This manual describes the troubleshooting procedures and diagnostic
commands that you can use to solve basic problems with the MicroVAX
3100 Model 40 and Model 80 systems.
Revision Information:This is a new manual.
Digital Equipment Corporation
Maynard, Massachusetts
October 1991
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and should not be
construed as a commitment by Digital Equipment Corporation. Digital Equipment Corporation
assumes no responsibility for any errors that may appear in this document.
The software described in this document is furnished under a license and may be used or copied
only in accordance with the terms of such license.
No responsibility is assumed for the use or reliability of software on equipment that is not
supplied by Digital Equipment Corporation or its affiliated companies.
Restricted Rights: Use, duplication, or disclosure by the U.S. Government is subject to
restrictions as set forth in subparagraph (c)(1)(ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer
Software clause at DFARS 252.227-7013.
1–2Device Numbers, Mnemonics, and Names ...............1–13
iii
This manual describes the troubleshooting procedures and diagnostic
commands that you can use to solve basic problems with the MicroVAX™
3100 Model 40 and Model 80 systems.
Audience
This manual is intended for people who have some experience of computers.
Structure of This Manual
This manual has one chapter and an index.
Additional Information
See the MicroVAX 3100 Model 40 and Model 80 Operator Information manual
for the list of associated and related documents.
Preface
v
Conventions
The following conventions are used in this manual:
ConventionDescription
MONOSPACE
italic typeItalic type emphasizes important information and indicates the
boldface typeBoldface type in examples indicates user input. Boldface type in text
NoteA note contains information that is of special importance to the user.
Text displayed on the screen is shown in monospace type.
complete titles of manuals.
indicates the first instance of terms defined either in the text, in the
glossary, or both.
vi
1
Troubleshooting and Diagnosing Problems
This chapter describes the troubleshooting procedures and diagnostic
commands that you can use to solve basic problems with the MicroVAX 3100
Model 40 and Model 80 systems. It contains information on the following:
•Troubleshooting
•Diagnostic tests and commands
•Contacting Digital™ Services
It also lists the information that you must give to your Digital Services
representative and where to find this information.
1.1 Troubleshooting
If a problem occurs, you must first make sure that all the cables, loopback
connectors, and terminators are correctly connected and that the connectors
are not damaged, for example, the pins may be broken or short-circuited.
Follow these steps:
1. Shut down the operating system following the procedures described in the
operating system documentation.
2. Turn off the console terminal and all the peripheral devices such as
printers and modems.
3. Turn off all the expansion boxes.
4. Turn off the system unit.
5. Check that the following cables, if installed, are correctly connected at both
ends and that the connectors are not damaged:
•Console terminal cable (linking the console terminal to the system unit)
•Console terminal power cord
•System unit power cord
•Expansion box SCSI cables
Troubleshooting and Diagnosing Problems 1–1
•Expansion box power cords
•ThinWire™ Ethernet cable or standard Ethernet cable
6. Check that the following terminators, if installed, are correctly connected
and are not damaged:
•SCSI terminator
•ThinWire Ethernet terminator (T-connector and two terminators)
•Standard Ethernet loopback connector
If you have correctly followed steps 1 to 5, the on/off switches on all
the components are set to the off (O) position, and you have solved any
problems caused by incorrectly connected cables or terminators.
7. Set the on/off switches on the following equipment to the on (|) position in
the following order:
a. Expansion boxes
b. Peripherals
c.Console terminal
d. System unit
The system responds with the power-up test display. If it does not, see
Section 1.1.1.
1.1.1 Using the Troubleshooting Table
Table 1–1 suggests the corrective actions for certain system problems. If you
have a problem with the system, follow these steps:
1. Write down the symptoms of the problem.
2. Check the Symptom column in Table 1–1 for a match.
3. Check the conditions for that symptom in the Possible Cause column. If
the column lists more than one possible cause, check the possible causes
and their suggested solutions in the order listed.
