Digital Equipment VAX 4000 Series Guide

VAX 4000
•
Troubleshooting and Diagnostics
Order Number: EK--386AA-T5-001

VAX 4000 Troubleshooting
and Diagnostics
Order Number EK-386AA-TS-001
digital equipment corporation
maynard, massachusetts

First Printing, March 1990
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and should not be
construed as a commitment by Digital Equipment Corporation.
Digital
Equipment Corporation assumes no responsibility for any errors that may appear in
this document.
The software, if any, described in this document is furnished under a license and may be used
or copied only in accordance with the terms of such license. No responsibility is assumed
for the use or reliability of software or equipment that is not supplied by Digital Equipment
Corporation or its affiliated companies.
Restricted Rights: Use, duplication or disclosure by the U.S. Government is subject to
restrictions as set forth in subparagraph (c)(l)(ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer
Software clause at DFARS 252.227-7013.
© Digital Equipment Corporation 1990. All rights reserved.
Printed in U.S.A.
The Reader's Comments form at the end of this document requests your critical evaluation to
assist in preparing future documentation.
The following are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation.
COMPACTape
DDCMP
DEC
DEC
direct
DECnet
DECserver
DEC system 5400
DECUS
DECwriter
DELNI
DELQA
DEQNA
DESTA
DSSI
!VIS
MicroVAX
PDP
Professional
Q-bus
ReGIS
RQDX
TbinWire
ULTRIX
UNmUS
VAX
VAX
4000
VAXcluster
VAX DOCUMENT
VAXELN
VAXlab
VMS
VT
~DmDDmDTU
FCC NOTICE: The equipment described in this manual generates, uses, and may emit radio
frequency energy. The equipment has been type tested and found to comply with the limits for
a ClassA computing device
pursuant to Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC Rules, which are designed
to provide reasonable protection against such radio frequency interfere:lce when operated in
a commercial environment. Operation of this equipment in a residential area may cause
interference, in which case the user at his own expense may be required to take measures to
correct the interference.
51284
This document was prepared using VAX DOCUMENT, Version 1.2.

Contents
Preface v
Chapter 1 Troubleshooting During Power-On
1.1 Autobooting the VAX 4000 System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
1.2 Troubleshooting Power-On Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Chapter 2 Troubleshooting During Normal Operation
Chapter 3 Running the MicroVAX Diagnostic Monitor (MDM)
3.1 Preparing to Run MDM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
3.1.1 Preparing to Run MDM on Diskless or Tapeless Systems. 3-2
3.1.2 Preparing to Run MDM on RF-Series ISA or Hard Disk.. 3-2
3.1.3 Preparing to Run MDM on a Dual-Host System. . . . . . .. 3-3
3.1.3.1 Preparing to Run MDM on a Dual-Host System with
One Tape Drive ............................... 3-3
3.1.3.2 Preparing to Run MDM on a Dual-Host System with
Two Tape Drives .............................. 3-4
3.2 Starting MDM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. ........... 3-5
3.2.1 TK70 Instructions ............................... 3-5
3.2.1.1 Booting MDM Manually. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3-5
3.2.1.2 Booting MDM Using Autoboot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3-6
3.3 MDM Introductory Screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
3.4 Main Menu Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . 3-7
3.4.1 Test the System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3--8
3.4.2 Display
System Configuration and Devices. . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
3.4.3 Display the System Utilities Menu .................. 3-12
3.4.3.1 IOADDRES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3-13
3.4.4 Update Drive Unit Number for RRD40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3-13
iii

3.4.5 Display the Connect/Ignore Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3-13
3.4.6 Select Single Device Tests ......................... 3-14
3.5 Exiting MDM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3-16
Appendix A VAX 4000 Controls and Indicators
Index
Figures
3-1 The Main Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3-7
3-2 Example of an Unsuccessful Test. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
3-3 System Configuration and Devices Screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3-10
3-4 Sample System Utilities Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3-13
3-5 The Single Device Tests Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3-14
3-6 Example of a Successful Test. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3-15
3-7 Example of an Unsuccessful Test. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3-15
A-l VAX 4000 Controls and Indicators-Sheet 1 of 2 . . . . . . . . .. A-2
A-2 VAX 4000 Controls and Indicators-Sheet 2 of2 . . . . . . . . .. A-3
Tables
1-1 Troubleshooting Power-On Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
2-1 Troubleshooting Operation Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2-1
Iv

Preface
Troubleshooting is the process of isolating and diagnosing problems with
your system. When your system does not operate as described in Operation,
use the information in this guide to diagnose the problem.
Using the diagram in Appendix A, follow the troubleshooting procedures
recommended
in this guide.
This manual contains three chapters:
• Chapter 1 describes problems you may experience at power-on and
corrective actions.
• Chapter 2 describes problems you may have during normal operation
of your system and corrective actions.
• Chapter 3 describes the MicroVAX. Diagnostic Monitor (MDM), a
diagnostic tool you
can use to test your system periodically or to isolate
a
particular problem.
• AppendixA contains a diagram showing the location of the controls and
indicators.
The troubleshooting techniques described in this manual do not identify all
possible problems
with your system, nor do the actions suggested remedy
all problems. If the actions suggested do not solve the problem, call your
Digital service representative.
NOTE: You will find a Glossary in the Operation manual to help with word
definitions
and acronyms.
v

Conventions
The following conventions are used in this book:
Convention
BOLD
NOTE
CAUfION
WARNING
vi
Meaning
A symbol denoting a terminal key used in text and examples in this book.
For example, ! Break! indicates that you press the Break key on your terminal
keypad. ! Return! indicates that you press the Return key on your terminal
keypad.
A symbol
indicating that you hold down the Ctrl key while you press the
Ckey.
This bold type indicates user input. For example:
»> BOOT MOAO
This line shows that the user must type BOOT MUAO at the console
prompt.
Provides general information about the current topic.
Provides information to prevent damage to equipment or software.
Provides information to prevent personal injury.

