IBM Support

ServerGuide 6.1.3 displays "DISPATCH Invalid Pointer Operation" error - IBM eServer xSeries 225

Troubleshooting


Problem

When starting the server using the ServerGuide 6.1.3 CD, the following message is displayed: "DISPATCH Invalid Pointer Operation". In this message box, selecting OK locks the system with a blue screen.

Resolving The Problem

Source

RETAIN tip: H177301

Symptom

When starting the server using the ServerGuide 6.1.3 CD, the following message is displayed:

"DISPATCH
Invalid Pointer Operation"

In this message box, selecting OK locks the system with a blue screen.

Affected configurations

The system may be any of the following IBM eServer xSeries servers:

  • xSeries 225, type 8647, any model

The BIOS level affected is BIOS 20A.

Workaround

Clear CMOS and load default settings.

Solution

This behavior is corrected in version 1.25 or higher of BIOS 25A.  

Additional information

BIOS 20A is overwriting CMOS space reserved for ServerGuide use. The overwrite is not affecting a signature that ServerGuide uses to validate its data; ServerGuide is not detecting the problem and assumes the data that it retrieves from CMOS to be good. In this case, the information retrieved is not valid for ServerGuide to use and causes the "Invalid Pointer Operation" error.

 

Document Location

Worldwide

Operating System

Older System x:Operating system independent / None

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Document Information

Modified date:
29 January 2019

UID

ibm1MIGR-50428