Running stand-alone diagnostics from CD or DVD on a stand-alone IBM i server without a management console attached

Learn how to run the stand-alone diagnostics on a stand-alone IBM® i system that does not have a management console attached.

Before you begin

Ensure that you have the following items before you start this procedure:
  • ASCII terminal
  • Serial cable that is equipped with a null modem
  • CD or DVD drive
  • AIX® stand-alone diagnostics CD or DVD

Procedure

To run AIX stand-alone diagnostics, you must reset server firmware settings and configure an AIX partition. Complete the following steps:

  1. Power off the system. For instructions, see Stopping a system.
  2. To access the ASMI by using an ASCII serial terminal connection or emulation, perform the Accessing the ASMI by using an ASCII terminal procedure, but do not change the time of day or set the system boot mode.
  3. Select the System Service Aids option.
  4. Select the Factory Configuration option.
  5. Select the Reset server firmware settings option. Confirm the operation. Then, return to the System Service Aids display.
  6. Insert the AIX stand-alone diagnostics media into the CD or DVD drive.
  7. From the System Service Aids screen, select the Log Out option.
  8. Press Enter on the ASCII terminal or emulation.
  9. When the login display appears for the ASMI, enter the ASMI admin user ID and password.
  10. Select the Power/Restart Control option.
  11. Select the Power On/Off System option. Then, select the following settings:
    • Firmware boot side for the next boot: Temporary
    • System operating mode: Manual
    • AIX/ Linux® partition mode boot: Boot to SMS Menu
    • Server firmware start policy: Running (Auto-Start Always)
    • System power off policy: Automatic
    • i5/OS partition mode boot: D
    • Default Partition Environment: AIX
  12. Select the Power on option.
  13. When the SMS menu is displayed, select the CD or DVD drive with the AIX stand-alone diagnostics media to be the boot source.
    Note: To return the system to a stand-alone IBM i server, repeat steps 3 through 12. In step 6, insert an I_BASE media. In step 11, use the Default Partition Environment: IBM i setting.