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Using Ctrl+A SCSISelect Utility program - Servers and IntelliStation

Troubleshooting


Problem

Using the Ctrl+A SCSISelect Utility program for Servers and IntelliStation.

Resolving The Problem

When a SCSI adapter is installed in a computer, whether it is imbedded into the system board or a physical adapter, the adapter BIOS presents a menu-driven configuration utility, called SCSISelect, that allows you to view and change SCSI settings.

The SCSISelect Utility program makes it possible to do the following:

  • View and change the default SCSI IDs
  • Verify and change configuration conflicts and settings
  • Perform a low-level format or a verify on a SCSI hard disk
Starting the SCSISelect Utility program
The program is accessible when the server is started. The SCSISelect prompt appears after the IBM logo appears. Press Ctrl+A immediately after the following SCSISelect prompt appears:

<<< Press <CTRL><A> for SCSISelect Utility! >>>

Use the Up Arrow or Down Arrow key to move the highlight bar to the various menu choices. Press Esc to return to the previous menu. Also available, the F5 key can be pressed to switch between color and monochrome modes (if the monitor permits). To change the settings of the displayed items, follow the directions on the screen. Then, press Enter.

SCSISelect Utility program choices
The following choices appear on the SCSISelect Utility program menu:
  • Configure/View Host Adapter Settings
  • SCSI Disk Utilities
Configure/view host adapter settings
To view or change the SCSI controller settings, select Configure/View Host Adapter Settings and follow the directions on the screen.

Note: On the SCSISelect Utility program menu, the SCSI controller is referred to as the "Host Adapter". This menu has the following choices:

  • Host adapter SCSI ID: The default SCSI ID of the SCSI controller is 7. Do not change this value.
  • SCSI parity checking: The default value is Enabled. Do not change this value.
  • Host adapter SCSI termination: The default value is Automatic. Do not change this value.
  • Boot device configuration: Select this choice to configure startable device parameters. Before making configuration updates, the ID of the device in question should be known.
  • SCSI Device Configuration: Select this choice to configure SCSI device parameters. Before making configuration updates, the ID of the device in question should be known.

Note: For all SCSI tape drives, set Send Start Unit Command to Off for that SCSI ID. This ensures proper server operation. When the Maximum Sync Transfer Rate is set to 40.0, this value represents the transfer rate for UltraSCSI devices. When the Maximum Sync Transfer Rate is set to 20.0, this value represents the transfer rate for Fast SCSI devices.

Note: Wide negotiation should be enabled for 16-bit or 68 pin devices. Wide negotiation should be disabled for 50 pin or 8-bit devices. This ensures correct signal strength on the SCSI bus for the devices. An incorrect setting can cause a device to not be seen correctly or cause slower than desired SCSI signal transfer.

  • Advanced Configuration Options: Select this choice to view or change the settings for advanced configuration options. These options include enabling support for large hard disk drives and support for drives with UltraSCSI speed.

Note: When using a ServeRAID adapter and a SCSI adapter, and the ServeRAID is the boot adapter, the BIOS for the SCSI Host Adapter should be set to Disabled. If the option Disabled Scan Bus is present, then use this setting. This will lessen the chance of having problems booting to drives connected to the ServeRAID adapter. If booting to the ServeRAID adapter is still an issue, the SCSI adapter may require a firmware update.

  • BIOS Information: The BIOS information appears on the Configure/View Host Adapter Settings main menu screen. The BIOS information is displayed in a pop-up window, below the selectable menu items. This window contains the following values:
    1. Interrupt (IRQ) Channel
    2. I/O Port Address

These values vary according to the current BIOS settings for the server; however, you cannot change the settings for the BIOS information.

To reset the SCSI controller defaults, press F6; then, follow the directions on the screen.

SCSI disk utilities
To see the IDs that are assigned to each SCSI device or to format a SCSI device, select SCSI Disk Utilities from the SCSISelect Utility program menu.

To use the utility, select a drive from the list. Read the screens carefully before making a selection.

Note: If the following screen appears, Ctrl+A may have been pressed before the selected drives were ready. Restart the server and watch for the SCSISelect messages as each drive spins up. After all devices have spun up, then press Ctrl+A.

unexpected scsi command failure screen

Performing a low-level disk format
The Format Disk feature of the SCSISelect Utility program can be used to perform a low-level format on a hard disk drive. The amount of processing time that the low-level format program requires will vary according to the hard disk drive capacity.

When to use the low-level format program
Use the Low-level Format program in the following situations:
  • When installing software that requires a low-level format such as a new clean install of an operating system.
  • When receiving recurring messages from the diagnostic tests directing to run the Low-level Format program on the hard disk drive.
  • As a last resort before replacing a failing hard disk drive.

Note: For information on backing up all of your files, see the operating system documentation.

Starting the low-level format program

Warning: The low-level format program erases all data and programs.
  1. If the hard disk is working, make a backup copy of all the files and programs on the hard disk drive.
  2. Select Format Disk; then, follow the instructions on the screen.
  3. To install an operating system after the hard disk drive is formatted, follow the instructions in the "ServerGuide and Netfinity Manager Information" section of the Server Library.

Note: Hard disks normally contain more tracks than their stated capacity (to allow for defective tracks). A message appears on the screen if the defect limit is reached. If this happens, have the system serviced.

Note: If the server has a RAID adapter installed, refer to the RAID adapter documentation for instructions for performing a low-level format on a hard disk drive attached to the PCI RAID adapter.

If the tip above does not solve the issue, or an IBM component is determined to be faulty, please contact your local IBM Support Center for further troubleshooting or warranty replacement of parts. Please have your Machine Type-Model, serial number, and component Field Replacement Unit (FRU) / Customer Replacement Unit (CRU) part numbers available.

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Operating System

IntelliStation Pro:All operating systems listed

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Document Information

Modified date:
28 January 2019

UID

ibm1MIGR-40573