IBM System x3950 User manual

IBM System x3950 Ty pe 8878
and System x3950 ETy pe 8879
Problem Determination and Service Guide


IBM System x3950 Ty pe 8878
and System x3950 ETy p e 8879
Problem Determination and Service Guide


Note: Before using this information and the product it supports, read the general information in Appendix B, “Notices,” on page
163.
The most recent version of this document is available at http://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/support/xseries/index.html.
13th Edition (November 2006)
©Copyright International Business Machines Corporation 2006. All rights reserved.
US Government Users Restricted Rights –Use, duplication or disclosure restricted by GSA ADP Schedule Contract
with IBM Corp.

Contents
Safety ............................ vii
Guidelines for trained service technicians ............... viii
Inspecting for unsafe conditions ................. viii
Guidelines for servicing electrical equipment ............. viii
Safety statements ........................x
Chapter 1. Introduction ......................1
Related documentation ......................1
Notices and statements in this document ................2
Features and specifications .....................3
Server controls, LEDs, and connectors ................4
Front view ..........................4
Rear view ..........................6
Internal LEDs, connectors, and jumpers ................8
I/O board internal connectors and jumpers ..............8
Memory-card connectors.....................9
Memory-card LEDs .......................9
Microprocessor-board connectors and LEDs .............10
PCI-X board connectors ....................10
PCI-X board LEDs ......................11
SAS-backplane connectors ...................11
Chapter 2. Diagnostics .....................13
Diagnostic tools ........................13
POST ............................13
POST beep codes ......................14
Error logs ..........................19
POST error codes.......................21
Checkout procedure .......................35
About the checkout procedure ..................35
Performing the checkout procedure ................36
Checkpoint codes (trained service technicians only) ...........36
Troubleshooting tables ......................37
CD or DVD drive problems ...................37
General problems .......................38
Hard disk drive problems ....................38
Intermittent problems......................39
Keyboard, mouse, or pointing-device problems ............39
USB keyboard, mouse, or pointing-device problems ..........40
Memory problems .......................42
Microprocessor problems ....................43
Monitor problems .......................44
Optional-device problems ....................46
Power problems .......................47
Serial port problems ......................48
ServerGuide problems .....................49
Software problems ......................49
Universal Serial Bus (USB) port problems ..............50
Video problems........................50
Light path diagnostics ......................50
Remind button ........................52
Light path diagnostic LEDs ...................53
Power-supply LEDs .......................58
©Copyright IBM Corp. 2006 iii

Diagnostic programs, messages, and error codes ............60
Running the diagnostic programs .................60
Diagnostic text messages ....................61
Viewing the test log ......................61
Diagnostic error codes .....................61
Real Time Diagnostics ......................78
Recovering from aBIOS update failure ................78
System-error log messages ....................80
POST and SMI error messages...................92
Solving SCSI problems ..................... 104
Solving power problems ..................... 105
Solving Ethernet controller problems ................ 105
Solving undetermined problems .................. 106
Calling IBM for service ..................... 107
Chapter 3. Parts listing, Type 8878 and 8879 ............ 109
Server replaceable units ..................... 111
Power cords .........................113
Chapter 4. Removing and replacing server components ........117
Installation guidelines ......................117
System reliability guidelines ...................118
Working inside the server with the power on.............119
Handling static-sensitive devices .................119
Returning adevice or component.................119
Connecting the cables...................... 120
Removing and replacing Tier 1CRUs ................ 121
Adapter .......................... 121
DVD drive ......................... 122
Hot-swap fan ........................ 123
Hot-swap power supply .................... 124
Memory card and memory module (DIMM) ............. 126
Remote Supervisor Adapter II SlimLine .............. 129
ServeRAID-8i adapter ..................... 130
Top cover and bezel ..................... 131
Removing and replacing Tier 2CRUs ................ 132
Battery .......................... 132
I/O board ......................... 133
Operator information panel assembly ............... 135
PCI-X adapter guide ..................... 136
Power-supply structure .................... 137
SAS backplane ....................... 138
Removing and replacing FRUs .................. 139
Front-panel assembly ..................... 139
Microprocessor tray and microprocessor .............. 140
PCI-X board assembly .................... 145
PCI-X switch card assembly .................. 146
Power backplane ...................... 147
Scalability cartridge assembly .................. 149
Chapter 5. Configuration information and instructions ........ 151
Updating the firmware ...................... 151
Configuring the server ...................... 151
Using the ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD........... 151
Using the UpdateXpress program ................ 152
Using the Configuration/Setup Utility program ............ 152
iv IBM System x3950 Type 8878 and System x3950 EType 8879: Problem Determination and Service Guide

