IBM System x3950 Type 8878 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.
15th Edition (July 2007)
©Copyright International Business Machines Corporation 2007. 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. Configuration information and instructions .........13
Updating the firmware ......................13
Configuring the server ......................13
Using the ServerGuide Setup and Installation CD ...........13
Using the UpdateXpress program .................14
Using the Configuration/Setup Utility program ............14
Installing and using the baseboard management controller utility programs 20
Using the SAS/SATA Configuration Utility program ...........20
Configuring the Ethernet controller.................20
Using the PXE boot agent utility program ..............21
Using the ServeRAID configuration programs.............21
Using the Scalable Partition Web Interface..............21
Chapter 3. Parts listing, Type 8878 and 8879 .............23
Server replaceable units .....................25
Power cords ..........................27
Chapter 4. Removing and replacing server components ........31
Installation guidelines ......................31
System reliability guidelines ...................32
Working inside the server with the power on .............33
Handling static-sensitive devices .................33
Returning adevice or component .................33
Connecting the cables ......................34
Removing and replacing Tier 1CRUs ................35
Adapter ..........................35
DVD drive..........................36
Hot-swap fan ........................37
Hot-swap power supply .....................38
Memory card and memory module (DIMM) .............40
Remote Supervisor Adapter II SlimLine ...............43
©Copyright IBM Corp. 2007 iii

ServeRAID-8i adapter .....................44
Top cover and bezel ......................45
Removing and replacing Tier 2CRUs ................46
Battery ...........................46
I/O board ..........................47
Operator information panel assembly................49
PCI-X adapter guide ......................50
Power-supply structure .....................51
SAS backplane ........................52
Removing and replacing FRUs ...................53
Front-panel assembly .....................53
Microprocessor tray and microprocessor ..............54
PCI-X board assembly .....................59
PCI-X switch card assembly ...................60
Power backplane .......................61
Scalability cartridge assembly ..................63
Chapter 5. Diagnostics .....................65
Diagnostic tools ........................65
POST ............................65
POST beep codes ......................66
Error logs ..........................71
POST error codes.......................73
Checkout procedure .......................87
About the checkout procedure ..................87
Performing the checkout procedure ................88
Checkpoint codes (trained service technicians only) ...........88
Troubleshooting tables ......................89
CD or DVD drive problems ...................89
General problems .......................90
Hard disk drive problems ....................90
Intermittent problems......................91
Keyboard, mouse, or pointing-device problems ............91
USB keyboard, mouse, or pointing-device problems ..........92
Memory problems .......................94
Microprocessor problems ....................95
Monitor problems .......................96
Optional-device problems ....................98
Power problems .......................99
Serial port problems ..................... 100
ServerGuide problems..................... 101
Software problems ...................... 101
Universal Serial Bus (USB) port problems ............. 102
Video problems ....................... 102
Light path diagnostics ...................... 102
Remind button ....................... 104
Light path diagnostic LEDs ................... 105
Power-supply LEDs .......................110
Diagnostic programs, messages, and error codes............112
Running the diagnostic programs .................112
Diagnostic text messages ...................113
Viewing the test log ......................113
Diagnostic error codes.....................113
Real Time Diagnostics...................... 130
Recovering from aBIOS update failure ............... 130
System-error log messages .................... 132
iv IBM System x3950 Type 8878 and System x3950 EType 8879: Problem Determination and Service Guide

POST and SMI error messages .................. 144
Solving SCSI problems ..................... 156
Solving power problems ..................... 157
Solving Ethernet controller problems ................ 157
Solving undetermined problems .................. 158
Calling IBM for service ..................... 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 169
Index ............................ 171
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. 2007 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 27.
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