Digital Equipment VAX 4000 105A Guide

VAX4000Model105A/106A
Troubleshooting and Diagnostics
Information
Order Number: EK–515AA–TS. B01
MAY 1995
This manual describes the troubleshooting and diagnostic procedures that
you can use to solve basic problems with VAX 4000 Model 105A and Model
106A systems.
Digital Equipment Corporation
Maynard, Massachusetts

May 1995
Digital Equipment Corporation makes no representations that the use of its products in the
manner described in this publication will not infringe on existing or future patent rights, nor do
the descriptions contained in this publication imply the granting of licenses to make, use, or sell
equipment or software in accordance with the description.
Possession, use, or copying of the software described in this publication is authorized only
pursuant to a valid written license from Digital or an authorized sublicensor.
© Digital Equipment Corporation 1995. All Rights Reserved.
The postpaid Reader’s Comments forms at the end of this document request your critical
evaluation to assist in preparing future documentation.
The following are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation: DECnet, Digital, OpenVMS,
RRD42, RRD43, RX, ThinWire, TK, VAX, VAXcluster, VAX DOCUMENT, VT, and the
DIGITAL logo.
All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
S2852
This document was prepared using VAX DOCUMENT Version 2.1.

Contents
Preface ..................................................... v
1 Troubleshooting and Diagnosing Problems
1.1 Troubleshooting Procedure . . . ........................... 1–1
1.2 Using the Troubleshooting Table ......................... 1–2
2 Diagnostic Tests and Commands
2.1 Diagnostic Tests and Commands ......................... 2–1
2.1.1 Power-Up Tests ................................... 2–1
2.1.2 Self-Tests ........................................ 2–4
2.2 Contacting Digital™ Services. ........................... 2–8
Index
Examples
2–1 Show Configuration Command ........................ 2–4
2–2 Listing Diagnostics ................................ 2–5
Figures
2–1 Status LED Display ................................ 2–9
iii

Tables
1–1 Basic Troubleshooting .............................. 1–3
2–1 Status LED Display and Break Enable Meanings . . ....... 2–10
iv

Preface
This manual describes the troubleshooting and diagnostic procedures that you
can use to solve basic problems with VAX 4000 Model 105A/106A systems.
This manual is intended for people who have had some experience using
computers.
This manual has two chapters and an index.
See VAX 4000 Model 105A/106A Operator Information, EK–513AA–OP, for the
list of associated and related documents.
Conventions
The following conventions are used in this manual:
Convention Description
MONOSPACE Text displayed on the screen is shown in monospace type.
italic type Italic type emphasizes important information and indicates the
complete titles of manuals.
boldface type Boldface type in examples indicates user input. Boldface type in text
indicates the first instance of terms defined either in the text, in the
glossary, or both.
Note A note contains information that is of special importance to the user.
v

1
Troubleshooting and Diagnosing Problems
This chapter describes the troubleshooting procedure that you can use to solve
basic problems with VAX 4000 Model 105A and Model 106A systems.
1.1 Troubleshooting Procedure
If a problem occurs, you must first make sure that all the cables, loopback
connectors, and terminators are correctly connected and that the connectors
are not damaged, for example, the pins may be broken or short-circuited.
Follow these steps:
1. Shut down the operating system following the procedures described in the
operating system documentation.
2. Turn off the console terminal and all the peripheral devices such as
printers and modems.
3. Turn off all the expansion boxes.
4. Turn off the system unit.
5. Check that the following cables, if installed, are correctly connected at both
ends and that the connectors are not damaged:
• Console terminal cable (linking the console terminal to the system unit)
• Console terminal power cord
• System unit power cord
• Expansion box SCSI cables
• Expansion box Q–bus cables
• Expansion box DSSI cable(s)
• Expansion box power cords
• ThinWire™ Ethernet cable or standard Ethernet cable
Troubleshooting and Diagnosing Problems 1–1

