Running the stand-alone diagnostics from CD

If you have an AIX® operating system installed but it cannot be started, or if Linux is installed, you can run the diagnostics from CD.

You can run stand-alone diagnostics from CD with the power on or off.

To run diagnostics from CD with the system power on, perform the following steps:

  1. Inform the system administrator and system users that the system will be shut down.
  2. Stop all programs including the operating system.
  3. Insert the diagnostic CD in the CD drive.
  4. Restart the server.
  5. When the keyboard power-on self-test (POST) indicator (the word keyboard) is shown on the firmware console, and before the last POST indicator (the word speaker) is shown, press the 5 key on either the attached keyboard or the ASCII keyboard to boot to service mode using the default service mode boot list.
  6. Continue with Selecting testing options.
To run diagnostics from CD with the system power off, perform the following steps:
  1. Power the system on.
  2. Insert the diagnostic CD into the CD drive as soon as it can be opened.
    Note: The CD must be inserted before the keyboard POST indicator (the word keyboard) is shown on the firmware console.
  3. When the keyboard power-on self-test (POST) indicator (the word keyboard) is shown on the firmware console, and before the last POST indicator (the word speaker) is shown, press the 5 key on either the attached keyboard or the ASCII keyboard to boot to service mode using the default service mode boot list.
  4. Continue with Selecting testing options.
Parent topic: Running stand-alone diagnostics
Related concepts:
Using the problem reporting forms
Related information:
Stopping a system that is not managed by a Hardware Management Console

Selecting testing options

To select testing options, perform the following steps:

  1. When the Welcome display is shown, define the following items:
    • System console
    • Language to be used
    • Type of terminal
      Note: Depending on the terminal emulator selected, the function keys (Fn) might not work. In this case, use the Esc key and the number in the menus. For example, F3 means Esc+3.
  2. When the Diagnostics Operating Instructions are displayed, press Enter.
    Note: If you are unable to load the diagnostics to the point where the Diagnostic Operating Instructions display is shown, contact your next level of support or your hardware service provider.
  3. From the Function Select display, select one of the following actions:
    • If you want to run diagnostics in problem determination mode, continue with the next step.
    • If you want to run one of the service aids, go to step 10.
  4. Select Problem determination and press Enter.
  5. Check the list of resources that is displayed. Does the list of resources match what you know to be installed in your system or partition?
    • Yes: Continue with the next step.
    • No: Record any information you have about the missing resource and check to ensure that the missing resource is installed correctly. If you cannot correct the problem with a missing resource, replace the missing resource (contact your service provider if necessary). To test the available resources, continue with the next step.
  6. Select All Resources, or the specific resource or resources to be tested, and press F7 (Commit).
  7. Record the error information you receive during the diagnostics, including service request numbers (SRNs) and system reference codes (SRCs), to report the information to your service provider.
  8. When testing is completed, press F3 to return to the Diagnostic Operating Instructions display.
  9. Choose from the following options:
    • To continue testing, return to step 6.
    • To exit stand-alone diagnostics, select the exit function key from the menu and press Enter. Continue with step 17.
  10. Select Task Selection list and press Enter.
  11. To perform one of these tasks, select the Task Selection option from the Function Selection menu. After a task is selected, a resource menu might be presented that shows all resources supported by the task.
  12. From the Task selection list, select the service aid task that you want to perform, for example, update and manage system flash.
  13. Follow the instructions for the task selected on each display.
  14. Record the information you receive during the diagnostics, including SRNs, to report the information to your service provider.
  15. When testing is completed, press F3 to return to the Diagnostic Operating Instructions display.
  16. Choose from the following options:
    • To continue testing, return to step 12.
    • To exit stand-alone diagnostics, select the exit function key from the menu and press Enter. Continue with the next step.
  17. Remove the CD from the drive.
  18. When finished, contact your next level of support or your hardware service provider about the information you received during the diagnostics, including SRNs and missing resources.


Last updated: Thu, October 15, 2020