IBM Aptiva 2174 Hardware Maintenance Service

Check Procedures 35Index of Symptoms, Messages, or BeepsHow to Use Error Messages: Use the messages, and beeps combinationsthat occur to diagnose failures. If more than one failure occurs, begin thediagnosis from the first failure that appeared. The cause of the first failure canresult in false messages, or beeps. If you did not receive any messages, orbeeps, see if the symptom is listed in “Table 2-3 Error Symptoms List” on page40.CAUTION: When you have deemed it necessary to replace a FRU, and havedone so, you must run a total system check to ensure that no otheractivity has been affected by the change. This system check can bedone through the diagnostics program (Select Diagnostics, then selectand execute All Tests from PC-Doctor).POST: Some diagnostic aids are resident in the machine, such as the Power-On Self Test (POST). The machine performs the POST each time it is poweredon. Use this information throughout the diagnostic procedures. The POST is aseries of system checks and initializations that verify the correct operation ofthe base system.After a successful POST, the system attempts to load operating system. Thesystem can be customized for different startup (boot) methods by the BIOSSetup Utility. “Startup Options” on page 18.The system's default startup sequence automatically looks for the operatingsystem files in the hard disk if these files are not found in the diskette.WARNING: Remember that POST does not test all areas, but only those thatallow the system to operate well enough to run the diagnostics program.Table 2-1 lists BIOS error messages, to their possible causes. table 2-2 listsBIOS beeps to their possible causes. Table 2-3 lists error symptoms and theirpossible causes. The most likely cause is listed first. Make sure you completeall items in the cause or “Action/FRU” column. When servicing a system,always begin with “Start” on page 31.If you are unable to correct the problem using these two index tables, go to“Undetermined Problems” on page 66.NOTE:1. If an error message and incorrect audio response occur, diagnose the errormessage first.2. If you cannot run the diagnostics program tests but did receive a POST errormessage , use “Table 2-1 POST Error Messages List” on page 36 todiagnose system problems.3. If you cannot run the diagnostics program tests but did receive a POST error