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Observable problems

Use this information to solve observable problems.

The server immediately displays the POST Event Viewer when it is turned on​

Complete the following steps until the problem is solved.

  1. Correct any errors that are indicated by the system LEDs and diagnostics display.

  2. Make sure that the server supports all the processors and that the processors match in speed and cache size.

    You can view processor details from system setup.

    To determine if the processor is supported for the server, see Lenovo ServerProven website.

  3. (Trained technician only) Make sure that processor 1 is seated correctly.

  4. (Trained technician only) Remove processor 2 and restart the server.

  5. Replace the following components one at a time, in the order shown, restarting the server each time:

    1. (Trained technician only) Processor

    2. (Trained technician only) System board (system board assembly)

Server is unresponsive (POST is complete and operating system is running)​

Complete the following steps until the problem is solved.

  • If you are in the same location as the server, complete the following steps:

    1. If you are using a KVM connection, make sure that the connection is operating correctly. Otherwise, make sure that the keyboard and mouse are operating correctly.

    2. If possible, log in to the server and verify that all applications are running (no applications are hung).

    3. Restart the server.

    4. If the problem remains, make sure that any new software has been installed and configured correctly.

    5. Contact your place of purchase of the software or your software provider.

  • If you are accessing the server from a remote location, complete the following steps:

    1. Make sure that all applications are running (no applications are hung).

    2. Attempt to log out of the system and log back in.

    3. Validate the network access by pinging or running a trace route to the server from a command line.

      1. If you are unable to get a response during a ping test, attempt to ping another server in the chassis to determine whether it is a connection problem or server problem.

      2. Run a trace route to determine where the connection breaks down. Attempt to resolve a connection issue with either the VPN or the point at which the connection breaks down.

    4. Restart the server remotely through the management interface.

    5. If the problem remains, verify that any new software has been installed and configured correctly.

    6. Contact your place of purchase of the software or your software provider.

Server is unresponsive (POST failed and cannot start System Setup)​

Configuration changes, such as added devices or adapter firmware updates, and firmware or application code problems can cause the server to fail POST (the power-on self-test).

If this occurs, the server responds in either of the following ways:

  • The server restarts automatically and attempts POST again.

  • The server hangs, and you must manually restart the server for the server to attempt POST again.

After a specified number of consecutive attempts (automatic or manual), the server reverts to the default UEFI configuration and starts System Setup so that you can make the necessary corrections to the configuration and restart the server. If the server is unable to successfully complete POST with the default configuration, there might be a problem with the processor board or system I/O board. Do the following:

  1. Remove any newly added devices and revert the system to the default hardware configuration.

  2. Try to restart the system and check if it can boot to the System Setup successfully.

    • If no, do the following:

      1. Replace the processor board.

      2. Replace the system I/O board.

    • If yes, try to move the suspected device to another system under test (SUT).

      • If the SUT system works normally, the issue maybe is caused by the processor board or system I/O board.

      • If the SUT system works abnormally, there might be a problem with the suspected device.

  3. If all the suspected parts are isolated and the issue still remains unchanged, please run the affected system to be minimum configuration for further detail issue isolation and add them back step by step.

Voltage planar fault is displayed in the event log​

Complete the following steps until the problem is solved.

  1. Revert the system to the minimum configuration. See Specifications for the minimally required number of processors and DIMMs.

  2. Restart the system.

    • If the system restarts, add each of the removed items one at a time and restart the system each time until the error occurs. Replace the item for which the error occurs.

    • If the system does not restart, suspect the processor board first and then the system I/O board.

Unusual smell​

Complete the following steps until the problem is solved.

  1. An unusual smell might be coming from newly installed equipment.
  2. If the problem remains, contact Lenovo Support.

Server seems to be running hot​

Complete the following steps until the problem is solved.

Multiple servers or chassis:

  1. Make sure that the room temperature is within the specified range (see Specifications).

  2. Make sure that the fans are installed correctly.

  3. Update the UEFI and XCC to the latest versions.

  4. Make sure that the fillers in the server are installed correctly (see Hardware replacement procedures for detailed installation procedures).

  5. Use the IPMI command to ramp up the fan speed to the full fan speed to see whether the issue can be resolved.

    Note
    The IPMI raw command should only be used by trained technician and each system has its own specific PMI raw command.
  6. Check the management processor event log for rising temperature events. If there are no events, the server is running within normal operating temperatures. Note that you can expect some variation in temperature.

Cracked parts or cracked chassis​

Contact Lenovo Support.