Microprocessor  problems 
 
v  Follow  the  suggested  actions  in  the  order  in  which  they  are  listed  in  the  Action  column  until  the  problem 
is  solved. 
v  See  the  Problem  Determination  and  Service  Guide  on  the  IBM  System  x  Documentation  CD  to  determine  which 
components  are  customer  replaceable  units  (CRU)  and  which  components  are  field  replaceable  units 
(FRU). 
v  If  an  action  step  is  preceded  by  “(Trained  service  technician  only),”  that  step  must  be  performed  only  by  a 
trained  service  technician. 
Symptom  Action 
The  server  emits  a  continuous 
beep  during  POST,  indicating 
that  the  startup  (boot) 
microprocessor  is  not  working 
correctly. 
1.  Correct  any  errors  that  are  indicated  by  the  light  path  diagnostics  LEDs  (see 
“Light  path  diagnostics  LEDs”  on  page  91). 
2.  Make  sure  that  the  server  supports  all  the  microprocessors  and  that  the 
microprocessors  match  in  speed  and  cache  size. 
3.  (Trained  service  technician  only)  Reseat  Microprocessor  1 
4.  (Trained  service  technician  only)  If  there  is  no  indication  of  which 
microprocessor  has  failed,  isolate  the  error  by  testing  with  one  microprocessor 
at  a  time. 
5.  Replace  the  following  components  one  at  a  time,  in  the  order  shown,  restarting 
the  server  each  time: 
a.  (Trained  service  technician  only)  microprocessor  2 
b.  VRM  2 
c.  (Trained  service  technician  only)  System  board
6.
  (Trained  service  technician  only)  If  there  are  multiple  error  codes  or  light  path 
diagnostics  LEDs  that  indicate  a  microprocessor  error,  reverse  the  locations  of 
two  microprocessors  to  determine  whether  the  error  is  associated  with  a 
microprocessor  or  with  a  microprocessor  socket. 
v  If  the  error  is  associated  with  a  microprocessor,  replace  the  microprocessor. 
v  If  the  error  is  associated  with  a  VRM,  replace  the  VRM. 
v  If  the  error  is  associated  with  a  microprocessor  socket,  replace  the  system 
board.
 
Monitor  problems 
Some  IBM  monitors  have  their  own  self-tests.  If  you  suspect  a  problem  with  your 
monitor,  see  the  documentation  that  comes  with  the  monitor  for  instructions  for 
testing  and  adjusting  the  monitor.  If  you  cannot  diagnose  the  problem,  call  for 
service. 
 
82  IBM  System  x3500  Type  7977:  Installation  Guide