6. Check that the following terminators, if installed, are correctly connected
and are not damaged:
• DSSI terminator(s)
• SCSI terminator
• ThinWire Ethernet terminator (T-connector and two terminators)
If you have correctly followed steps 1 to 5, the on/off switches on all
the components are set to the off (O) position, and you have solved any
problems caused by incorrectly connected cables or terminators.
7. Set the on/off switches on the following equipment to the on (|) position in
the following order:
a. Expansion boxes
b. Peripherals
c. Console terminal
d. System unit
The system responds with the power-up test display. If it does not, see
Section 1.2.
1.2 Using the Troubleshooting Table
Table 1–1 suggests the corrective actions for certain system problems. If you
have a problem with the system, follow these steps:
1. Write down the symptoms of the problem.
2. Check the Symptom column in Table 1–1 for a match.
3. Check the causes of the symptom in the Possible Cause column. If the
column lists more than one possible cause, check the possible causes and
their suggested solutions in the order listed.
4. Follow the advice in the Suggested Solution column.
5. See Section 2.2 if the problem persists.
1–2 Troubleshooting and Diagnosing Problems

Table 1–1 Basic Troubleshooting
Symptom Possible Cause Suggested Solution
System Problems
The system unit fan is off
or the power light is off. The power cord is not connected. The power cord
may be faulty. The power
socket may not be working.
Make sure that all the power cords
are connected correctly at both
ends. Try a power cord that works
or test the power socket with an
appliance that works.
The overload protection
circuitry of the power
supply may have shut down
because of an abnormal
condition on the power line.
Turn the system off and then turn
it back on.
The power supply unit
(PSU) is faulty. Contact your Digital services representative.
The power-up display does
not show after 20 seconds. The console terminal is plugged into port 0. The console only functions via port 3. Move connection to port 3.
The power cord is not
connected. The power cord
may be faulty. The power
socket may not be working.
Make sure that all the power cords
are connected correctly at both
ends. Try a power cord that works
or test the power socket with an
appliance that works.
The terminal fuse may have
blown. Replace the blown terminal fuse. See the terminal documentation.
The terminal settings may
be incorrect. See the VAX 4000 Model 105A /106A Operator Information
manual for the list of correct
terminal settings. See the terminal
documentation for information on
setting up the terminal.
The port to which the
terminal connects may be
faulty.
Try connecting the terminal to
another system. If this solution
works, the port to which the
terminal was connected is faulty. If
the terminal still does not operate,
it is faulty. In either case, contact
your Digital services representative.
(continued on next page)
Troubleshooting and Diagnosing Problems 1–3

Table 1–1 (Cont.) Basic Troubleshooting
Symptom Possible Cause Suggested Solution
System Problems
The terminal cable may be
faulty. Connect the terminal cable and the terminal to another system. If
the connected terminal works, the
console circuitry or MMJ connector
is faulty. Otherwise, the cable
is faulty. Contact your Digital
services representative.
The break/enable switch is
in the wrong position. Turn off the system unit. Set the break/enable switch to the down
position, then turn on the system
unit.
The power-up test display
contains unexpected
characters.
The terminal settings are
incorrect or the console
circuitry is faulty.
Make sure the terminal settings
are correct, then run the power-
up test again. If the terminal is
set correctly, contact your Digital
services representative.
The system fails to boot the
operating system. The system defaults are incorrectly set. Set the system defaults as described in the OpenVMS Factory
Installed Software User Guide, then
try booting the system again. If
the system still fails to boot, contact
your Digital services representative.
EF/RF-Series Integrated Storage Element (ISE) Problems1
A write error message is
displayed; the Write-Protect
button glows orange. For
EF/RF ISEs,
Mounted
wrtlck
displays when DCL
command SHOW
DEVICE DI is issued.
The ISE is write-protected. Press and release the Write-Protect
button. For EF/RF, remove Write-
Protect.
The fault indicator is lit or
blinking. The bus node ID plug is not installed. Install the appropriate plug.
Two or more devices have
the same node ID on the
same bus.
Make sure all devices and
controllers or adapters on the
same bus have unique IDs.
1Only RF3X drives are internal; all other RF-series drives are external.
(continued on next page)
1–4 Troubleshooting and Diagnosing Problems

Table 1–1 (Cont.) Basic Troubleshooting
Symptom Possible Cause Suggested Solution
EF/RF-Series Integrated Storage Element (ISE) Problems1
Problem in the controller or
ISE. If the Fault indicator stops blinking, the system may have
corrected itself. Run MDM. If the
Fault indicator remains lit, call
your Digital service representative.
A read error message
displayed; the Run/Ready
button is out.
ISE is not spun up. Press the Run/Ready button to
the in position. When the green
indicator lights, the ISE is available
for use.
RRD42 Compact Disc Drive Problems
The drive does not accept
the caddy. The disc is upside-down in the caddy or it is not placed
correctly in the caddy.
Remove the disc from the caddy
and reinsert it properly.
The system does not have
power. Set the system unit on/off switch to the on (|) position and press the
eject button again.
RRD43 Compact Disc Drive Problems
The drive does not accept
the disc. The disc is upside-down or not placed correctly in the
drive.
Remove the disc from the drive and
reinsert it properly.
The system does not have
power. Set the system unit on/off switch to the on (|) position and press the
eject button again.
1Only RF3X drives are internal; all other RF-series drives are external.
(continued on next page)
Troubleshooting and Diagnosing Problems 1–5