4. Follow the advice in the Suggested Solution column.
5. See Section 1.3 if the problem persists.
1–2 Troubleshooting and Diagnosing Problems
Table 1–1 Basic Troubleshooting
SymptomPossible CauseSuggested Solution
System Problems
The system unit fan is off
or the power light is off.
The power-up display does
not show after 20 seconds.
The power cord is not
connected. The power cord
may be faulty. The power
socket may not be working.
The overload protection
circuitry of the power
supply may have shut down
because of an abnormal
condition on the power line.
The power supply unit
(PSU) is faulty.
The terminal cable is not
correctly connected.
The power cord is not
connected. The power cord
may be faulty. The power
socket may not be working.
The terminal fuse may have
blown.
The terminal settings may
be incorrect.
The port to which the
terminal connects may be
faulty.
Make sure that all the power cords
are connected correctly at both
ends. Try a power cord that works
or test the power socket with an
appliance that works.
Turn the system off and then turn
it back on.
Contact your Digital Services
representative.
Make sure that all the cables are
connected at both ends.
Make sure that all the power cords
are connected correctly at both
ends. Try a power cord that works
or test the power socket with an
appliance that works.
Replace the blown terminal fuse.
See the terminal documentation.
See the MicroVAX 3100 Model 40
and Model 80 Operator Information
manual for the list of correct
terminal settings. See the terminal
documentation for information on
setting up the terminal.
Try connecting the terminal to
another system. If this solution
works, the port to which the
terminal was connected is faulty.
If the terminal still does not
operate, it is faulty. In either
case, contact your Digital Services
representative.
(continued on next page)
Troubleshooting and Diagnosing Problems 1–3
Table 1–1 (Cont.) Basic Troubleshooting
SymptomPossible CauseSuggested Solution
System Problems
The power-up display
contains question marks.
The power-up test display
contains unexpected
characters.
The system fails to boot the
operating system.
The terminal cable may be
faulty.
The break/enable switch is
in the wrong position.
A soft error or hard error.A single question mark (?) followed
The terminal settings are
incorrect or the DZ circuitry
is faulty.
The system defaults are
incorrectly set.
Connect the terminal cable and
the terminal to another system.
If the connected terminal works,
the DZ circuitry or MMJ connector
is faulty. Otherwise, the cable
is faulty. Contact your Digital
Services representative.
Turn off the system unit. Set the
break/enable switch to the down
position, then turn on the system
unit.
by numbers in the power-up display
indicates a soft error. Do not take
any action unless the system fails
to boot. If the system does not boot,
see Section 1.3.
Double question marks (??)
followed by numbers in the powerup display indicate a hard error.
See Section 1.3.
Make sure the terminal settings
are correct, then run the powerup test again. If the terminal is
set correctly, contact your Digital
Services representative.
Set the system defaults as
described in the VMS FactoryInstalled Software User Guide,
then try booting the system again.
If the system still fails to boot,
contact your Digital Services
representative.
The TZ30 does not operate.The drive does not contain
The operate lever does not
slide.
The operate lever does not
lock.
The tape does not load.Press and release the unload
The system cannot write to
the tape.
The data read from the tape
cartridge is corrupted.
The tape does not eject.The tape is not rewound.
The drive mechanism is
faulty or the tape cartridge
is damaged.
a tape cartridge.
The tape cartridge is in use.Wait for the green LED to turn
The tape cartridge is not
inserted correctly.
The write-protect switch
is in the write-protect
position.
The tape drive head may be
dirty.
The operate lever is in the
lock position.
Press and release the unload button
to clear the fault. If the LED
continues to flash, do not try to
remove the tape cartridge or use
the tape drive. Contact your Digital
Services representative.
Insert the tape cartridge and press
the unload button.
on and try again. If the problem
persists, do not use the drive.
Contact your Digital Services
representative.
