HMC diagnostics

Learn to use the HMC diagnostics when determining the state of or capability of a component found in the HMC to perform its functions.

If a problem is determined to be in your HMC, read, understand, and then perform the procedures found in this topic.

The HMC problem analysis procedure will guide you to the appropriate repair action. Occasionally, you will be directed to the maintenance documentation for the HMC base server. When this occurs, the maintenance documentation for the server is used to complete the repair action.

HMC system reference code

System reference codes (SRCs) are the foundation of the Hardware Management Console diagnostics.

All SRCs, also know as error codes, that pertain to the function of the HMC can be found in System reference codes (Cxxx-Hxxx).

HMC connection error codes are 6 digits in length and begin with a 0, all other HMC error codes are 8 digits in length and begin with the alphabetic characters HSC. The HMC error codes are organized in the following categories:
  • 0xxxxx connection error codes
  • HSCExxxx console events error codes
  • HSCFxxxx Licensed Internal Code error codes
  • HSCIxxxx Inventory Scout Services error codes
  • HSCLxxxx partition and system management error codes
  • HSCPxxxx platform management error codes
  • HSCSxxxx Service Focal Point error codes

Equivalent maintenance information for the HMC server hardware

Use the information provided to help cross-reference your HMC equivalent machine type and model number for the base server. You can use the entries in this table to link directly to the base server maintenance documentation.

Table 1. Equivalent maintenance information for server hardware used for each HMC model
HMC machine type and model number (available on the serial number plate of your HMC) Equivalent server machine type and model number Hardware maintenance manuals (HMM)
7042-C08 7327 Model PAA See Problem determination and service guide
7042-CR5 7946 Model 52U or 7946 Model PAL See Problem determination and service guide
7042-CR6 7944 Model PCH See Problem determination and service guide
7042-CR7 and 7042-CR8 7914 Model PCH See Problem determination and service guide
7042-CR9 5463 Model AC1 See Problem determination and service guide
For the latest information regarding maintenance of your HMC server, system board specifications, and parts, see server hardware maintenance manuals. To obtain the latest versions of these publications, complete the following steps:
  1. Go to the IBM® Support Portal.
  2. In the Product finder field, type the equivalent server machine type and model number that corresponds to your HMC machine type and model number. Then, press enter.
  3. Select the product that matches your equivalent server machine type and model. Click Operating system independent. Then, click Go.
  4. In the product support content area, click Troubleshooting documentation.
  5. Select the problem determination and service guide.

Diagnostics, test, and recovery

Describes some of the diagnostic tools available for use on your HMC hardware related problems.

Choose from one of the following procedures to help in diagnosing a hardware related problem.

  • Power-on self-test (POST)
  • Sector disk drive scanning procedure

    To do a scan of your HMC disk drive, do the following:

    1. Power® off the HMC.
    2. Power on the HMC.
    3. As the HMC is rebooting, watch the HMC display. After the second BroadCom Ethernet driver screen is displayed, press CTRL+A.
    4. From the list of options, select Disk Utilities.
    5. Select Verify Disk Media. The HMC will perform a scan of your disk drive.
  • Dynamic System Analysis
    Note: For more information about Dynamic System Analysis, see Diagnostic tools.

Connector and hard disk drive restrictions for the HMC

Identifies the connector and disk drive restriction found on your HMC.

Model 7042-CR5 have the following two hard disk drive restrictions:
  • Use of the parallel port
    Note: The HMC is a closed system and as such, the hardware is used in a limited manner. No device drivers or code support any peripheral devices that use a parallel port.
  • Use of more than one hard disk drive
To view the location of each HMC connector, see Cabling the HMC.
Parent topic: Hardware Management Console service (Machine Type 7042)


Last updated: Wed, September 22, 2021