IBM Support

Troubleshooting POST/startup does not complete issues - Servers

Troubleshooting


Problem

Troubleshooting POST/startup does not complete issues for Servers.

Resolving The Problem

Symptom

The server is unable to complete POST with either of these conditions:

  • Beep code on boot and no video
  • or no POST/startup BIOS response at all

Solution

Attention: always remove power from the server before removing or installing options during troubleshooting.

  1. If the server is unable to complete POST, go through the system and make sure equipment and options are installed correctly.
    • Cables, processors, memory, and/or riser cards are especially suspect when this situation is encountered. It is suggested to go through the system and reseat all of the above.
    • Check the monitor. Is it connected. Try another known good monitor. No monitor or a failing video signal can cause any of the following beep error codes: (2-2-2, 1 long/1 short, 1 long/2 short, 2 long/2 short). This normally signifies that monitor or video adapter is not cabled correctly, or is damaged.
    • When options are installed incorrectly, they can become damaged if the server is powered up in this condition so it is best to take the server down to minimum configuration. Minimum configuration consists of the following:
      • The original memory DIMM that came with the server.
      • The original processor that came with the server, verify that the terminator is installed.
      • No adapters installed in the server at all.
      • Added backplanes, hard disk drives, tape drives and cables should be disconnected from the system board and power connections.
  2. Was new hardware added to the system? If new hardware was added to the system, remove it. If the system functions like normal with the option removed, then it is possible that the new option was either not installed correctly, is not compatible with the system, or is damaged. For compatibility, check the IBM ServerProven Compatibility Web site.
  3. Are any of the LEDs lit up? Most IBM systems have some type of Light Path Diagnostics or LED Error Indicators. Use these for assistance with determining the location of the problem device if they are lit up. Light Path Diagnostics is reasonably accurate at determining where a problem is located. Review your system's Hardware Maintenance Manual (HMM) for Light Path errors.
  4. If parts are available, such as from an equivalent system that is known good, try swapping parts between the two machines to try and determine the problem device or part.
  5. Is the system giving any beep codes?
    • One beep after successfully completing POST indicates the system is functioning properly.
    • System error beeps usually signify that some part in the server is not connected or installed correctly, although they can also represent damaged or failed system parts.
    • Refer to the following Beep Symptom List for specific beep (or no beep) error code meanings.

Beep Symptom List

Beep symptoms are short tones or a series of short tones separated by pauses (intervals without sound) that occur during POST/startup of the system.

Note: One beep after successfully completing POST indicates the system is functioning properly.

Deciphering beep codes: Listen closely during bootup
Beep example:
Description:
1-2-3
  • One beep
  • A pause (or break)
  • Two beeps
  • A pause (or break)
  • Three beeps
4
  • Four continuous beeps

Note: Below is a standard beep symptom list. It is not specific to any particular server. Review the Hardware Maintenance Manual (HMM) for specific machine beep code errors. Specific machine Beep code error lists are also available for most IBM Servers at the System x support site

Beep Code Meanings
Beep/Symptom:
FRU/Action:
1-1-2

(Processor register test failed)
  1. Optional Processor (if installed)
  2. Processor
1-1-3

(CMOS write/read test failed)
  1. Battery/CMOS chip
  2. System Board
1-1-4

(BIOS EEPROM checksum failed)
  1. System Board
1-2-1

(Programmable Interval Timer failed)
  1. System Board
  2. Processor Board
1-2-2

(DMA initialization failed)
  1. System Board
  2. Processor Board
1-2-3

(DMA page register write/read failed)
  1. System Board
  2. Processor Board
1-2-4

RAM refresh verification failed
  1. System Board
  2. Processor Board
1-3-1

(1st 64K RAM test failed)
  1. DIMM
  2. Processor Board
1-3-2

(1st 64K RAM parity test failed)
  1. DIMM
  2. Processor Board
  3. System Board
2-1-1