Reinsert the tape cartridge. If
the problem persists, contact your
Digital Services representative.
button. Wait for the green LED
to turn on before sliding the lever
and removing the tape. If the
LED flashes, contact your Digital
Services representative.
If the write-protect LED is on,
remove the tape, reset the switch
and try writing to the tape again. If
the problem persists, contact your
Digital Services representative.
See the MicroVAX 3100 Model 40
and Model 80 Operator Information
manual for information on cleaning
the drive head.
Follow the procedure for removing
a tape from the TZ30 described in
the MicroVAX 3100 Model 40 and
The system cannot read
from or write to the QIC
tape.
The drive head is dirty.Clean the drive head. See the
The write-protect switch
is in the write-protect
position.
The QIC tape may be faulty.Remove the QIC tape. If the amber
MicroVAX 3100 Model 40 and
Model 80 Operator Information
manual.
Remove the QIC tape, reset the
switch and try writing to the QIC
tape again. If the problem persists,
contact your Digital Services
representative.
LED turns off when you remove
the QIC tape, the tape is probably
faulty. Try a different QIC tape.
If the amber LED stays on or if
the problem persists, contact your
Digital Services representative.
The system cannot read
from or write to the
diskette.
The system can read
from but cannot write to
a diskette.
The diskette does not eject.The diskette is incorrectly
The diskette is not
formatted.
The diskette is not correctly
inserted.
The diskette is faulty.Try a different diskette.
The diskette drive is faulty.Contact your Digital Services
The diskette density is
incorrect.
The diskette drive head
may be dirty.
The write-protect switch
is in the write-protect
position.
positioned in the drive.
Format the diskette.
Eject the diskette. Try inserting
the diskette again.
representative.
The RX26 accepts only high-
density (HD) or extra-density (ED)
diskettes.
See the MicroVAX 3100 Model 40
and Model 80 Operator Information
manual for information on cleaning
the diskette drive head.
Eject the diskette and reset the
switch. Try writing to the diskette
again.
Gently press the diskette with your
finger and reposition it. Press the
eject button again.
1–8 Troubleshooting and Diagnosing Problems
1.2 Diagnostic Tests and Commands
There are a number of diagnostic tests and commands that can help you to
isolate a problem with the system unit. These tests and commands are as
follows:
•Power-up tests
•Self-tests
•Configuration display
•System exerciser
•Error display
The following sections describe these tests and commands.
1
1
1
1
1
You can use these tests and commands in privileged console mode only if the console
security feature is enabled and the password is set. See the MicroVAX 3100 Model 40and Model 80 Customer Technical Information manual for information on the console
security feature.
Troubleshooting and Diagnosing Problems 1–9
1.2.1 Power-Up Tests
The system runs the power-up tests each time you turn on the system. If the
system passes the tests, it responds with a display similar to the following:
KA45−A V1.0
08−00−2B−1A−0B−BB
3
16MB
1
2
4
>>>
5
1
Central Processing Unit (CPU) Name and Firmware Version Number—The
KA45 is the CPU in the Model 40 system; the KA47 is the CPU in the
Model 80 system. V1.0 is the firmware version number.
2
Ethernet Hardware Address.
3
Memory Size.
4
Status Bar—The completion mark ( |) indicates the full extent of the
status bar. When the status bar reaches the completion mark, the powerup test is complete. On some terminals, the status bars are displayed as a
line of number signs (#).
5
Console Prompt1.
1
The system may not display the console prompt if the default recovery action is set to
boot or restart. See the MicroVAX 3100 Model 40 and Model 80 Customer TechnicalInformation manual for more information on system defaults.
1–10 Troubleshooting and Diagnosing Problems
If the power-up tests encounter an error, the system responds with a display
similar to the following:
KA45−A V1.0
08−00−2B−1A−0B−BB
16MB
|
?? 001 9 NI 0104
1
3
2
4
5
6
>>>
1
Error Type—Double question marks (??) indicate a hard error, that is, a
fatal error that prevents the system from booting. A single question mark
(?) indicates a soft error, that is, a nonfatal error that does not prevent the
system from booting.
