Using the IBM i service tools to copy a dump

You can use the IBM® i service tools to copy a platform or a main storage dump.

Choose from the following options:
Parent topic: Copying a dump

Copying a platform dump

Use this procedure to copy a platform dump with the IBM i service tools.
Note: If you have an management console, you must manage your platform dumps with the management console.
  1. On any command line, enter STRSST.
  2. Enter a valid service tools user ID and password.
  3. Select option 1 (Start a service tool).
  4. Select option 6 (Main storage dump manager). Did option 7 (Work with current platform dump) appear on the Main Storage Dump Manager display?
    • Yes: There is a current platform dump. Continue with the next step.
    • No: There is no current platform dump. A dump might have been automatically copied to the Auxiliary Storage Pool (ASP). Go to Reporting a dump.
  5. Select option 7 (Work with current platform dump).
  6. Select option 1 (Display summary). The Platform Dump Summary display shows the platform dump type, date and time of the dump, and reference code.
  7. Record the summary information and report it to your next level of support or your hardware service provider.
  8. Press F12 (Cancel).
  9. Select option 3 (Copy to ASP). The platform dump will be copied to disk storage. After the dump is copied, a message will be displayed indicating whether the copy completed.
  10. Did a message indicate "Copy completed normally"?
    • Yes: There no longer is an option 7 (Work with current platform dump) listed. This ends the procedure.
    • No: Continue with the next step.
  11. Has your next level of support or your hardware service provider requested a media copy of the platform dump?
    • Yes: Continue to the next step.
    • No: Work with your next level of support or your hardware service provider on the problem.
  12. If the copy to disk failed, copy a current platform dump to removable media by performing the following steps:
    1. Select option 2 (Copy to media).
    2. Load the media and follow the instructions on the display.
    3. When the copy procedure is successfully completed, remove the media and process it according to the instructions of your next level of support or your hardware service provider.
  13. If you encounter a problem with the copy procedure, contact your next level of support or your hardware service provider.

Copying a main storage dump

Use this procedure to manually copy an IBM i main storage dump during the main storage dump procedure.
Note: If the system has re-IPLed, you will need to use System Support Tools (SST) to copy the main storage dump to media. For details, see Using SST to access a main storage dump.
  1. From the Main Storage Dump Occurred display, press Enter.
    Note: Copying a main storage dump (MSD) to disk storage on the system prevents the MSD from being overwritten in the event that another MSD occurs.
  2. Select option 1 (Work with current main storage dump (MSD).
  3. Select option 1 (Display/Print).
  4. Select option 1 (MSD summary). The Main Storage Dump Summary display shows the system reference code, date and time of the MSD, and Licensed Internal Code level.
  5. Record the summary information and report it to your next level of support or your hardware service provider.
  6. Press F12 (Cancel) twice to return to the Work with Current Main Storage Dump display.
  7. Select option 3 (Copy to ASP).
  8. Type a dump description and then press Enter to start copying the dump. After the dump is copied, a message is displayed indicating whether the MSD copy completed.
  9. Did a message indicate "Copy completed normally"?
    • Yes: This ends the procedure.
    • No: Continue with the next step.
  10. Has your service provider requested a media copy of the MSD?
    • Yes: Continue to the next step.
    • No: Work with your next level of support or your hardware service provider on the problem.
  11. To copy a current MSD to a removable media, perform the following steps:
    1. Select option 2 (Copy to media).
    2. Load the media and follow the instruction on the display.
    3. When the copy procedure completes successfully, remove the media and process it according to your service provider's instructions. If you encounter a problem with the copy procedure, contact your next level of support or your hardware service provider.

Using SST to access a main storage dump

Use this procedure to view an IBM i main storage dump or copy the main storage dump to media using IBM i tools.
  1. On any command line, enter STRSST.
  2. Enter a valid service tools user ID and password.
  3. Select option 1 (Start a service tool).
  4. Select option 6 (Main storage dump manager).
  5. From the Main Storage Dump Manager display, select option 1 (Work with current main storage dump residue).
  6. Select option 1 (Display/Print).
  7. Select option 1 (MSD summary). The Main Storage Dump Summary display shows the system reference code, date and time of the MSD, and Licensed Internal Code (LIC) level.
  8. Record the summary information and report it to your next level of support or your hardware service provider.
  9. Press F12 (Cancel) twice to return to the Work with Copies of Main Storage Dumps.
  10. Has your service provider requested a media copy of the MSD?
    • Yes: Continue to the next step.
    • No: Work with your next level of support or your hardware service provider on the problem.
  11. To copy a current MSD to a removable media, perform the following steps:
    Note: On IBM i 7.2 or later, you can use the CPYFRMMSD command to copy the MSD and send it to IBM service. For instructions, see Copy From Main Storage Dump (CPYFRMMSD).
    1. Select option 8 (Copy to media) next to the main store dump that has been copied to the Auxiliary Storage Pool (ASP).
      Note: You might want to use option 7 to Rename the main storage dump. Renaming the MSD allows another MSD copy to occur.
    2. Load the media and follow the instruction on the display.
    3. When the copy procedure completes successfully, remove the media and process it according to your service provider's instructions. If you encounter a problem with the copy procedure, contact your next level of support or your hardware service provider.
  12. To exit SST, press F12 (Cancel) twice and press Enter.


Last updated: Thu, October 15, 2020