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AIX Version 4.3 Problem Solving Guide and Reference

Load a Diagnostics Program

Load a diagnostics program by:

Checking Your Operating System

Confirm that your system can start the diagnostics.

Is your operating system accepting commands?

Yes Go to the next step, "Choosing Which Diagnostics to Run".
No Attempt to execute the shutdown command to stop the operating system. When complete or if your system is hung, switch off your system's power. Go to "Loading the Standalone Diagnostics in Service Mode".

Choosing Which Diagnostics to Run

Concurrent diagnostics can test many resources while your operating system is running and other users are using the system. Online Diagnostics in Service Mode, however, can isolate and test problems more thoroughly than the concurrent method, but only the diagnostics can be running during this testing.

Do you want to run the Online Diagnostics in Service Mode?

Yes Use the shutdown command to stop your operating system, and then switch off your system's power. Go to "Loading the Online Diagnostics in Service Mode".
No Go to the next step, "Running the Online Diagnostics in Concurrent Mode".

Running the Online Diagnostics in Concurrent Mode

Run the concurrent diagnostic program by doing the following:

  1. Enter the diag command to start the diagnostics.

    Note: You must have root user authority to use the diag command.

  2. Wait about 3 minutes for the DIAGNOSTIC OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS screen to appear.
  3. Does the DIAGNOSTIC OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS screen show correctly on your console display?
    Yes Press the Enter key to continue with your diagnostics test. The FUNCTION SELECTION screen appears after you press the Enter key. Go to "Choose Test Options" to continue.

    Note: If the FUNCTION SELECTION screen does not appear after you press the Enter key, you might have a problem with your keyboard. (If you have a tty, you may need to press a key other than your Enter key.) Go to "Identifying Your Keyboard" to continue.

    No Use the shutdown command to stop the operating system, and then switch off your system's power. Go to "Loading the Online Diagnostics in Service Mode".

Loading the Online Diagnostics in Service Mode

Note: The Online Diagnostic in Service Mode method, while more thorough than the concurrent method, may not allow you to test either your system disk or your SCSI adapter. If not, go to "Loading the Standalone Diagnostics in Service Mode" for a more comprehensive test.

Load the Online Diagnostics using the following steps:

  1. Stop your system with the shutdown command.
  2. Switch off your system's power.
  3. If your system has a Mode Switch, set the Mode Switch to the Service position.
  4. Switch on the power for all attached devices.
  5. Switch on your system's power.
  6. If your system does NOT have a Mode Switch, then do the following:
    1. When the first device icon or mnemonic displays, press the F6 key on the direct attached keyboard or 6 on the tty keyboard.
    2. Enter the password if the password icon or prompt appears.
  7. Watch for symptoms, messages, or instructions on your console display.
  8. If the Maintenance Menu is displayed, select System Boot, then Boot Form List, then continue with this step.
  9. Follow any instructions to select a console.
  10. Go to "Respond to Diagnostic Instructions or Messages". Find your symptom or message and follow the instructions.

Loading the Standalone Diagnostics in Service Mode

Note: You can use a tty terminal to run standalone diagnostics. Check for the following conditions before loading the diagnostics:

Load the diagnostics by doing the following:

  1. Stop your system with the shutdown command.
  2. Switch off your system's power.
  3. If your system has a Mode Switch, set your system's Mode Switch to the Service position.
  4. Switch on the power for all attached devices.
  5. Switch on your system's power.
  6. Insert the Standalone Diagnostics in the proper drive.

    Note: Step 7 is for diskette users only. Other users should continue with Step 8.

  7. Insert the next diskette when the c07 code shows in the operator panel display. Continue inserting diskettes (wait for the c07 code each time) until the first diagnostics screen shows on your console display.

    Go to "Responding to Diagnostic Instructions or Messages" if your system does not show the c07 code. Find your symptom and follow the instructions.

  8. If your system does NOT have a Mode Switch, then do the following:
    1. When the first device icon or mnemonic displays, press the F6 key on the direct attached keyboard or 6 on the tty keyboard.
    2. Enter the password if the password icon or prompt appears.
  9. If the Maintenance Menu is displayed, select System Boot, then Boot Form List, then continue with this step.
  10. Respond to screen messages, followed by the Enter key. The diagnostics program defines your system console and shows the DIAGNOSTIC OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS screen.
  11. Press the Enter key to continue. The diagnostics program shows the FUNCTION SELECTION screen.
  12. Select the Initialize Terminal option from the menu on the FUNCTION SELECTION screen.
  13. Enter your terminal type. The diagnostics program initializes your system environment and shows the FUNCTION SELECTION screen again.
  14. Go to "Choose Test Options" for information about continuing with your diagnostic tests.

Responding to Diagnostic Instructions or Messages

Did your system stop with a blank operator panel display and did the DIAGNOSTIC OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS screen appear with no obvious problem on the screen (the text is not distorted and blurred)?

Yes Press the Enter key to continue with your diagnostic tests. The FUNCTION SELECTION screen appears after you press the Enter key. Go to "Choose Test Options" to continue with your diagnostic tests.
No If the appearance of the DIAGNOSTIC OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS screen is either bad (distorted or unreadable) or blank, you might have a problem with your display console. Go to "Identifying Your Console Display" for directions on correcting your display problem. If identifying your console display does not correct the problem, record and report SRN 111-121 to your service representative.

If the Maintenance Menu is displayed, select System Boot, then Boot Form List, then continue with this step.

If the FUNCTION SELECTION screen does not appear after you press the Enter key, you might have a problem with your keyboard. Go to "Identifying Your Keyboard" to find the SRN you use to report your keyboard problem.

For all other problems refer to your system guide.


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