Table 1–1 (Cont.) Basic Troubleshooting
Symptom Possible Cause Suggested Solution
TZ30 Tape Drive Problems
The TZ30 green LED
flashes rapidly. The drive mechanism is faulty or the tape cartridge
is damaged.
Press and release the unload button
to clear the fault. If the LED
continues to flash, do not try to
remove the tape cartridge or use
the tape drive. Contact your Digital
services representative.
The TZ30 does not operate. The drive does not contain
a tape cartridge. Insert the tape cartridge and press the unload button.
The operate lever does not
slide. The tape cartridge is in use. Wait for the green LED to turn on and try again. If the problem
persists, do not use the drive.
Contact your Digital services
representative.
The operate lever does not
lock. The tape cartridge is not inserted correctly. Reinsert the tape cartridge. If the problem persists, contact your
Digital services representative.
The tape does not load. Press and release the unload
button. Wait for the green LED
to turn on before sliding the lever
and removing the tape. If the
LED flashes, contact your Digital
services representative.
The system cannot write to
the tape. The write-protect switch is in the write-protect
position.
If the write-protect LED is on,
remove the tape, reset the switch
and try writing to the tape again. If
the problem persists, contact your
Digital services representative.
The data read from the tape
cartridge is corrupted. The tape drive head may be dirty. See the VAX 4000 Model 105A /106A Operator Information
manual for information on cleaning
the drive head.
The tape does not eject. The tape is not rewound.
The operate lever is in the
lock position.
Follow the procedure for removing
a tape from the TZ30 described in
the VAX 4000 Model 105A/106A
Operator Information manual.
(continued on next page)
1–6 Troubleshooting and Diagnosing Problems

Table 1–1 (Cont.) Basic Troubleshooting
Symptom Possible Cause Suggested Solution
TLZ06/TLZ07 Cassette Tape Drive Problems
The system cannot write to
the cassette tape. The write-protect switch is in the write-protect
position.
If the write-protect LED is on,
remove the tape, reset the switch
and try writing to the tape again. If
the problem persists, contact your
Digital services representative.
The cassette tape is not
loaded. Load the cassette tape.
The write-protect LED
flashes. The tape drive heads are dirty or the tape is worn. Clean the drive heads (see the VAX 4000 Model 105A/106A
Operator Information manual).
If that doesn’t work, use a new
tape.
The data read from the
cassette tape is corrupted. The tape drive heads may be dirty. See the VAX 4000 Model 105A /106A Operator Information
manual for information on cleaning
the drive head.
TZK10/TZK11 Quarter Inch Cartridge (QIC) Tape Drive Problems
The data read from the QIC
tape is corrupted. The drive head is dirty. Clean the drive head. See the VAX 4000 Model 105A/106A Operator
Information manual.
The system cannot write to
the QIC tape. The write-protect switch is in the write-protect
position.
Remove the QIC tape, reset the
switch and try writing to the
QIC tape again. If the problem
persists, contact your Digital
services representative.
The system cannot read
from or write to the QIC
tape.
The QIC tape may be faulty. Remove the QIC tape. If the amber
LED turns off when you remove
the QIC tape, the tape is probably
faulty. Try a different QIC tape.
If the amber LED stays on or if
the problem persists, contact your
Digital services representative.
Troubleshooting and Diagnosing Problems 1–7

2
Diagnostic Tests and Commands
This chapter describes the diagnostic commands that you can use to solve
basic problems with VAX 4000 Model 105A and Model 106A systems. If you
need to contact Digital services for further assistance, this chapter also lists
the information that you must give to your Digital services representative, and
tells you where to find this information.
2.1 Diagnostic Tests and Commands
There are a number of diagnostic tests and commands that can help you to
isolate a problem with the system unit. These tests and commands are as
follows:
• Power-up tests
• Self-tests1
• Configuration display1
• Error display1
The following sections describe these tests and commands.
2.1.1 Power-Up Tests
The system runs the power-up tests each time you turn on the system. If the
system passes the tests, it responds with a display similar to the following
example:
1You can use these tests and commands in privileged console mode only if the console
security feature is enabled and the password is set. See the VAX 4000 Model
105A/106A Customer Technical Information manual for information on the console
security feature.
Diagnostic Tests and Commands 2–1

