Running the online diagnostics

If you have AIX(R) installed and it can be started, use this procedure to perform diagnostic procedures when directed from another procedure or by your next level of support.

When you run online diagnostics, keep the following in mind:

Three modes are available for running the online diagnostics:

Running the online diagnostics in service mode

Use this procedure to run the online diagnostics in service mode.

Using service mode will check everything except the SCSI adapter and the disk drives used for paging. However, memory and processor are only tested during POST. Running in service mode ensures that the error state of the system that has been captured in NVRAM is available for your use in analyzing the problem.

Running the online diagnostics in service mode with an HMC attached

Use this procedure to run the online diagnostics in service mode with an HMC attached.

Perform the following steps:

  1. Stop all programs including the AIX operating system. For details, see Start or stop the system.
  2. From the HMC, right-click Partition Manager and select Open Terminal Window.
  3. From the Service Processor Menu on the VTERM, select option 2 (System Power Control).
  4. Select option 6.
  5. Verify that the state changes to currently disabled. Disabling fast system boot automatically enables slow boot.
  6. Select option 98 to exit the system power control menu.
  7. From the HMC, start the managed system in a full system partition by following these steps:
    1. In the Contents area, select the managed system.
    2. Right-click, and select Power On.
  8. Select Power on Diagnostic Stored Boot list.
  9. Make sure that there is no media in the devices in the media subsystem.
  10. Enter any passwords, if requested.
  11. When the Diagnostic Operating Instructions screen displays, follow the online instructions to check the desired resources.
    Note:
    If you do not receive the Diagnostic Operating Instructions display, try to run the standalone diagnostics. For details, see Running the eServer stand-alone diagnostics from CD-ROM.
  12. When finished, contact your next level of support or your hardware service provider with any information you received during the diagnostics, including service request numbers (SRNs).
Running the online diagnostics in service mode without an HMC attached

Use this procedure to run the online diagnostics in service mode without an HMC attached.

Perform the following steps:

  1. Stop all programs including the AIX operating system. For details, see Start or stop the system.
  2. Remove all tapes, diskettes, and CDs.
  3. Turn off the system unit power.
  4. Turn on the system unit power.
  5. After the keyboard POST indicator displays on the firmware console, and before the last POST indicator (speaker) displays, press 6 on the keyboard or ASCII terminal to indicate that a service mode boot should be initiated using the customized service mode boot list.
  6. Enter any passwords, if requested.
  7. When the Diagnostic Operating Instructions screen displays, follow the online instructions to check the desired resources.
    Note:
    If you do not receive the Diagnostic Operating Instructions display, try to run the standalone diagnostics. For details, see Running the eServer stand-alone diagnostics from CD-ROM.
  8. When finished, contact your next level of support or your hardware service provider with any information you received during the diagnostics, including service request numbers (SRNs).

Running the online diagnostics in maintenance mode

Use this procedure to run the online diagnostics in maintenance mode.

Maintenance mode requires that all activity on the logical partition running the AIX operating system be stopped so that the online diagnostics have most of the resources available. All of the system resources, except the SCSI adapters, memory, processor, and the disk drive used for paging can be checked.

Perform the following steps to run the online diagnostics in maintenance mode:

  1. Stop all programs running on the logical partition except the AIX operating system.
  2. Log in to the AIX operating system as root user or use CE login.
  3. Type the shutdown -m command to stop all activity on the AIX operating system and put it into maintenance mode.
  4. When a message indicates that the system is in maintenance mode, enter the diag command to invoke the diagnostic controller so you can run the diagnostics.
    Note:
    It might be necessary to set TERM type again.
  5. Enter any passwords, if requested.
  6. When the Diagnostic Operating Instructions screen displays, follow the online instructions to check the desired resources.
    Note:
    If you do not receive the Diagnostic Operating Instructions display, try to run the standalone diagnostics. For details, see Running the eServer stand-alone diagnostics from CD-ROM.
  7. When finished, press Ctrl+D to log off from root user or CE login.
  8. Contact your next level of support or your hardware service provider with any information you received during the diagnostics, including service request numbers (SRNs).This ends the procedure.

Running the online diagnostics in concurrent mode

Use this procedure to run the online diagnostics in concurrent mode.

Use concurrent mode to run online diagnostics on some of the system resources while the system is running normal activity.

Because the system is running in normal operation, the following resources cannot be tested in concurrent mode:

The following levels of testing exist in concurrent mode:

Share-test level
This level tests a resource while the resource is being shared by programs running in the normal operation. This testing is mostly limited to normal commands that test for the presence of a device or adapter.
Sub-test level
This level tests a portion of a resource while the remaining part of the resource is being used in normal operation. For example, you could test one port of a multiport device while the other ports are being used in normal operation.
Full-test level
This level requires the device to not be assigned or used by any other operation. This level of testing on a disk drive might require the use of the vary off command. Use the diagnostics display menus to allow you to vary off the needed resource.

Perform the following steps to run online diagnostics in concurrent mode:

  1. Log in to the AIX operating system as root user, or use CE login. If you need help, contact the system administrator.
  2. Enter the diag command to load the diagnostic controller, and display the online diagnostic menus.
  3. If requested, enter a password.
  4. When the Diagnostic Operating Instructions screen displays, follow the online instructions to check the desired resources.
    Note:
    If you do not receive the Diagnostic Operating Instructions display, try to run the standalone diagnostics. For details, see Running the eServer stand-alone diagnostics from CD-ROM.
  5. When testing is complete, press F3 to return to the Diagnostic Operating Instructions display.
  6. Press F3 again to return to the AIX operating system prompt.
  7. Vary on any resources that you varied off.
  8. Press Ctrl+D to log off from root user or CE login.
  9. When finished, contact your next level of support or your hardware service provider with any information you received during the diagnostics, including service request numbers (SRNs).