(Secondary DMA register failed)
  1. System Board
  2. Processor Board
2-1-2

(Primary DMA register failed)
  1. System Board
  2. Processor Board
2-1-3

(Primary interrupt mask register failed)
  1. System Board
  2. Processor Board
2-1-4

(Secondary interrupt mask register failed)
  1. System Board
  2. Processor Board
2-2-1

(Interrupt vector loading failed)
  1. System Board
  2. Processor Board
2-2-2

(Keyboard controller failed)
  1. System Board
2-2-3

(CMOS power failure and checksum checks failed)
  1. Battery/CMOS chip
  2. System Board
2-2-4

(CMOS configuration info validation failed)
  1. Battery/CMOS chip
  2. System Board
2-3-1

(Screen initialization failed)
  1. Jumper on J14
  2. System Board
2-3-2

(Screen memory failed)
  1. System Board
2-3-3

(Screen retrace failed)
  1. System Board
2-3-4

(Search for video ROM failed)
  1. System Board
2-4-1

(Video failed, screen believed operable)
  1. System Board
3-1-1

(Timer tick interrupt failed)
  1. System Board
3-1-2

(Interval timer channel 2 failed)
  1. System Board
3-1-3

(RAM test failed above address 0FFFFH)
  1. DIMM
  2. Processor Board
  3. System Board
3-1-4

(Time-Of-Day clock failed)
  1. Battery/CMOS chip
  2. System Board
3-2-1

(Serial port failed)
  1. System Board
3-2-2

(Parallel port failed)
  1. System Board
3-2-3

(Math coprocessor failed)
  1. Optional Processor (if installed)
  2. Processor
  3. Processor Board
3-2-4

(Failure comparing CMOS memory size against actual)
  1. DIMM
  2. Processor Board
  3. Battery/CMOS chip

3-3-1

(Memory size mismatch occurred)
  1. DIMM
  2. Processor Board
  3. Battery/CMOS chip

See "Memory Settings" in your server's Hardware Maintenance Manual (HMM).
3-3-2

(Critical SMBUS error occurred)
  1. Disconnect the server power cord from outlet, wait 30 seconds and retry.
  2. Processor Board
  3. Memory DIMMs
Three Short Beeps
  1. DIMM
  2. Processor Board
  3. System Board
One Continuous Beep
  1. Processor
  2. Optional Processor (if installed)
  3. Processor Board
  4. System Board
Repeating Short Beeps
  1. Keyboard
  2. System Board
One Long and One Short Beep
  1. Video adapter (if present)
  2. System Board
One Long and Two Short Beeps
  1. Video adapter (if present)
  2. System Board
Two Long and Two Short Beeps
  1. Video adapter
No Beep Symptoms
No Beep Symptom:
FRU/Action:
No beep and the system operates correctly.
  1. Check speaker cables
  2. Speaker
  3. System Board
No Beeps occur after successfully completing POST

(The Power-On Status is disabled.)
  1. Run F1 Configuration/Setup, set the Start Options Power-On Status to enable.
  2. Check speaker connection.
  3. Speaker
  4. System Board
No AC power

(Power supply AC LED is off)
  1. Check the power cord
  2. Power Supply (If two are installed, swap them to determine if one is defective.)
  3. Power Backplane
  4. Hot Swap Power AC Inlet Box
No beep and no video
  1. See "Undetermined Problems" section within your system's Hardware Maintenance Manual (HMM).
System will not power-up

(Power supply AC LED is on)
  1. See "Power Supply LED Errors" section within your system's Hardware Maintenance Manual (HMM).

What to do if none of this worked

  • Check the IBM Support Web site for machine specific information to see if there are known issues about this machine.
  • Contact an IBM support technician at your local IBM Support Center.

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Document Location

Worldwide

Operating System

System x:Operating system independent / None

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Document Information

Modified date:
28 January 2019

UID

ibm1MIGR-40411

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