KA53-A Vn.n, VMB 2.14 !
Performing normal system tests. "
74..73..72..71..70..69..68..67..66..65..64..63..62..61..60..59..
58..57..56..55..54..53..52..51..50..49..48..47..46..45..44..43..
42..41..40..39..38..37..36..35..34..33..32..31..30..29..28..27..
26..25..24..23..22..21..20..19..18..17..16..15..14..13..12..11..
10..09..08..07..06..05..04..03..
Tests completed. #
>>> $
!
Central Processing Unit (CPU) Name, Firmware Version Number, and
Virtual Memory Boot (VMB) Version Number
" Read-Only Memory (ROM) based diagnostics countdown
# Status Message
$ Console Prompt
2–2 Diagnostic Tests and Commands

If SIMM_OD is not present or not plugged in correctly, the system responds
with a display similar to the following example:
KA53-A Vn.n, VMB 2.14
Performing normal system tests.
74..73..72..71..70..69..68..67..66..65..64..63..62..
!
? Test_Subtest_DC_88 Loop_Subtest=05 Err_Type=FF DE_NO_Memory_present.lis
Vec=0000 Prev_Errs=0000 P1=E04EE04E P2=00000000 P3=00000000 P4=00001006
P5=00000000 P6=7F337F7F P7=00000000 P8=00000000 P9=FFFF0000 P10=2006270C
r0=00000008 r1=21018000 r2=E04EE04E r3=80000000 r4=01000000 r5=04000000
r6=00000002 r7=00000000 r8=00000000 r9=20140758 r10=FFFFFFFE r11=FFFFFFFF
dser=0000 cesr=00000000 icsr=01 pcsts=F800 pcctl=FC00 cctl=00000006
bcetsts=03E0 bcedsts=0400 cefsts=00007E80 nests=00 mmcdsr=01FFFE40
mesr=00000000
Error: SIMM Set 0 (0A,0B,0C,0D), SSR = E04E "
SIMM_0A = 16MB SIMM_0B = 16MB SIMM_0C = 16MB SIMM_0D = 00MB ??
Total of 0MB, 0 good pages, 0 bad pages, 0 reserved pages
Normal operation not possible. #
>>>
! Error Message
" Error Summary
# Status Message
Diagnostic Tests and Commands 2–3

2.1.2 Self-Tests
Self-tests perform the same tests as the power-up tests except for one
difference; the power-up tests test all the devices in the system, whereas
the self-tests allow you to test a single device.
Execution of the SHOW CONFIG command produces the display showing the
failure of the device DZ, as shown in Example 2–1.
Example 2–1 Show Configuration Command
>>>SHOW CONF
KA53-A Vn.n, VMB 2.14
08-00-2B-2B-16-91
80MB
TstNbr DevNam Info
------ -------- --------------------------
0 CPU_BD OK
A8 MEMORY OK
E4 DZ ?? 001 0048 !
E0 SCSI OK
3-RZ24L 6-Adapter 7-RRD42
5F NI OK
5C DSSI OK
0 QBUS OK
E8 COMM OK
DSW41/42 2 CHANNEL V3.11-47
EC ASYNC OK
DHW41/2 V1.6
>>>
! Listing showing failure of DZ
If you encounter an error in the power-up test display or the show configuration
display, follow these specific steps:
1. Make sure that all the required cables and terminators are securely
connected to the proper ports by following the procedure described in
Section 1.1.
2. Run the self-test on each device that failed.
2–4 Diagnostic Tests and Commands

