Using the Service Action Log

Use this procedure to search for an entry in the Service Action Log (SAL) that matches the time, reference code, or resource of the reported problem.

1. On the command line, enter the Start System Service Tools command (STRSST). If you cannot get to SST, use function 21 to get to DST (see Dedicated Service Tools (DST)).
2. On the Start Service Tools Sign On display, type in a user ID with QSRV authority and password.
3. Select Start a Service Tool > Hardware Service Manager > Work with service action log.
4. On the Select Timeframe display, change the From: Date and Time to a date and time prior to when the customer reported having the problem.
5. Search for an entry that matches one or more conditions of the problem:
   • Reference code
   • Resource
   • Time
   • Failing item list
6. Perform the following:
   • Choose Display the failing item information to display the SAL entry.
   • Use the Display details option to display part location information.

   All new entries in the SAL represent problems that require a service action. It may be necessary to handle any problem in the log even if it does not match the original problem symptom.

   The information displayed in the date and time fields are the date and time for the first occurrence of the specific reference code for the resource displayed during the time range selected.

7. Did you find an entry in the SAL?
   • Yes: Continue with the next step.
   • No: Is i5/OS® available?
     • Yes: Go to Using the problem log. This ends the procedure.
     • No: Go to Problems with noncritical resources. This ends the procedure.
8. Does "See the service information system reference code tables for further problem isolation" appear near the top of the display or are there procedures in the FRU list?
   • Yes: Perform the following steps:
     1. Go to the List of reference codes and use the reference code that is indicated in the log to find the correct reference code table and unit reference code.
     2. Perform all actions in the Description/Action column before exchanging failing items.
        Note: When exchanging failing items, the part numbers and locations found in the SAL entry should be used.
        This ends the procedure.
   • No: Display the failing item information for the SAL entry. Items at the top of the failing item list are more likely to fix the problem than items at the bottom of the list. Continue with the next step.
     Notes:

     1. Some failing items are required to be exchanged in groups until the problem is solved.
     2. Other failing items are flagged as mandatory exchange and must be exchanged before the service action is complete, even if the problem appears to have been repaired.
     3. Use the "Part Action Code" field in the SAL display to determine if failing items are to be replaced in groups or as mandatory exchanges.
     4. Unless the "Part Action Code" of a FRU indicates group or mandatory exchange, exchange the failing items one at a time until the problem is repaired. Use the help function to determine the meaning of Part Action Codes.
9. Perform the following steps to help resolve the problem:
   1. For failing items, refer to Using failing item codes.
   2. For symbolic FRUs, see Symbolic FRUs.
   3. To display location information, choose the function key for Additional details. If location information is available, go to Finding part locations for the model you are working on to determine what removal and replacement procedure to perform. To turn on the failing item's identify light, use the "indicator on" option.
      Note: In some cases where the failing item does not contain a physical identify light, a higher level identify light will be activated (for example, the planar or unit containing the failing item). The location information should then be used to locate the actual failing item.
   4. If the failing item is Licensed Internal Code, contact your next level of support for the correct PTF to apply.
10. After exchanging an item, perform the following:
    1. Go to Verifying the repair and return here.
    2. If the failing item indicator was turned on during the removal and replacement procedure, use the "indicator off" option to turn off the indicator.
    3. If all problems have been resolved for the partition, use the "Acknowledge all errors" function at the bottom of the SAL display.
    4. Close the log entry by selecting Close a NEW entry on the SAL Report display. This ends the procedure.