Problem with IBM RS/6000 44P

[wbyte]

Hello, I just bought and RS/6000 machine, but
when I start the machine It hangs on E297(some error I think). I search on net about it and the only thing I found about this is - "Start firmware softload path execution."
When it hangs on that error, the floppy drive start spinning and probably waiting for some kind of firmware to be inserted via diskett.
Thank you in advance and sorry for my english.
Best Regards.
Plamen

 

[kozlow]

You should open a hardware ticket with IBM support and give them the error code.

Knowing where the boot stopped is one thing, finding out how to fix it is another.....

 

[DukeSSD]

Book says minimum config.
Try removing the power lead, open it up, take out the battery - take great care, the battery holders break, leave the battery out for about 10 minutes, put the battery back in, shut the case, plug in the power lead, watch the console (ascii console is better if you have one) and power on, lookup the last couple of codes if it still wont boot.

Do you have a dumb console? connect it (or a pc / laptop connected with a nul modem cable) to S1 or S2 and 9600,8,1,n.
If you get the same it might be a bad card or device.

Is it a 7044-170 or a 7044-270? - go find the service manual.

If no progress you'll need to remove everything you can to narrow it down.

If you can, remove the second processor (270) all PCI cards (except the graphics if you dont have a dumb terminal) all bar the base memory, all bar the CD drive (if you have a bootable AIX or diagnostics CD-ROM) then try booting and see if you still get the same.

It could be that there is a bad device in the system stopping the power on / built in self test from compleating.

 

[wbyte]

Thank you for your quick replies, It is 7044-170,
I tried with modem cable and serial console, but nothing appears on it.
So probably I will try tomorrow to remove the battery and other devices.
Could you please tell me how to contact IBM hardware support to explain me more about this.
Best Regards,
Plamen

 

[DukeSSD]

http://www.ibm.com/

Under "Get support"
Select "Open a service request"
And fill in the boxes from there - get a quote before you accept service, they are quite expensive....
I'm assuming you didn't buy the box new from IBM, or a business partner, so you probably don't have a guarantee.

You might want to checkout / bookmark these links to the service doc's:

Install, User's and Service guides for the 170:

http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infoc...ies.doc/hardware_docs/rs6000_7044_44p_170.htm

Adapters, Devices and Casble info: (also checkout the adapter placement guide if you need to add, move any adapters)

http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infoc...doc/hardware_docs/adapters_devices_cables.htm

Diagnostic Information for Multiple Bus Systems:

http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infoc....ibm.pseries.doc/hardware_docs/diagnostic.htm

 

[wbyte]

Hello again,
I performed some checks, remove all parts, cards.
All devices seems to be OK.
I tried with removing the battery, but the E297 error still appears.
I finally get serial console working.
here is some information from it.

E206
E204
E20A
E213
E20B
E214
E3E1
E304
E305
E306
E307
E314
E315
E316
E218
E297
and here it hangs

I tried to request help from IBM support, but I didn't find where to do it ( their site is really mess )
In all documentation I found on net it says the same:
"Start firmware softload path execution."
What is that mean ?
Is there any way to find more about this E297 ?
Regards,
Plamen

 

[wbyte]

I just didn't poweroff machine when it hangs and after some ime the Display show: 40A00000
There is an error log i get from debug console menu:
Error Log

00000000005451 1. 40A00000 The IPL ROS surveillance interval exceeded.
00000000010454 2. 40A00000 The IPL ROS surveillance interval exceeded.
00000000011458 3. 40A00000 The IPL ROS surveillance interval exceeded.
00000000012502 4. 40A00000 The IPL ROS surveillance interval exceeded.

Press "C" to clear log. Press "Enter" to continue.

 

[mrn]

The 40A00000 is a failure of IPL system firmware. Do you have the diagnostic CD?

Mike

"Whenever I dwell for any length of time on my own shortcomings, they gradually begin to seem mild, harmless, rather engaging little things, not at all like the staring defects in other people's characters."

 

[wbyte]

No, I don't have any software. I downloaded
7044x70F.exe from IBM site, write it on diskettes, but don't know how to use it. When I use the diskette nothings happend. Shall I use something from system menu?
Regards,
Plamen

 

[wbyte]

I found on something in this web page:

http://www.pimpworks.org/ibm/aixled.html

297 System model number does not compare between OCS and ROS (irrecoverable).
Is this the same as E297 and what OCS and ROS means?

Best Regards,
Plamen

 

[p5wizard]

OCS - On Card Sequencer, the chip that does the power-on-selftest

ROS - read only storage (EEPROM), the memory where the firmware resides.

I'm thinking your box was flashed with a firmware that was not valid for a model 7044, or something went wrong during the firmware reprogramming. basically when this happens, you need IBM to come on site and swap out the service processor and maybe more (motherboard?). Doesn't look good...


HTH,

p5wizard

 

[DukeSSD]

All the information to trouble shoot your problem is in the service guide, see my previous post for the link.

To raise a service request with IBM, go to

http://www.ibm.com,

it will guess your country for you, click the "Open a service request" link under the "Get Support heading", fill in your details, what could be easier?