In the example in this section, the show configuration display shows the
the DZ device has failed. The self-test number for this device is E4. See
Example 2–2. Test E4 should be run by entering TE4at the console
prompt. If the error remains, show the test results to your Digital Services
representative.
To obtain a listing of the specific tests for the desired device, enter the
command shown in the display.
Example 2–2 Listing Diagnostics
>>>T9E
Test
# Address Name Parameters
___________________________________________________________________________
20053800 SCB
20054590 De_executive
30 200637BC Memory_Init_Bitmap *** mark_Hard_SBEs ******
31 20064094 Memory_Setup_CSRs **********
32 20064464 NMC_registers **********
33 20064600 NMC_powerup **
34 2005D0A4 SSC_ROM ***
35 20067394 B_Cache_diag_mode bypass_test_mask *********
37 200681C4 Cache_w_Memory bypass_test_mask *********
40 2006242C Memory_count_pages SIMM_set0 SIMM_set1 Soft_errs_allowed *****
41 200579C0 Board_Reset *
42 2005B56C Chk_for_Interrupts **********
46 200670D4 P_Cache_diag_mode bypass_test_mask *********
47 20063D7C Memory_Refresh start_a end incr cont_on_err time_seconds ***
48 20061558 Memory_Addr_shorts start_add end_add * cont_on_err pat2 pat3 ***
4A 200634E0 Memory_ECC_SBEs start_add end_add add_incr cont_on_err ******
4B 20061D78 Memory_Byte_Errors start_add end_add add_incr cont_on_err ******
4C 20062E90 Memory_ECC_Logic start_add end_add add_incr cont_on_err ******
4D 200613BC Memory_Address start_add end_add add_incr cont_on_err ******
4E 20061AF8 Memory_Byte start_add end_add add_incr cont_on_err ******
4F 20062628 Memory_Data start_add end_add add_incr cont_on_err ******
51 2005BA5C FPA **********
52 2005BED8 SSC_Prog_timers which_timer wait_time_us ***
53 2005C1A8 SSC_TOY_Clock repeat_test_250ms_ea Tolerance ***
54 2005B670 Virtual_Mode ********
55 2005C360 Interval_Timer *****
58 200602F0 SHAC_RESET port_number time_secs not_pres
59 2005F584 SGEC_LPBCK_ASSIST time_secs **
5C 2005FAEC SHAC bypass_test_mask *******
5F 2005E870 SGEC loopback_type no_ram_tests ******
(continued on next page)
Diagnostic Tests and Commands 2–5

Example 2–2 (Cont.) Listing Diagnostics
63 2005CF48 QDSS_any input_csr selftest_r0 selftest_r1 ******
80 200649FC CQBIC_memory bypass_test_mask *********
81 2005CBA8 Qbus_MSCP IP_csr ******
82 2005CD70 Qbus_DELQA device_num_addr ****
83 20058C70 QZA_Intlpbck1 controller_number ********
84 2005A328 QZA_Intlpbck2 controller_number *********
85 20057EE4 QZA_memory incr test_pattern controller_number *******
86 200583A0 QZA_DMA Controller_number main_mem_buf ********
90 2005BE54 CQBIC_registers *
91 2005BDE8 CQBIC_powerup **
99 200647D0 Flush_Ena_Caches dis_flush_VIC dis_flush_BC dis_flush_PC
9A 2005D1DC INTERACTION pass_count disable_device ****
9B 20064680 Init_memory ***
9C 2005D1A8 List_CPU_registers *
9D 2005DEC4 Utility Modify_CPU_type *********
9E 2005C518 List_diagnostics script_number *
9F 20060888 Create_A0_Script **********
C1 20057B90 SSC_RAM_Data *
C2 20057D68 SSC_RAM_Data_Addr *
C5 2005E770 SSC_registers *
C6 20057AD4 SSC_powerup *********
D0 20066C98 V_Cache_diag_mode bypass_test_mask *********
D2 20065220 O_Bit_diag_mode bypass_test_mask *********
DA 20067FE8 PB_Flush_Cache **********
DB 20065A18 Speed print_speed *********
DC 200642BC NO_Memory_present *
DD 200661FC B_Cache_Data_debug start_add end_add add_incr *******
DE 20065DB4 B_Cache_Tag_Debug start_add end_add add_incr *******
DF 20065614 O_BIT_DEBUG start_add end_add add_incr seg_incr ******
E0 20068498 SCSI environment reset_bus time_s *******
E1 20068578 SCSI_Utility environment util_nbr target_ID lun ******
E2 20068630 SCSI_MAP bypass_test addr_incr_data_tst ********
E4 200689D4 DZ ! environment *********
E8 20068B4C SYNC environment *********
E9 20068BF4 SYNC_Utility environment *********
EC 20068CAC ASYNC environment *********
Scripts
# Description
(continued on next page)
2–6 Diagnostic Tests and Commands