IBM IntelliStation Troubleshooting Guide
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Fault diagnosis on an IBM IntelliStation starts from the machine type on the rear label, because beep codes, POST messages and procedures differ between types. IBM's hardware maintenance manuals work to FRU level: they identify the failing board, drive or supply, not the component.[1] The x86 models use IBM's PC POST codes; the POWER models run AIX and are covered at the end.
Documents
[edit | edit source]- Types 6865, 6888, 6889, 6893, 6898, 6899: the September 1998 HMM, hosted here.[1]
- Z Pro 6221: IBM's 2004 Installation Guide, hosted here.[2]
- Later types: IBM's support pages for POST numeric error codes and for beep and no-beep symptoms, which apply across the IntelliStation Pro line, and per-type pages such as those for the M Pro 6849 and 6233/6850.[3][4]
Before you start
[edit | edit source]IBM's general checkout notes: make sure the latest BIOS level is installed before replacing FRUs, because a down-level BIOS can cause false errors; when several error codes appear, diagnose the first one; and remove non-IBM devices, since they can cause false errors.[5]
No power
[edit | edit source]If the power-on indicator is off, the supply fan does not run, or the machine will not power off, IBM's order is:[6]
- Check the voltage-selector switch is set for the local mains.
- Reseat the power cord, the on/off switch connectors, the system board power connectors and the processors.
- Check the power cord and the power switch for continuity.
- Measure the supply voltages at the system board connector with the cables connected. If they are wrong and the cord is good, replace the supply.
The 20-pin connector pinout and the ATX output limits are in the maintenance guide. On the Z Pro 6221, IBM adds a check that the memory installed is the correct type, and suggests removing a newly installed option in case the supply is overloaded.[2]
Beep codes
[edit | edit source]The beep codes are not the same on every type. On the six types in the 1998 HMM, and on IBM's general IntelliStation Pro page, one beep and text on the display mean POST passed. More than one beep means POST found an error. Codes are written as groups of beeps separated by pauses, so 1-2-X is one beep, a pause, two beeps, a pause and any number of beeps.[7][4]
| Beeps | Meaning | FRU or action, in order |
|---|---|---|
| 1-1-3 | CMOS read/write error | Run Setup; system board |
| 1-1-4 | ROM BIOS check error | System board |
| 1-2-X | DMA error | System board |
| 1-3-X | Memory module; system board | |
| 1-4-4 | Keyboard; system board | |
| 1-4-X | Error in first 64 KB of RAM | Memory module; system board |
| 2-1-1, 2-1-2 | Run Setup; system board | |
| 2-1-X, 2-2-X | First 64 KB of RAM failed | Memory module; system board |
| 2-2-2 | Video adapter (if fitted); system board | |
| 2-3-X | Memory module; system board | |
| 2-4-X | Run Setup; memory module; system board | |
| 3-1-X | DMA register failed | System board |
| 3-2-4 | Keyboard controller failed | System board; keyboard |
| 3-3-4 | Screen initialisation failed | Video adapter (if fitted); system board; display |
| 3-4-1 | Screen retrace test error | Video adapter (if fitted); system board; display |
| 3-4-2 | POST searching for video ROM | Video adapter (if fitted); system board; display |
| 4 (four continuous) | Video adapter (if fitted); system board | |
| One long, one short | Base 640 KB memory or shadow RAM error | Memory module; system board |
| One long, two or three short | Video error | Video adapter (if fitted); system board |
| Three short | System board memory; system board | |
| Continuous | System board | |
| Repeating short | Keyboard (stuck key); keyboard cable; system board |
Other types use different lists. IBM's page for the M Pro 6233 and 6850 defines 1-2-1 as programmable interval timer failure and 1-3-1 as the first 64 KB RAM test, for example.[8] On the Z Pro 6221 a successful POST gives no beep at all, and a continuous beep means the startup processor has failed or the system board or speaker circuit is faulty.[2] Check the code against the document for the machine type.
