Automatic main storage dump

When the system stops due to a hardware or software failure, the service processor begins the main storage dump process.

To check whether the system performed a main storage dump (MSD) or to verify that a current MSD is on the system, see Error recovery for dumps.

When the service processor begins the main storage dump process, the control panel displays D1xx 3xxx reference codes. When the initial stages of the MSD are complete, the service processor performs one of the following:
  • Displays a reference code on the control panel (if it cannot continue).
  • Begins an MSD IPL and displays C6xx 44xx SRCs along with the IPL SRCs on the control panel.

When the system completes the dump, some of the data for the current MSD is copied to the load-source disk, and the other data is held temporarily in main storage. The Main Storage Dump Manager (MSDM) function then starts.

When a failure causes the system to perform a main storage dump, the Main Storage Dump Manager SRC display will appear as soon as the last disk unit reports in.

Note: If all disk units do not report in (after about 40 minutes), the Disk Configuration Error Report screen will appear when the user specifies an action that requires access to auxiliary storage. Note the error that appears on the display. This can help during problem analysis. Press the F3 (Exit) key to continue to view the current MSD or copy it to removable media.
Attention: Unless the current MSD is copied to removable media or the MSD library, the dump data in main storage will be lost when the system performs an IPL at the end of the dump process. To copy the MSD, press Enter. For more details about how to copy, report, or delete a dump after you have completed a dump, see Managing dumps.

If you select F3/F12 to exit Main Storage Dump Manager without copying the MSD, the following message appears: 

Main storage dump has not been copied for service.

Selecting F3/F12 a second time ends the main storage dump manager function, and the system performs an IPL again.