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General problem determination procedures

Use the information in this section to resolve problems if the event log does not contain specific errors or the server is inoperative.

If you are not sure about the cause of a problem and the power supplies are working correctly, complete the following steps to try to resolve the problem:

  1. Check in Setup Utility and make sure all the installed components are enabled.

  2. Make sure the firmware of the installed components are the latest version.

  3. Turn off the server.

  4. Ensure that the server is cabled correctly.

  5. Remove or disconnect the following devices if applicable, one at a time, until you find the failure. Turn on and configure the server each time you remove or disconnect a device.

    • Any external devices

    • Surge-suppressor device (on the server)

    • Printer, mouse, and non-Lenovo devices

    • Each adapter

    • Storage drives

    • One memory module at a time until you reach the minimum configuration that is supported for the server

    Note
    The minimum configuration required for the server to start is one processor and one 4 GB DIMM.

  6. Turn on the server.

  7. Listen to the POST error beeps.

    Table 1. POST error beeps
    BeepError description
    Two short onesThere is one or more POST error.
    Three short one followed by one long oneNo memory is detected by the system.
    Two long one followed by three short onesNo video adapter is detected by the system.
    Four long ones
    Note
    A short beep lasts about 0.5 second, while a long one lasts about one second.

If the problem is solved after an adapter is removed from the server, but recurs after it is reinstalled, suspect the adapter. If the problem recurs when the adapter is replaced with a different one, try the original adapter in a different PCIe slot.

If the problem appears to be a networking one while the server passes all system diagnostics, suspect a network cabling problem that is external to the server.

  • List of POST error messages
    See this section for the list of POST error and related information.
  • Resolving suspected power problems
    Power problems can be difficult to solve. For example, a short circuit can exist anywhere on any of the power distribution buses. Usually, a short circuit will cause the power subsystem to shut down because of an overcurrent condition.
  • Resolving suspected Ethernet controller problems
    The method that you use to test the Ethernet controller depends on which operating system you are using. See the operating-system documentation for information about Ethernet controllers, and see the Ethernet controller device-driver readme file.