No beep
[edit | edit source]Types 6865, 6889 and 6893 come up quiet by default when POST finds no error: no beep, no memory count and no checkpoint codes. Enable Power-on Status in Setup to get the beep back.[7] The M Pro 6849 does the same; set Power-On Self-Test to Enhanced in its Setup to change it.[9] A missing beep on those machines is not a fault if they otherwise work.[7]
If there is no beep and the machine does not work, IBM's list is the system board, memory modules, any adapter or device, the riser card, the power cord and the power supply.[4]
POST error codes
[edit | edit source]The x86 IntelliStations display numeric POST codes. A selection from IBM's list, with its FRUs in order:[3][10]
| Code | Meaning | FRU or action, in order |
|---|---|---|
| 101 | System board interrupt failure | System board |
| 102 | System board timer error | System board |
| 110 | System board memory parity error | Memory module; system board |
| 111 | I/O channel parity error | Reseat adapters; any adapter; system board |
| 129 | Internal cache test error | Processor; L2 cache; system board |
| 151 | Real-time clock failure | System board |
| 161 | Bad CMOS battery | Run Setup; CMOS backup battery; system board |
| 162 | Configuration mismatch | Run Setup; check for added, removed or moved devices; power on external devices first; CMOS backup battery; system board |
| 163 | Clock not updating or invalid time | Set time and date; CMOS backup battery; system board |
| 164 | Memory size mismatch | Run Setup and check the memory size; run the extended memory test |
| 166 | Boot block checksum error | Flash recovery using the boot block; system board |
| 167 | Processor not supported by the BIOS | Check the processor stepping and update the BIOS; processor |
| 201, 20X | Memory data error | Run the memory test; memory module; system board |
| 225 | Unsupported memory | |
| 229 | External cache test error | L2 cache; system board |
| 301 | Keyboard | Keyboard; keyboard cable; system board |
| 601 | Diskette | Diskette drive A; cable; system board |
| 1762 | Hard disk configuration error | Run the Setup utility |
| 1780 to 1783 | Disk drive 0 to 3 | Power supply; hard disk drive; system board; hard disk cable |
| 180X, 188X | PCI configuration or resource error | Check PCI/ISA settings in Setup; set ISA adapters to "Not available"; remove suspect ISA adapters; PCI adapter |
| 1962 | Boot sequence error | Possible hard disk drive problem |
| 8601, 8602 | Pointing device | Mouse; system board |
On the Z Pro 6221, IBM's short list is 162 (change in device configuration), 163 (time of day not set), 164 (change in memory configuration) and 201 (memory error: check the memory is seated and installed correctly).[2]
Isolating an undetermined fault
[edit | edit source]When the machine hangs with no error, IBM's procedure is to check the supply voltages first, then power off and remove or disconnect one item at a time, re-testing after each: non-IBM devices, external devices, adapters, the riser card, memory modules, extended video memory, external cache, the hard disk and the diskette drive. If everything is out and the fault remains, the system board is at fault.[11]
On dual-processor models in the 1998 HMM, the two processors must be within one revision of each other (the processor ID is shown in Setup under Advanced Setup, Processor Control), and dual Pentium II processors are jumpered to the speed of the slower one. A replacement system board needs the BIOS and vital product data (serial number and machine type) loaded with the Flash Update program.[11]
The Z Pro 6221 has error LEDs on the system board for each DIMM (D26 to D29) and for the second processor (D32), and a SCSI controller status LED (D45). An LED that stays lit after a restart marks a component that is still at fault.[2]
Hard drives
[edit | edit source]IBM 9.1 GB and 18.2 GB 7200 rpm SCSI drives (option 20L0553, FRU 36L8648; option 20L0554, FRU 36L8649) in the E Pro 6893 and M Pro 6889 and 6897 need the firmware update in ECA036 or ECA037. Without it, after the system is powered down the drive may not spin up again on an Adaptec controller, or may fail completely on a ServeRAID or Netfinity Fibre Channel controller.[12][13]
BIOS recovery
[edit | edit source]POST error 166 and a failed BIOS update both call for the boot block recovery: power off, move the boot block jumper or switch to the recover position, insert the update diskette, power on and follow the Flash Update Utility, then return the jumper to normal.[14]
Capacitors
[edit | edit source]Instability under load, failure to start or random resets on the early-2000s boards can come from failing electrolytic capacitors at the processor voltage regulator. Inspect them before replacing the board; see IBM IntelliStation Capacitor Replacement Guide and Capacitor Failure Symptoms.
