Identify a failing part using stand-alone eServer diagnostics

If the operating system is stopped or if you need to stop the system or logical partition to replace the failing part, use the procedure in this section to identify a failing part.

You can use stand-alone diagnostics to identify a failing part in a Linux® system, expansion unit, or logical partition. You access these diagnostics from a CD-ROM or from the Network Installation Management (NIM) server. This procedure describes how to use the diagnostics from a CD-ROM. For information on running diagnostics from the Network Installation Management (NIM) Server, see Running the stand-alone eServer™ diagnostics from a Network Installation Management server.

Prerequisites:

If this server is directly attached to another server or attached to a network, be sure communications with the other servers are stopped.
Ensure that no other activity is running on the logical partition. Stand-alone eServer diagnostics require use of all of the logical partition resources. No other activity can be running on the logical partition.
You must have access to the system console to use stand-alone eServer diagnostics.

To use stand-alone diagnostics from a CD-ROM, follow these steps:

Stop all jobs and applications, and then stop the operating system on the system or logical partition.
Remove all tapes, diskettes, and CD-ROM.
Turn off the system unit power.
Note: The next step starts the server or logical partition from the eServer stand-alone diagnostic CD-ROM. If the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive is not available as the startup device on the server or logical partition on which you are working, follow these steps:
1. Access the Advanced System Management Interface (ASMI). See Managing your server using the Advanced System Management Interface for information on using the ASMI.
2. On the ASMI main menu, click Power/Restart Control.
3. Click Power On/Off System.
4. Select the Service mode boot from default boot list option in the AIX® or Linux logical partition mode boot list.
5. Click Save settings and power on the system. As soon as the optical drive has power, insert the AIX diagnostic diskette.
6. Go to step 5.
Turn on the system unit power and insert the diagnostics CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive.
After the keyboard POST indicator displays on the firmware console and before the last POST indicator (speaker) displays, press the 5 key on either the directly attached keyboard or the ASCII terminal. This indicates that a service mode boot should be initiated using the default service mode boot list.
Enter any requested password.
At the Diagnostic Operating Instructions display, press Enter.
Tip: If the Diagnostic Operating Instructions display does not appear, contact your support center for assistance.
If the terminal type is requested, use the Initialize Terminal option on the Function Selection menu to initialize the operating system.