IBM RS/6000 Troubleshooting Guide: Difference between revisions

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This guide documents fault diagnosis for the '''[[IBM RS/6000]]''' family (machine types '''7011 / 7012 / 7013 / 7015 / 7020 / 7025 / 7026 / 7043 / 7044 / 7248'''). RS/6000 troubleshooting differs significantly from PC troubleshooting in that '''every RS/6000 has a 3- or 4-digit LED operator panel''' that displays both BIST (Built-In Self-Test) and POST codes, and that operating-system errors are reported with structured '''SRN''' (Service Request Number) codes that map directly to IBM-supplied FRU lists.
This guide documents fault diagnosis for the '''[[IBM RS/6000]]''' family (machine types '''7011 / 7012 / 7013 / 7015 / 7020 / 7025 / 7026 / 7043 / 7044 / 7248'''). RS/6000 troubleshooting differs significantly from PC troubleshooting in that '''every RS/6000 has a 3- or 4-digit LED operator panel''' that displays both BIST (Built-In Self-Test) and POST codes, and that operating-system errors are reported with structured '''SRN''' (Service Request Number) codes that map directly to IBM-supplied FRU lists.<ref name="src1" /><ref name="src2" /><ref name="src3" /><ref name="src4" /><ref name="src5" /><ref name="src6" /><ref name="src7" /><ref name="src8" /><ref name="src9" />


== The Operator Panel ==
== The Operator Panel ==
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== NVRAM battery ==
== NVRAM battery ==


The RS/6000 keeps its configuration and IPL device list in battery-backed NVRAM. A '''dead or removed battery''' loses the settings and can leave the machine unbootable or "confused" — some 43P systems are hard to recover after the backup battery is pulled. Replace a low battery (F57), and after any NVRAM loss re-enter the boot configuration in Service mode.<ref name="rs6k">[http://ps-2.kev009.com/jasper/aix/rs-leds.errcodes.html RS/6000 3-Digit Display Codes], Kev009; and the IBM RS/6000 service manuals. Source for the operator-panel LED codes and the NVRAM-battery behaviour.</ref>
The RS/6000 keeps its configuration and IPL device list in battery-backed NVRAM. A '''dead or removed battery''' loses the settings and can leave the machine unbootable or "confused" — some 43P systems are hard to recover after the backup battery is pulled. Replace a low battery (F57), and after any NVRAM loss re-enter the boot configuration in Service mode.<ref name="rs6k" />


== SCSI and memory ==
== SCSI and memory ==


Most RS/6000 boot hangs are the '''SCSI subsystem''' (the codes step through SCSI init and the IPL-device search) or bad '''memory SIMMs'''. Reseat the SIMMs and the SCSI cabling and terminators, and confirm the boot device against the NVRAM IPL list.<ref name="rs6k">[http://ps-2.kev009.com/jasper/aix/rs-leds.errcodes.html RS/6000 3-Digit Display Codes], Kev009; and the IBM RS/6000 service manuals. Source for the operator-panel LED codes and the NVRAM-battery behaviour.</ref>
Most RS/6000 boot hangs are the '''SCSI subsystem''' (the codes step through SCSI init and the IPL-device search) or bad '''memory SIMMs'''. Reseat the SIMMs and the SCSI cabling and terminators, and confirm the boot device against the NVRAM IPL list.<ref name="rs6k" />


== References ==
== References ==


<references />
<references>
<ref name="src1">[http://ps-2.kev009.com/jasper/aix/rs-leds.errcodes.html RS/6000 3-Digit Display Codes — kev009 mirror]. Authoritative LED code reference.</ref>
<ref name="src2">[http://ps-2.kev009.com/jasper/aix/older.rs-leds.errcodes.html RS/6000 older 3-Digit Display Codes]. Specific BIST/IPL code listings.</ref>
<ref name="src3">[http://ps-2.kev009.com/pimpworks/ibm/aixled.html IBM AIX LED diagnostic codes — kev009]. Cross-reference list.</ref>
<ref name="src4">[https://sysadminera.com/2017/02/04/the-led-codes-of-aix/ The LED Codes of AIX — sysadminera]. Modern restated reference for 888 halt sequence.</ref>
<ref name="src5">[https://www.ardent-tool.com/RS6000/docs/pdf/38053100.pdf IBM SA38-0531-00 — RS/6000 7013 500-series Installation and Service Guide]. PSU + planar service.</ref>
<ref name="src6">[https://sharktastica.co.uk/resources/docs/IBM_SA38-0512-03_RS6000_98_4.pdf IBM SA38-0512-03 — RS/6000 7043 / 7248 Service Guide]. CHRP / PReP service.</ref>
<ref name="src7">[https://www.manualslib.com/manual/901093/Ibm-Rs-6000-Enterprise-Server-M80.html?page=356 IBM RS/6000 M80 Service Manual]. Common firmware error codes chapter (applies broadly across CHRP RS/6000s).</ref>
<ref name="src8">[https://www.infania.net/misc/rs6000-firmware/7043140I.html 7043-140 firmware and SMS keys]. F1/F4/F5/F6/F8 entry-key reference.</ref>
<ref name="src9">[http://ps-2.kev009.com/tl/techlib/qna/faxes/html/krn/krn4.htm IBM TechLib krn4 — RS/6000 boot keys].</ref>
</references>


== Related Pages ==
== Related Pages ==
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* [[IBM RS/6000 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
* [[IBM RS/6000 Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
* [[IBM RS/6000 Firmware Update Guide]]
* [[IBM RS/6000 Firmware Update Guide]]
== References ==
* [http://ps-2.kev009.com/jasper/aix/rs-leds.errcodes.html RS/6000 3-Digit Display Codes — kev009 mirror]. Authoritative LED code reference.
* [http://ps-2.kev009.com/jasper/aix/older.rs-leds.errcodes.html RS/6000 older 3-Digit Display Codes]. Specific BIST/IPL code listings.
* [http://ps-2.kev009.com/pimpworks/ibm/aixled.html IBM AIX LED diagnostic codes — kev009]. Cross-reference list.
* [https://sysadminera.com/2017/02/04/the-led-codes-of-aix/ The LED Codes of AIX — sysadminera]. Modern restated reference for 888 halt sequence.
* [https://www.ardent-tool.com/RS6000/docs/pdf/38053100.pdf IBM SA38-0531-00 — RS/6000 7013 500-series Installation and Service Guide]. PSU + planar service.
* [https://sharktastica.co.uk/resources/docs/IBM_SA38-0512-03_RS6000_98_4.pdf IBM SA38-0512-03 — RS/6000 7043 / 7248 Service Guide]. CHRP / PReP service.
* [https://www.manualslib.com/manual/901093/Ibm-Rs-6000-Enterprise-Server-M80.html?page=356 IBM RS/6000 M80 Service Manual]. Common firmware error codes chapter (applies broadly across CHRP RS/6000s).
* [https://www.infania.net/misc/rs6000-firmware/7043140I.html 7043-140 firmware and SMS keys]. F1/F4/F5/F6/F8 entry-key reference.
* [http://ps-2.kev009.com/tl/techlib/qna/faxes/html/krn/krn4.htm IBM TechLib krn4 — RS/6000 boot keys].


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