POWER models
[edit | edit source]The POWER 185, 265, 275 and 285 run AIX and are diagnosed with IBM's POWER service tools, not the PC POST codes above. The hosted Redpapers for the POWER 185 and 285 describe the hardware but are not service manuals.[15][16] For the older RS/6000 operator panel codes see IBM RS/6000 Troubleshooting Guide.
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 IBM, IBM Personal Computer 300 Series, 700 Series, IntelliStation Hardware Maintenance Manual, S83G-7789-17, September 1998. Covers IntelliStation types 6865, 6888, 6889, 6893, 6898 and 6899. Hosted here as File:IBM PC 300 700 IntelliStation Hardware Maintenance Manual S83G-7789-17 (Sep 1998).pdf.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 IBM, IBM IntelliStation Z Pro Type 6221: Installation Guide, 2004, chapter 5 "Solving problems", pp. 51 to 57. Hosted here as File:IBM IntelliStation Z Pro Type 6221 Installation Guide (2004).pdf.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 IBM Support, "Troubleshooting POST numeric error codes" (IntelliStation E, M, Z, A and R Pro).
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 IBM Support, "Troubleshooting POST beep and no beep errors" (IntelliStation E, M, Z, A and R Pro).
- ↑ IBM, S83G-7789-17, "General Checkout", pp. 1 to 2. Hosted here as File:IBM PC 300 700 IntelliStation Hardware Maintenance Manual S83G-7789-17 (Sep 1998).pdf.
- ↑ IBM, S83G-7789-17, "Power Supply" and "20-Pin Main Power Supply Connection", pp. 28 to 30. Hosted here as File:IBM PC 300 700 IntelliStation Hardware Maintenance Manual S83G-7789-17 (Sep 1998).pdf.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 IBM, S83G-7789-17, Symptom-to-FRU Index, "Beep Symptoms" and "No Beep Symptoms", pp. 32 to 34, and "POST Beep Codes", pp. 230 to 231. Hosted here as File:IBM PC 300 700 IntelliStation Hardware Maintenance Manual S83G-7789-17 (Sep 1998).pdf.
- ↑ IBM Support, "Beep and no beep symptoms - IBM IntelliStation M Pro (Type 6233, 6850)".
- ↑ IBM Support, "POST error codes - IBM IntelliStation M Pro (Type 6849)".
- ↑ IBM, S83G-7789-17, Symptom-to-FRU Index, "POST Error Codes", pp. 34 onwards. Hosted here as File:IBM PC 300 700 IntelliStation Hardware Maintenance Manual S83G-7789-17 (Sep 1998).pdf.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 IBM, S83G-7789-17, "Undetermined Problem", "Replacing a Processor" and "Replacing a System Board", pp. 81 to 83. Hosted here as File:IBM PC 300 700 IntelliStation Hardware Maintenance Manual S83G-7789-17 (Sep 1998).pdf.
- ↑ IBM Support, "ECA037 - 9.1GB and 18.2GB SCSI hard drive firmware update - IBM IntelliStation M Pro (Type 6889, 6897)".
- ↑ IBM Support, "ECA036 - 9.1GB and 18.2GB SCSI hard drive firmware update - IBM IntelliStation E Pro (Type 6893)".
- ↑ IBM, S83G-7789-17, "Flash Recovery Boot Block Jumper", p. 228. Hosted here as File:IBM PC 300 700 IntelliStation Hardware Maintenance Manual S83G-7789-17 (Sep 1998).pdf.
- ↑ IBM, IBM IntelliStation POWER 185 Technical Overview and Introduction, REDP-4135, April 2006. Hosted here as File:IBM IntelliStation POWER 185 Technical Overview and Introduction REDP-4135.pdf.
- ↑ IBM, IBM IntelliStation POWER 285 Technical Overview and Introduction, REDP-4078, September 2006. Hosted here as File:IBM IntelliStation POWER 285 Technical Overview and Introduction REDP-4078.pdf.
Related pages
[edit | edit source]- IBM IntelliStation · IBM IntelliStation Maintenance Guide · IBM IntelliStation Capacitor Replacement Guide
- IBM RS/6000 Troubleshooting Guide