Installing and using the baseboard management controller utility programs 158
Using the SAS/SATA Configuration Utility program .......... 158
Configuring the Ethernet controller ................ 158
Using the PXE boot agent utility program.............. 159
Using the ServeRAID configuration programs ............ 159
Using the Scalable Partition Web Interface ............. 159
Appendix A. Getting help and technical assistance .......... 161
Before you call ........................ 161
Using the documentation ..................... 161
Getting help and information from the World Wide Web ......... 162
Software service and support ................... 162
Hardware service and support ................... 162
IBM Taiwan product service .................... 162
Appendix B. Notices ...................... 163
Trademarks.......................... 163
Important notes ........................ 164
Product recycling and disposal .................. 165
Battery return program ..................... 166
Electronic emission notices .................... 167
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) statement ........ 167
Industry Canada Class Aemission compliance statement ........ 167
Australia and New Zealand Class Astatement ............ 167
United Kingdom telecommunications safety requirement ........ 167
European Union EMC Directive conformance statement ........ 168
Taiwanese Class Awarning statement ............... 168
Chinese Class Awarning statement ................ 168
Japanese Voluntary Control Council for Interference (VCCI) statement 168
Index ............................ 169
Contents v

vi IBM System x3950 Type 8878 and System x3950 EType 8879: Problem Determination and Service Guide

Safety
Before installing this product, read the Safety Information.
Antes de instalar este produto, leia as Informações de Segurança.
Pred instalací tohoto produktu si prectete prírucku bezpecnostních instrukcí.
Læs sikkerhedsforskrifterne, før du installerer dette produkt.
Lees voordat udit product installeert eerst de veiligheidsvoorschriften.
Ennen kuin asennat tämän tuotteen, lue turvaohjeet kohdasta Safety Information.
Avant d’installer ce produit, lisez les consignes de sécurité.
Vor der Installation dieses Produkts die Sicherheitshinweise lesen.
Prima di installare questo prodotto, leggere le Informazioni sulla Sicurezza.
Les sikkerhetsinformasjonen (Safety Information) før du installerer dette produktet.
Antes de instalar este produto, leia as Informações sobre Segurança.
Antes de instalar este producto, lea la información de seguridad.
Läs säkerhetsinformationen innan du installerar den här produkten.
©Copyright IBM Corp. 2006 vii

Guidelines for trained service technicians
This section contains information for trained service technicians.
Inspecting for unsafe conditions
Use the information in this section to help you identify potential unsafe conditions in
an IBM product that you are working on. Each IBM product, as it was designed and
manufactured, has required safety items to protect users and service technicians
from injury. The information in this section addresses only those items. Use good
judgment to identify potential unsafe conditions that might be caused by non-IBM
alterations or attachment of non-IBM features or options that are not addressed in
this section. If you identify an unsafe condition, you must determine how serious the
hazard is and whether you must correct the problem before you work on the
product.
Consider the following conditions and the safety hazards that they present:
vElectrical hazards, especially primary power. Primary voltage on the frame can
cause serious or fatal electrical shock.
vExplosive hazards, such as adamaged CRT face or abulging capacitor.
vMechanical hazards, such as loose or missing hardware.
To inspect the product for potential unsafe conditions, complete the following steps:
1. Make sure that the power is off and the power cord is disconnected.
2. Make sure that the exterior cover is not damaged, loose, or broken, and
observe any sharp edges.
3. Check the power cord:
vMake sure that the third-wire ground connector is in good condition. Use a
meter to measure third-wire ground continuity for 0.1 ohm or less between
the external ground pin and the frame ground.
vMake sure that the power cord is the correct type, as specified in “Power
cords” on page 113.
vMake sure that the insulation is not frayed or worn.
4. Remove the cover.
5. Check for any obvious non-IBM alterations. Use good judgment as to the safety
of any non-IBM alterations.
6. Check inside the server for any obvious unsafe conditions, such as metal filings,
contamination, water or other liquid, or signs of fire or smoke damage.
7. Check for worn, frayed, or pinched cables.
8. Make sure that the power-supply cover fasteners (screws or rivets) have not
been removed or tampered with.
Guidelines for servicing electrical equipment
Observe the following guidelines when servicing electrical equipment:
vCheck the area for electrical hazards such as moist floors, nongrounded power
extension cords, power surges, and missing safety grounds.
vUse only approved tools and test equipment. Some hand tools have handles that
are covered with asoft material that does not provide insulation from live
electrical currents.
vRegularly inspect and maintain your electrical hand tools for safe operational
condition. Do not use worn or broken tools or testers.
viii IBM System x3950 Type 8878 and System x3950 EType 8879: Problem Determination and Service Guide