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.
-
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
-
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 |
|
4 |
|
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) |
|
1-1-3 (CMOS write/read test failed) |
|
1-1-4 (BIOS EEPROM checksum failed) |
|
1-2-1 (Programmable Interval Timer failed) |
|
1-2-2 (DMA initialization failed) |
|
1-2-3 (DMA page register write/read failed) |
|
1-2-4 RAM refresh verification failed |
|
1-3-1 (1st 64K RAM test failed) |
|
1-3-2 (1st 64K RAM parity test failed) |
|
2-1-1 (Secondary DMA register failed) |
|
2-1-2 (Primary DMA register failed) |
|
2-1-3 (Primary interrupt mask register failed) |
|
2-1-4 (Secondary interrupt mask register failed) |
|
2-2-1 (Interrupt vector loading failed) |
|
2-2-2 (Keyboard controller failed) |
|
2-2-3 (CMOS power failure and checksum checks failed) |
|
2-2-4 (CMOS configuration info validation failed) |
|
2-3-1 (Screen initialization failed) |
|
2-3-2 (Screen memory failed) |
|
2-3-3 (Screen retrace failed) |
|
2-3-4 (Search for video ROM failed) |
|
2-4-1 (Video failed, screen believed operable) |
|
3-1-1 (Timer tick interrupt failed) |
|
3-1-2 (Interval timer channel 2 failed) |
|
3-1-3 (RAM test failed above address 0FFFFH) |
|
3-1-4 (Time-Of-Day clock failed) |
|
3-2-1 (Serial port failed) |
|
3-2-2 (Parallel port failed) |
|
3-2-3 (Math coprocessor failed) |
|
3-2-4 (Failure comparing CMOS memory size against actual) |
|
3-3-1 |
See "Memory Settings" in your server's Hardware Maintenance Manual (HMM). |
3-3-2 (Critical SMBUS error occurred) |
|
Three Short Beeps |
|
One Continuous Beep |
|
Repeating Short Beeps |
|
One Long and One Short Beep |
|
One Long and Two Short Beeps |
|
Two Long and Two Short Beeps |
|
No Beep Symptoms
|
|
---|---|
No Beep Symptom:
|
FRU/Action:
|
No beep and the system operates correctly. |
|
No Beeps occur after successfully completing POST (The Power-On Status is disabled.) |
|
No AC power (Power supply AC LED is off) |
|
No beep and no video |
|
System will not power-up (Power supply AC LED is on) |
|
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.
Need more help?
- Software and device driver downloads
- CRU parts installation and removal movies
- Tools and utilities
- Hardware Maintenance Manuals (HMM) index
- IBM ServerProven compatibility
Document Location
Worldwide
Was this topic helpful?
Document Information
Modified date:
28 January 2019
UID
ibm1MIGR-40411