Diagnostic Tools Overview
Power-On Self-Test (POST)
When you turn on the server, it performs a series of tests to check the operation of
server components and some options. This series of tests is called the power-on
self-test, or POST.
POST does the following:
Checks the operation of some basic system-board operations
Checks the memory
Compares the current server configuration with the stored server configuration
information
Configures PCI adapters
Starts the video operation
Verifies that drives (such as the diskette, CD-ROM, and hard disk drives) are
connected properly
If you have a power-on password or administrator password set, you must type the
password and press Enter before POST will continue.
While the memory is being tested, the amount of available memory appears on the
screen. These numbers advance as the system progresses through POST and the
final number that appears on the screen represents the amount of memory
available. If POST finishes without detecting any problems, a single beep sounds
and the first screen of your operating system or application program appears.
If POST detects a problem, an error message appears on your screen. A single
problem can cause several error messages to appear. When this occurs, work to
correct the cause of the first error message. After the cause is corrected, the other
error messages probably will not appear the next time you turn on the system.
POST Beep Codes
POST generates beep codes to indicate successful completion or the detection of
an error.
One beep indicates successful completion of POST.
More than one beep indicates that POST detected an error. For more
information, see “Power-on Self-Test (POST) Beep Codes” on page 122.
Error Messages
Error messages indicate that a problem exists; they are not intended to be used to
identify a failing part. Troubleshooting and servicing of complex problems indicated
by error messages should be performed by a trained service technician.
Hardware error messages that occur can be text, numeric, or both. Messages
generated by your software generally are text messages, but they also can be
numeric.
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Netfinity 5000 Server Hardware Information and Procedures