2
Field Replaceable Unit (FRU).
3
Device Number.
4
Device Mnemonic.
5
Error Message.
6
Completion Mark—The completion mark (|) indicates the full extent of
the status bar when the power-up test is successful.
In this display, a single question mark (?) indicates a soft error, whereas
double question marks (??) indicate a hard error.
Usually, you can ignore soft errors. Soft errors are often caused by temporary
problems, and the system can boot despite the error. Hard errors, however,
usually indicate a more serious problem that may prevent the system from
successfully booting. If you encounter a hard error, see Section 1.2.2.
Troubleshooting and Diagnosing Problems 1–11
1.2.2 Self-Tests
Self-tests perform the same tests as the power-up tests except for one
difference; the power-up tests test all the devices in the system, whereas
the self-tests allow you to test a single device.
If you encounter a hard error in the power-up test display, follow these steps:
1. Write down the number or mnemonic of the tests that failed.
In the examples in this section, device 9 (NI), the Ethernet device, has
a hard error associated with it. Table 1–2 lists the device numbers,
mnemonics, and names of the system devices.
2. Make sure that all the required cables and terminators are securely
connected to the proper ports by following the procedure described in
Section 1.1.
3. Run the self-test on each device that failed by entering a command similar
to the following:
>>> TEST 9
Alternatively, instead of the device number, you can enter the command
using the device mnemonic:
>>> TEST NI
If the self-test is successful, the system responds with the following display:
TEST 9
>>>
OK
>>>
1–12 Troubleshooting and Diagnosing Problems
If the device fails the self-test, the system responds with the following
display:
TEST 9
>>>
?? 001 9 NI 0172
84 FAIL
>>>
4. If the error remains, contact your Digital Services representative (see
Section 1.3).
Table 1–2 lists all the device numbers, mnemonics, and device names.
Table 1–2 Device Numbers, Mnemonics, and Names
NumberMnemonic Device Name
1NVRNonvolatile RAM
3DZSerial line controller
4CACHECache memory
5MEMSystem internal memory
6FPUFloating point unit
7ITInterval timer
8SYSMiscellaneous CPU module hardware
9NINetwork interface (Ethernet)
10SCSISCSI controller
12COMMSynchronous communications option
14ASYNCAsynchronous communications option
Troubleshooting and Diagnosing Problems 1–13
1.2.3 Configuration Display
The configuration display shows the system configuration and the error
messages that were detected while the most recent power-up tests and selftests were running. If you add expansion boxes to the system and do not run
the power-up tests or self-tests, the configuration display does not recognize the
reconfiguration. Enter the following command to see the configuration display:
>>> SHOW CONFIG
If the system does not detect any errors in the most recent power-up tests and
self-tests, it responds with a configuration display similar to the following:
Memory Configuration—The total internal capacity of the system equals
the memory on the system module (SY) plus the optional memory in each
of the internal banks (S0 to S5). In this example, the capacity is 16M
bytes.
5
SCSI IDs and SCSI Device Names.
1–14 Troubleshooting and Diagnosing Problems
If the system detects errors in the most recent power-up tests and self-tests, it
responds with a configuration display similar to the following:
Error Information—Write down this information. You must give it to your
Digital Services representative when you call.
1.2.4 System Exerciser
Use the system exerciser if the system develops intermittent problems. The
system exerciser simulates the operating system by testing the simultaneous
operation of multiple devices in the system. The system runs the tests twice
and then shows the results in the system exerciser display.
8MB = SY=8MB, S0/1=0MB, S2/3=0MB, S4/5=0MB
1
3-RZ23L6-INITR
DSW42 2 CHANNEL V3.0
Remove the removable media from all the internal and external
removable media devices.
