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POST Error Codes
Beep Codes
General Error Codes
IML Error Codes (I999xxxx/0999xxxx)
SCSI Error Codes
Troubleshooting Hints
POST Errors
Multiple POST Errors
Dead System
Troubleshooting Dead System
Clearing the 96 8N1 code
This page is about one of the most annoying things in the PS/2 World - Error
codes. They come up when you need them the least and -often- don't tell much
why anything went wrong.
Now here's a collection of the most common error codes along with some
explanation and which action to take or which part to change.
POST Error Codes
Beep Codes
| * | Normal Operation |
| * * | A problem exists, check config. Run diags, if no error code displayed |
| _ * | Display or display adapter problem. |
| _ * * | Display or display adapter problem. |
| _ * * * | Display or display adapter problem. |
| * * * * * * | Continuous short beeps. Check keyboard. |
| ___________ | Continuous solid beep. System board. |
(* indicates a short beep, _ means a long beep)
General Error Codes
(from Peter's page)
Major Error Code -----------+---+
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Trailing Zeros -------- 0024 01XX
to fill 8 digits ||
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Minor (diagnostic Error Code)----++
The Error Code is written in the 4 + 4 style as it appears on the PS/2 Model
95 LED panel and in the Premium Line "extended 8-digits" form. The bold
part in the middle is the so called "Major Error Code" and -basically and
in large parts- identical with the PC/AT Error Codes and those used on
earlier PS/2 machines.
The 2 digits of the "Minor Error Code" is dependent on the type of the
error and -mostly- only specified when running the Advanced Diagnostics.
The minor error code is however often given at POST-Errors (after restarting
the computer) and might specify a particular error condition. In
case the minor error code is marked with "XX" in the follow-up error lists
it means "Don't care" and it can be any character.
Error messages generally consist of eight characters. If an error message
appears as a 12-character message, disregard the last four characters.
The following errors are all listed as eight-character messages. Messages
might appear on your screen as three-, four-, or five-character messages. When
this occurs, always add two zeros ["00"] to the
RIGHT of the code, and add enough zeros "0" to
the LEFT of the code to reach eight characters.
Error Code Format Examples
00030100 - Three-character, Codes 300 - 999
00170100 - Four-character, Codes 1500 - 2999
01668000 - Five-character, Codes 15000 - 19999
Error Code Listings
Error Codes 100 - 159
Error Codes 160 - 199
Error Codes 200 - 299
Error Codes 300 - 999
Error Codes 1000 - 1499
Error Codes 1500 - 2999
Error Codes 3000 - 9999
Error Codes 10000 - 11999
Error Codes 12000 - 14999
Error Codes 15000 - 19999
Error Codes 20000 - 29999
Single-page Error Code List (incomplete!)
IML Errors (I999xxxx/0999xxxx)
These have to do with the Initial Microcode Load on the 76/77, 85, 90, 95,
and 500 systems (and the TP700/720). See HERE.
SCSI Error Codes (RDDDPLSCB QEET)
These error codes indicate a problem with the SCSI host adapter or one of
the attached SCSI devices. See HERE.
Troubleshooting Hints
POST Errors
Refer to the General and SCSI
Error Codes above.
If multiple errors occur during POST, resolve them in the order that
they are presented.
Note: The correct procedure for using
the Personal System/2 reference diskette is to power on the system with the
diskette inserted in the diskette drive. Soft booting the reference diskette
(i.e. Ctrl-Alt-Del) may cause false errors as well as a false indication that
a power-on password is already present when you try to set one.
Ed. I can't remember having issues
from a warm boot while working on a PS/2, -BUT- if the system refuses to apply
configuration changes, cold boot.
Always cold boot and run Advanced Diagnostics (go into System Programs and
at the main menu do a Ctrl-A) before replacing components when trying to
resolve software problems. If diags don't fail, replacing components will
probably not solve the problem. Refer to the software vendor for possible
patches. The software may not be supported on the system.
Multiple POST Error Procedure
If more than one error code is displayed, diagnose the first error code
first. The cause of the first error code could cause other devices to fail.
This is especially important with configuration errors.
If no error codes appear, see if the error symptoms are listed in the Error
list.
If an adapter consists of multiple FRUs (memory for example) remove the
optional FRUs one at a time to see if symptoms change before replacing the
adapter.
External surge suppressors may be the source for hard to diagnose problems.
Dead System (no POST, screen blank, no beep)
The most likely cause is a device that is shorting out the power supply. An
improperly inserted memory module, a defective adapter or device can cause a
short circuit. To prevent damage to a power supply, the system board must
present a "Power Good" signal to the power supply in 150 ms or less. If this
does not occur, then the power supply shuts down internally.
Known dufus tricks- SIMM inserted backwards (with enough force ANYTHING is
possible). adapter not fully seated in expansion slot, power cord not plugged
in, unsupported/defective adapter (Non-IBM adapter, like ALR), or with a
heavily loaded system, too many drives starting at once (overcurrent as the
drives attempt to spin up- leave motor start jumper open to start drives after
the controller interrogates them).
Troubleshooting a Dead System
Verify that power is on (power cord plugged in?). If the system has
power, then go to step 2.
Note: Intermittent and very difficult to diagnose
system problems, may be caused by line cords which are not fully seated, or are
too loose to make a tight connection.
When troubleshooting intermittent post errors, or any unusual, system
problems, (for example; system performs power-on reset unexpectedly during
operation) check the line cord for proper seating. Slight forming of the male
contacts in the system unit power supply connector may correct the problem -OR-
you can sometimes adjust the female contacts in the line cord plug.
Warning! Remove line cord from outlet before
working on line cord contacts!
Replacing the line cord may be necessary in some cases. Both ends of the
line cord should be checked.
Remove all adapters, options, extra memory, etc.
Remove all external connections, KB, mouse, display, etc. Plug in, power on, listen for a beep. The beep indicates POST has run.
Multiple beeps may occur. -
A) If no beep is heard, verify continuity through speaker.
If OK, replace system board memory and retry # 3.
If still no beep, verify PSU voltages. If voltages are OK, replace system board.
If voltages are incorrect, replace the power supply.
85/95 PS
90 PS
500 PS
Note: On systems with LogicLock, the switches used
to detect unauthorized access might be put in the wrong position during case
re-installation.
Unit does not run with cover
removed (9556/57 9576/77)
B) If a beep occurs, reinstall adapters one at a time and return to step 3.
When something is added and the beep is no longer heard, the last item plugged
in is probably defective. At this point, it is not necessary to reconfigure the
system each time an adapter or device is added because we expect any beep.
Batteries
Defective or weak batteries can cause loss of all setup information. If only
part of the setup is lost, the battery is probably NOT the cause. Inaccurate
time is usually caused by software, but some of the older models with the 6V
batteries are more prone to time slowing down.
Clearing 96 8N1 (from Peter Wendt)
IBM says "Replace the battery and restart the system." See HMM, Oct 1994 -
"96 8N1 Error Message"(page 446
physical). Empirical evidence tells a different story however.
Shortening the battery connectors (with the battery removed of course) *and*
toggling the startup password jumper seems to be the only fast cure. There
seems to be a board logic, that ANDs the two conditions after a power-on and
deletes the entire setup from the CMOS.
At least during the "hot phase" when the Model 90/95 machines could be found
in larger quantities at various customers this procedure was the only one that
worked reliably and fast enough. And I had quite a few 95s under service...
That worked every time I'd end in the "ASCII console mode" when fiddling
with various complex upgrades. Moving only the jumper or only isolating the
battery often did *not* cure it. Which is rather strange.
Password Jumper
Info about the password jumper HERE.
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