User Manual

107
6
Tests and Error Messages
This chapter describes the MaxiLife firmware test sequences and error
messages, the Power-On-Self-Test (POST) routines, which are contained in
the computer’s ROM BIOS, the error messages which can result, and the
suggestions for corrective action.
MaxiLife Test Sequence and Error Messages
When the PC Workstation is turned on (pressing the ON/OFF button), the
system initiates the normal startup sequence which is composed of the
following steps:
• Basic pre-boot diagnostics
• BIOS launch
• POST phase
• Operating System boot phase
If any errors are detected during the startup sequence, MaxiLife will not
necessarily ‘freeze’ the system. However, some critical hardware errors are
fatal to the system and will prevent the system from starting (for example,
‘Power’ and ‘Board PLL’ are serious malfunctions that will prevent the CPU
from working correctly).
Errors that are not so critical will be detected both during pre-boot
diagnostics and POST where the BIOS boot process will abort after beeping.
The MaxiLife LCD status panel will display the error. Some errors are only
detected during POST sequence, and produce the same abort process.
Finally, while the PC Workstation is working, fan and temperature controls
can be reported (for example, a fan error will be reported if a fan cable is not
connected). This type of error disappears as soon as the problem is fixed
(for example, the fan cable has been reconnected).
The different diagnostics are described below.