cards you removed in step 11.
Run Quick Tests in the system diagnostics.
If the tests do not complete successfully, see "Getting Help" for information on obtaining technical assistance. If you have reinstalled all of the expansion cards and the Quick Tests are still failing, see "Getting Help" for information on obtaining technical assistance.
Reconnect the system to its electrical outlet and turn the system on, including any
attached peripherals.
Enter the System Setup program and check the system memory again.
If the amount of memory installed matches the system memory setting, go to step 26. If the amount of memory installed does not match the system memory setting, continue to step 13.
Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system
from its electrical outlet.
Replace the cover (see "Replacing the Cover" in "Installing System Options").
Reconnect your system and peripherals to their electrical outlets, and turn on the
system.
As the system boots, observe the monitor screen and the indicators on the keyboard.
If the monitor screen remains blank and the Num Lock, Caps Lock, and Scroll Lock indicators remain on, continue with step 21. Otherwise, go to step 25.
Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system
from its electrical outlet.
Repeat steps 16 through 20 for each memory module pair installed.
If the monitor screen continues to remain blank while the Num Lock, Caps Lock, and Scroll Lock indicators remain on, go to step 26. Otherwise, go to step 25.
Enter the System Setup program and check the system memory again.
If the amount of memory installed matches the system memory setting, go to step 26. If the amount of memory installed does not match the system memory setting, see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
Run the system memory test in system diagnostics.
If the test does not complete successfully, see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
Ensure that the CD/diskette drive interface cable is securely connected between the
interposer board on the CD/diskette drive assembly and the system board.
Reconnect the system to its electrical outlet and turn the system on, including any
attached peripherals.
Run the diskette drive tests from the diagnostics diskette to see whether the diskette
drive works correctly.
If the test ran successfully, an expansion card may be conflicting with the diskette drive logic, or you may have a faulty expansion card. Continue to step 16.
If the test failed, see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system
from its electrical outlet.
Reconnect the system to its electrical outlet and turn the system on, including any
attached peripherals.
Run the diskette drive tests from the diagnostics diskette to see whether the diskette
drive works correctly.
Repeat steps 16 through 21 until all expansion cards have been reinstalled or until one
of the expansion cards prevents the system from booting from the diagnostics diskette.
If the problem is not resolved, see "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the system
from its electrical outlet.
Ensure that the CD/diskette drive interface cable is securely connected between the
interposer board on the CD/diskette drive assembly and the system board.
NOTICE: This troubleshooting procedure can destroy data stored on the hard drive. Before you
continue, back up all the files on the hard drive.
Reboot your system and enter the SCSI configuration utility by pressing
<Ctrl><h>, <Ctrl><a>, or <Ctrl><m>, depending on your SCSI or RAID
controller.
Ensure that the primary SCSI channel is enabled, and reboot the system.
See the documentation supplied with the controller for information on the configuration utility.
Verify that the device drivers are installed and configured correctly (see the operating
system's documentation).
NOTE: If a drive shows signs of imminent failure, the status indicator blinks green, then
amber, and then off, repeating this sequence every two seconds. If a drive has failed, the
status indicator blinks amber four times per second.
Remove the hard drive and install it in the another drive bay.
If the problem is resolved, reinstall the hard drive in the original bay.
If the hard drive functions properly in the original bay, the drive carrier could have intermittent problems. Ensure that the drive is properly mounted on the drive carrier (see "Removing a Hard Drive" in "Installing Drives").
If the drive carrier still does not function properly in the original bay, the SCSI backplane board has a defective connector. See "Getting Help" for instructions on obtaining technical assistance.
If a RAID controller card is installed, check the SCSI cable connections inside the
system:
Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect the
system from its electrical outlet.
Check the SCSI cable connection to the RAID controller card (see the RAID
controller's documentation for detailed information).
NOTE: To operate the SCSI backplane in a 1 x 6 configuration, ensure that the SCSI
backplane daughter card is not installed. To operate the SCSI backplane in a 2 x 3 split
configuration, ensure that the SCSI backplane daughter card is installed (see "Installing a
SCSI Backplane Daughter Card" in "Installing Drives").
CAUTION: Replace the battery only with the same or equivalent type
recommended by the manufacturer. Discard used batteries according to the
manufacturer's instructions. See the System Information document for
additional information.
Your system may contain an optional RAID controller card. If you encounter problems with the controller, see the RAID controller's documentation for detailed information on troubleshooting.
