IBM Support

Troubleshooting Light path diagnostics

Troubleshooting


Problem

Identifying problems using status LEDs (Light Path Diagnostics)

Resolving The Problem

If the System Error light in the operator information panel on the front of the server is on, one or more LEDs inside the server may be on. Use the light path diagnostics to identify the type of error that occurred.

Light path diagnostics

You can use the Light Path Diagnostics built into the server to quickly identify the type of system error that occurred. The Light Path Diagnostics panel is located on the system board just behind PCI adapter slot 1. When you press on the Light Path Diagnostics button the LED on the top right corner of the panel will illuminate. This shows that the diagnostic circuitry is working correctly.

The server is designed so that any LEDs that are illuminated can be re-illuminated without AC power after you remove the cover. This feature helps you isolate the problem if an error causes the server to shut down.

Note: You have up to 12 hours to use the Light Path Diagnostic LED's after AC power has been removed from the server. After 12 hours you must power the server up again to be able to use the Light Path Diagnostic LEDs to help locate system errors.

Viewing the LEDs on the system board

  1. Turn off the server and any peripheral devices.
  2. Remove the cables.
  3. Remove the server from the rack and place it on a flat, non-conductive surface.
  4. Remove the server cover.
  5. Press and hold the Light Path Diagnostics (blue) button on the diagnostics panel.
  6. The LEDs will illuminate while the switch is pressed.

    Note: You can illuminate the LEDs for a maximum of two minutes. After that time, the circuit that powers the LEDs is exhausted.

Diagnostics panel
The following illustration shows the LEDs on the diagnostics panel on the system board.

light path diagnostics

Light Path Diagnostics

LED Description
PS
   Power supply error
MEM
   Memory error occurred
TEMP
   System temperature exceeded maximum rating
CPU
   Microprocessor error
FAN
   Fan failed or operating slowly
VRM
   Voltage regulator module error
SP
   Error occurred on SP bus
PCI
   Error occurred on an adapter in PCI slot 1 or 2, or one of the PCI service  devices integrated on the system board.

Need more help?
Please select one of the the following options for further assistance:

//www.ibm.com/i/v14/icons/fw.gif Support forums
//www.ibm.com/i/v14/icons/fw.gif Submit a technical question
Before you call IBM Service

Document Location

Worldwide

Operating System

IntelliStation Pro:All operating systems listed

Older System x:Operating system independent / None

[{"Type":"HW","Business Unit":{"code":"BU016","label":"Multiple Vendor Support"},"Product":{"code":"HW18E","label":"Older System x->xSeries 135"},"Platform":[{"code":"PF025","label":"Platform Independent"}],"Line of Business":{"code":"","label":""}},{"Type":"HW","Business Unit":{"code":"BU016","label":"Multiple Vendor Support"},"Product":{"code":"HW18L","label":"Older System x->xSeries 330"},"Platform":[{"code":"PF025","label":"Platform Independent"}],"Line of Business":{"code":"","label":""}},{"Type":"HW","Business Unit":{"code":"BU054","label":"Systems w\/TPS"},"Product":{"code":"HWP99","label":"IntelliStation Pro->IntelliStation R Pro"},"Platform":[{"code":"PF025","label":"Platform Independent"}],"Line of Business":{"code":"","label":""}}]

Document Information

Modified date:
28 January 2019

UID

ibm1MIGR-45124