Using the control panel to perform a system dump

If your next level of support or your service provider suspects a wait or loop in the server firmware, they might request that you perform a system dump. If you do not have an HMC, you can use the control panel to perform a system dump, which is a collection of data from the server hardware and firmware.

Use this procedure only under the direction of your next level of support or your service provider, after first providing to your next level of support or service provider a dump of the operating system (for example, a main storage dump for i5/OS(R)).

If you do not have an HMC, follow these steps to perform a system dump:

  1. Perform a controlled shutdown of the operating system.
    Note:
    A platform system dump with abnormally terminate any running partitions.
  2. On the control panel, select Manual mode.
  3. Use the increment or decrement buttons to select function 42 ( system dump).
  4. Press Enter on the control panel.
  5. Is 00000000 or FF displayed on the control panel for more than 30 seconds?
  6. Perform the following steps:
    1. Reselect function 42 and press Enter on the control panel.
    2. Switch back to Normal mode and wait for the dump to complete.
    3. Wait for the system to IPL again.
  7. For details on how to copy, report, or delete a dump after you have completed a dump, refer to Managing dumps.