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Light path diagnostics

Light path diagnostics is a system of LEDs on various external and internal components of the server that leads you to the failed component. When an error occurs, LEDs are lit along the path of the front panel, the light path diagnostics panel, then on the failed component. By viewing the LEDs in a particular order, you can often identify the source of the error.

When LEDs are lit to indicate an error, they remain lit when the server is turned off, provided that the server is still connected to power and the power supply is operating correctly.

Before you work inside the server to view light path diagnostics LEDs, read the safety information Safety and Handling static-sensitive devices.

If an error occurs, view the light path diagnostics LEDs in the following order:

  1. Look at the operator information panel on the front of the server.
    • If the check log LED is lit, it indicates that information about an un-isolated fault condition in the server is available in the IMM event log or in the system-event log.
    • If the system-error LED is lit, it indicates that an error has occurred; go to 2.
    The following illustration shows the operator information panel.
    Figure 1. Operator information panel
    Operator information panel
  2. Remove the server cover and look inside the server for lit LEDs. Certain components inside the server have LEDs that are lit to indicate the location of a problem.
    Note
    You do not have to remove the server cover to view the LEDs on hard disk drives and power supplies.
    The following illustration shows the LEDs on the system board.
    Figure 2. System board error LEDs
    System-board error LEDs