Chapter 1
Troubleshooting During Power-On
When you power on your system, the VAX. processor performs a series of
self-tests
and start-up routines. Aftersuccessful completion of the self-tests,
if the Break EnablelDisable switch is set to disable, the system attempts
to autoboot system software.
1.1 Autobooting the VAX 4000 System
The VAX. 4000 system attempts to boot automatically (autoboot) from a
specified drive
when you have entered the Set Boot command (SET BOOT
device name) from console mode. The system continues to boot from the
specified device each time it is powered on until you specify differently by
entering the Set Boot command again.
If you have not entered the Set Boot command, the system boots
automatically from the Ethernet port, EZAO.
1.2 Troubleshooting Power-On Problems
If you do not observe the correct power-on and boot sequence responses,
refer to the descriptions of problems and corrective actions in Table 1-1.
If the actions listed do not solve the problem, call your Digital service
representative.
NOTE: Table 1-1 occasionally recommends that you run MDM as a service
tool to help diagnose problems. Refer to Chapter 3 of this manual for
instructions on using MDM.
Troubleshooting During Power-On 1-1

Table 1-1: Troubleshooting Power-On Problems
Problem Possible Cause Corrective Action
Problems During Self-Tests
No response when the
power switch is turned
on (AC Present indica-
tor is not lit).
AC
Present indicator is
lit, DC OK is not lit.
The system has power
(AC Present indicator is
lit), but nothing displays
on the console terminal.
System is not plugged
in.
No power at the wall
outlet.
Circuit breaker(s) (which
is the power switch) has
tripped (is in position0).
Set the power switch to O. Plug in the
system. Set the power switch to 1.
Use a different wall outlet, or check the
circuit breaker controllingpower to the
wall outlet.
Set the power switch to position 1. If
the circuit breaker{s) trips again, call
your Digital service representative.
Power cable is incorrectly Set the power switch to O. Check that
installed. the cable is fully seated in the socket.
Power supply or module
failure.
Set the power switch to 1.
Call
your Digital service representa-
tive.
Console
terminal is turned Turn on the console terminal.
off.
Console terminal is off
line.
Console terminal cable
is incorrectly installed.
Console
terminal set-
up has not been done
correctly.
Baud rate setting of the
system and the terminal
do not match.
Power-On Mode switch
on the console module is
set to T.
Terminal is defective.
Put the terminal on line. Refer
to the terminal documentation for
instructions.
Make sure the cable is installed
properly at both ends.
Reread the section, Install the Console
Terminal,
in your Installation manual.
Set the terminal baud rate to match
the system. The normal operating
setting is 9600.
Set the switch to Run (indicated by an
arrow).
Turn off terminal and turn it on again
to see if it passes its self-tests. If it
fails self-tests, call your Digital service
representative.
1-2 VAX 4000 Troubleshooting and DiagnostiCS

Table 1-1 (Cont.): Troubleshooting Power-On Problems
Problem Possible Cause
The system has power Problem with CPU.
(AC Present and DC OK
indicators are lit), but
nothing is displayed on
the console terminal.
The system has power (DC Problem with CPU.
OK is lit), but nothing is
displayed on the console
terminal. The LED on
the console module dis-
plays an E or F.
The self-tests halted and
an error message or er-
ror summary displays on
the console terminal.
The system detected an
error while running its
self-tests.
Corrective Action
Call your Digital service representa-
tive.
Call your Digital service representa-
tive.
Copy
the number following the ques-
tion mark in the error message or sum-
mary and call your Digital service rep-
resentative.
The Language Selection
Menu does not appear.
The baud rate on the con- Check that the baud rate on the
sole terminal is different console terminal and on the system is
from the baud rate on set to 9600.
the system.
The terminal does not sup- Obtain a terminal that supports MCS.
port the multi-national
character set (MeS).
General Problems During Boot Sequence
The system returns to
the BOOT prompt after
four minutes.
Instead of automatically
starting, system power-
on results in >>> being
displayed on the console
terminal.
Sanity timer is enabled
on the DESQA module.
Break EnablelDisable
switch
is set to enable.
The system is in console
mode.
The message "154 No bootable media was
RETRY" is displayed twice found.
on the console terminal.
Disable sanity timer. Refer to DESQA
Option Installation Guide.
To autoboot, set the Break Enable!
Disable switch (located on the console
module) to disable (down). Reset the
system by pressing the Restart button,
located on the System Control Panel.
If you prefer to boot manually from
console mode, use the BOOT command
(»>BOOT device-name).
See actions listed in the subsequent
sections of this table for the boot device
you
are using.
Troubleshooting During Power-On 1-3