IBM-AUSTRIA - PC-HW-Support    30 Aug 1999

UNABLE TO RUN "ENHANCED" POST IF POST WATCHDOG TIMER IS SET

    Record number:       H09289
    Device:              D/T8660
    Model:               M
    Hit count:           UHC00000
    Success count:       USC0000
    Publication code:    PC50
    Tip key:             004
    Date created:        O99/05/11
    Date last altered:   A99/05/14
    Owning B.U.:         USA


Abstract: UNABLE TO RUN "ENHANCED" POST IF POST WATCHDOG TIMER IS SET

TEXT:

Can not run enhanced POST if the POST watchdog timer is set.

SYMPTOMS:

If the POST watchdog timer is set (in the Advanced System Management Processor) and enhanced POST is enabled in system Configuration/Setup, the system may reboot continuously during POST.
The reboot may occur before video is displayed to the monitor so the monitor display will be blank.
After three (3) reboots the system's Configuration/Setup settings will go back to defaults (i.e. the enhanced POST setting will go back to quick POST) and the system will boot normally.

PROBLEM ISOLATION AIDS:

•  The system is any of the following IBM servers:

    a Netfinity 5500-M20 server, Type 8662, any Model.
    a Netfinity 5500-M10 server, Type 8661, any Model.
    a Netfinity 5500 server, Type 8660, any Model.

•  The system is configured with one (1) Processor.
•  POST is set to enhanced in Configuration/Setup.
•  The POST watchdog timer is enabled in the Advanced System Management Processor.

WORKAROUND:

If the POST watchdog timer is enabled in the Advanced System Management Processor, then POST should NOT be set to enhanced.

DETAILS:

When POST is set to enhanced, it will take a longer time to complete (the more memory installed in the system, the more time enhanced POST will take).
If the POST Watchdog timer is enabled, it will reboot the system during POST if POST continues past the time value set within the watchdog timer.
It will continue to reboot the system until the Configuration/Setup settings are reset to defaults (i.e. quick post) on the third incomplete boot.
If the POST watchdog timer is being used, then POST should NOT be set to enhanced.

Please see the LEGAL  -  Trademark notice.
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