NonStop S-Series Operations Guide (G06.29+)
Introduction to NonStop S-Series Operations
HP NonStop S-Series Operations Guide—522459-009
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Task 1: Get the Facts
Task 1: Get the Facts
The first step in solving any problem is to get the facts. Although it is tempting to 
speculate about causes, your time is better spent in first understanding the symptoms 
of the problem.
Task 1a: Determine the Facts About the Problem 
To get a clear, complete description of problem symptoms, ask questions to determine 
the facts about the problem. For example:
Task 1b: Determine the Facts About the Situation
Collect facts about the situation in which the problem arose. A clear description of the 
situation that led to the problem could indicate a simple solution. Examples of 
questions to ask are:
•
Who reported the problem and how can this person be contacted?
•
How critical is the situation?
•
What events led to the problem?
•
Has anything changed recently that might have caused the problem?
•
What event messages have you received?
•
What is the current configuration of the hardware and software products affected?
An example of information you might obtain from asking questions:
Category Questions to Ask
What? What are you having trouble with?
What specifically is wrong?
Where? Where did you first notice the problem?
Where has it occurred since you first noticed it?
Which applications, components, devices, and people are affected?
When? When did the problem occur?
What is the frequency of the problem?
Has this problem occurred before this time?
Magnitude? Is the problem quantifiable in any way? (That is, can it be measured?) For 
example, how many people are affected? Is this problem getting worse?
Question Answer
What is happening that 
indicates a problem?
A terminal is hung.
Where is this problem 
occurring?
In the office of USER.BONNIE. The affected terminal is 
named $JT1.#C02.
When is this problem occurring? At 8:30 this morning and also at the same time two days 
ago. Both times, this problem occurred after three 
unsuccessful attempts to log on.
What is the magnitude of this 
problem?
Intermittent; the problem seemed to disappear on its own 
when it first occurred two days ago.