Note
Troubleshooting and Diagnosing Problems 1–15
To run the system exerciser, enter the following command:
>>> TEST 100
The system responds with a display similar to the following:
Central Processing Unit (CPU) Name and Firmware Version Number –
7
KA45 is the CPU in the Model 40 system; KA47 is the CPU in the Model
80 system. V1.0 is the firmware version number.
2
Test Environment—CU is the customer environment.
3
The Duration of the Test—Days hours:minutes:seconds.hundreths of
seconds.
4
Device Number.
5
Device Mnemonic.
6
Status Bars—The status bars show the progress of each test. On some
terminals, the status bars are displayed as a line of number signs (#), on
other terminals the status bars are solid lines.
7
A prompt for summary screens (see Section 1.2.5). Enter 1 to display the
summary screens; enter 0 to return to the console prompt.
1–16 Troubleshooting and Diagnosing Problems
If a device fails the system exerciser tests, the system displays the following:
Error Report—The error report replaces the status bar when a device fails
7
the system exerciser tests. Two question marks (??) indicates a hard error,
that is, an error that you must correct before booting the system. One
question mark (?) indicates a soft error, that is, an error that you do not
have to correct before booting the system.
2
Device Number.
3
Device Mnemonic.
4
Field Replaceable Unit (FRU).
5
Error Message.
6
Elapsed Time—The time elapsed since the test started.
7
A prompt for the summary screens (see Section 1.2.5). Enter 1 to display
the summary screens; enter 0 to return to the console prompt.
If you see an error report, write it down. Then contact your Digital Services
representative (see Section 1.3).
Troubleshooting and Diagnosing Problems 1–17
1.2.5 Summary Screens
The system exerciser generates summary screens that show the progress
or results of the most recent system exerciser test. You do not need to
use or understand the summary screens, however, your Digital Services
representative might ask you to display a summary screen when you call. The
system displays a screen summary when one of the following conditions is
satisfied:
•When the system exerciser test completes and you choose to view the
summary screens
•When you press Ctrl/C to interrupt a system exerciser test and you choose
to view the summary screen
•When you enter the command SHOW ESTAT
The summary screens are displayed in the order in which the tests were
performed. When the system exerciser is completed, it displays a prompt at
the bottom of the screen as follows:
The error display lists the errors detected by the most recent self-test or system
exerciser test. To see the error display, enter the following command:
>>> SHOW ERROR
The system responds with a display similar to the following:
?0001NVR0003
?? 0019NI0068
001 0010 00000000 00000020 000000AA 00000000
Write down this information. You must give it to your Digital Services
representative when you call.
1.3 Contacting Digital Services
Service of this equipment should only be attempted by
authorized service personnel.
If you have followed the procedures in this chapter but the problem remains
unsolved, your Digital Services representative can help you. Before you place
your call, follow these steps:
WARNING
1. Write down a description of the problem, including the error messages and
the number of any self-test that failed.
2. Look at the status LED display on the back of the system unit and write
down the numbers of the LEDs that are on (see Figure 1–1). If the system
is operating correctly, the following LEDS should be on: 7, 6, 5, 4, 1, and 0.
3. List the steps you have taken to correct the problem and the results you
got.
4. Write down the serial and model numbers of the system unit and any
connected peripheral devices. These numbers are usually printed on a
label on the back of the device.
1–20 Troubleshooting and Diagnosing Problems
Figure 1–1 Status LED Display
1
B
A
0
1
Status LED Display
1
0
RE_EN06326A_91
Troubleshooting and Diagnosing Problems 1–21
Index
C
Cables
checking the console terminal cable, 1–1
checking the Ethernet cables, 1–1
checking the expansion box power cords,
1–1
checking the expansion box SCSI cables,
1–1
checking the system unit power cord, 1–1
checking the terminal power cord, 1–1
troubleshooting, 1–1
Connection
checking SCSI terminator, 1–2
checking standard Ethernet loopback