This chapter helps you identify and solve problems that may occur while you are using your Silicon Graphics 750 system. This chapter consists of the following sections:
Table 5-1 shows the commands for resetting the system.
To do this: | |
|---|---|
Soft-boot reset, which clears system memory and reloads the operating system. | Ctrl+Alt+Del |
Cold-boot reset, which clears system memory, restarts POST, and initializes all peripherals. Hold the power button for four seconds to power off. | Power off/on |
Incorrect installation or configuration usually causes problems that occur at initial system startup. Hardware failure is a less frequent cause. Use the following checklist to troubleshoot startup problems:
Are the processors fully seated in their connectors on the processor board?
Is at least one memory board installed and fully seated?
Are all add-in PCI boards fully seated in their slots on the baseboard?
Are all switch and jumper settings on boards and drives correct?
Are all switch and jumper settings on add-in cards and peripheral devices correct?
To check these settings, see the manufacturer's documentation that comes with the add-in cards or peripheral devices. If applicable, ensure that there are no conflicts (for example, two add-in cards sharing the same interrupt).
Are all DIMMs installed correctly?
Are all memory board voltage modules installed correctly?
Are all peripheral devices installed correctly?
Is the hard disk drive properly formatted or configured?
Are all device drivers properly installed?
Did you press the system power on/off switch on the front panel to turn the system on (power-on light should be lit)?
Are the system power cords properly connected to the system and plugged into an outlet for 110-240 VAC?
Is AC power available at the wall outlet?
As POST determines the system configuration, it tests for the presence of each mass-storage device installed in the system. As each device is checked, its activity light should light briefly.
Check for following:
Does the diskette drive activity light illuminate briefly? If not, see “SuperDisk (Floppy) Drive Activity Light Does Not Activate or Drive Is Not Detected ”.
Does the hard disk drive activity light on the control panel light briefly? If not, see “Hard Disk Drive Activity Light Does Not Activate ”.
The following are two common PCI installation tips:
Certain devices may require resources that are not shared. It may be necessary to alter settings where applicable to minimize resource contention or conflicts.
Check PCI resource interdependencies among slots and onboard devices, relocating adapters to other slots (for example, PXB bus 0 to WXB bus 1).
Note: PCI peripherals will not operate if used with 32-bit drivers. At this time a limited number of 64-bit drivers are available for PCI peripherals. Do not install any additional PCI peripherals that do not have current 64-bit drivers. Note: The WXB PCI buses (S2 and slots 1, 2, 3, and 4) support 3.3 V cards, while the PXB PCI bus (slots 5 and 6) support 5 V cards. Both WXB and PXB PCI buses support universal cards. Be certain that the PCI slot used is compatible with the PCI card inserted in that slot. Note: In order for the system to remain EMC compliant, peripheral devices having an external output connector (for example, audio, video, SCSI) must be marked as FCC tested for home or office use (FCC Class B), and marked as Canada ICES-003 Class B compliant. For European installations, these devices are required to be CE marked with declaration of conformity to the EMC directives (89/336/EEC).
This section provides possible solutions for these specific problems:
Power light does not activate.
No characters appear on the screen (after 90 seconds).
Characters on the screen appear distorted or incorrect.
System cooling fans do not rotate.
SuperDisk (floppy) drive activity light does not activate, or drive is not detected.
Hard disk drive activity light does not activate.
CD-ROM drive activity light does not activate.
CD-ROM drive is not detected.
Try the solutions in the order given. If you cannot correct the problem, contact your service representative.
Check the following:
Is the power supply plugged in? Is the power to the outlet turned on? Is there a blown fuse or breaker?
Is the system connected to a 110-240 VAC source?
Is the system operating normally? If so, the power LED is probably defective or the cable from the front panel to the I/O board is loose.
Are there other problems with the system? If so, see the items in “System Cooling Fans Do Not Rotate Properly ”.
Check the following:
Is the keyboard working? Check to see that the Num Lock light is functioning by pressing the Num Lock key.
Is the video monitor plugged in and turned on? Many modern video monitors shut down when inactive and may require a moment to warm up when activated.
Are the brightness and contrast controls on the video monitor properly adjusted?
Are the video monitor switch settings correct?
Check the following:
Are the brightness and contrast controls properly adjusted on the video monitor? See the manufacturer's documentation.
Are the video monitor signal and power cables properly installed?
If the problem persists, the video monitor may be faulty or it may be the incorrect type. Contact the manufacturer's service representative for further monitor assistance.
If the system cooling fans are not operating properly, system components could be damaged. Check the following:
Is AC power available at the wall outlet?
Are the system power cords properly connected to the system and the wall outlet?
Did you press the power on/off push-button switch?
Is the power-on light activated?
Are the fan power connectors properly connected to the baseboard?
Are there any shorted/open wires caused by pinched cables or power connector plugs forced incorrectly into sockets?
Check the following:
Are the SuperDisk drive power and signal cables properly installed?
Was a floppy diskette in the drive on boot? (Disk media is required to be in the drive on boot-up or the SuperDisk drive will not be recognized by the system.)
Are all relevant switches and jumpers on the SuperDisk drive set correctly?
Is the SuperDisk drive properly configured as the master device, with the CD-ROM drive as the slave on the primary IDE channel?
Is the SuperDisk drive activity light always on? If so, the signal cable may be plugged in incorrectly.
Check the following:
Are the power and signal cables to the drive properly installed?
Are all relevant switches and jumpers on the hard drive and I/O board set correctly?
Is the onboard IDE controller enabled (IDE hard drives only)?
Is the PCI SCSI controller enabled and configured correctly (SCSI only)?
Is the hard disk drive properly configured?
Note: The front panel hard disk LED indicates IDE and SCSI devices. The hard disk drive activity light on the front panel lights when either an IDE hard disk drive or a SCSI device controlled by the PCI SCSI host controller is in use. This LED does not display CD-ROM activity.
Check the following:
Are all relevant switches and jumpers on the drive set correctly?
Is the drive properly configured as the master?
Is the onboard IDE controller enabled?
Note: The front panel hard disk LED indicates IDE and SCSI devices. The hard disk drive activity light on the front panel lights when either an IDE hard disk drive or a SCSI device controlled by the onboard SCSI host controller is in use. This LED does not display CD-ROM activity. Note: PCI peripherals will not operate if used with 32-bit drivers. At this time, there are a limited number of 64-bit drivers available for PCI peripherals, do not install any additional PCI peripherals that do not have current 64-bit drivers.