Reference and Diagnostic Diskettes Starting the Reference Diskette Starting the System Programs from the Hard Disk Backing Up and Restoring the System Partition Updating the System Partition Updates to the System Programs Device Drivers Main Menu The following are the selections available when you start the system programs. Included with each selection is a short description of its purpose. 1. Start operating system: Exits from the system programs and loads the operating system. 2. Backup/Restore system programs:
When you select this choice from the Main Menu, the following utility program
selections appear:
3. Update system programs:
Copies a new version of system programs to System Partition.
4. Set configuration:
Contains program with which you can view, change, back up, or restore the
configuration information stored in the battery-backed memory. It
also contains the Automatic Configuration program.
When you select Set configuration
from Main Menu, the following utility-program selections appear:
5. Set features: When selected from the Main Menu, the following selections appear: o Set date and time:
Lets you place the current date and time in battery-backed memory.
6. Copy an Option Diskette:
Copies configuration and diagnostic files from an Option Diskette.
Option Diskettes are included with many options. As part of the option-installation
procedure, you start the system programs, then copy the files from the
option diskette to the System Partition or to the backup copy of the Reference
Diskette. The server needs these files to make the new option
operational.
7. Test the computer:
Checks the computer hardware. If a problem occurs during this testing,
a message appears on the screen advising you of the action to take. If
you start system programs from the Reference Diskette and select this,
a message prompts you to insert Diagnostic Diskette.
8. More utilities:
When selected from the Main Menu, the utility-program selections appear:
o Display revision levels: Displays information that you might need if you require service. If you have a printer attached, you can print the information presented on the screen by pressing the Print Screen key. o Display system error log: Displays and resets the entries in the error log. As errors occur, they are recorded in this log. Error-log information is helpful when service is required. More information about using the error log is available in the Solving Problems. o Stand-alone utility information: Describes how to use the additional utility programs available on the Diagnostic Diskette. Some of these programs can be used only with specific operating systems. See Stand-Alone Utility Programs for additional information about using the programs. o Set and view system identification: Lets you either set the system identification (record your computer serial number) or view the system identification information about your server. This vital product data (VPD) includes the model code, submodel code, server serial number, and part-identification codes for the system board and processor board. o Set character font:
Lets you change the screen font. If you connect a non-ISO display (9515,
9517, and 9518 displays are ISO compliant) to your server, you can select
the appropriate font for that type of display. If you are attaching
anything else, check the documentation that comes with the device.
Reference and Diagnostic Diskettes The Reference Diskette and Diagnostic Diskette, which came with your system, contain a copy of the system programs. Collectively, the two diskettes are referred to as the System Diskettes. The system programs are in three places: o On the hard disk
The System Diskettes normally are used under the following conditions:
In non-array models, current system configuration information is maintained
in the System Partition. Instructions for backing up the System Partition
are in Backing Up and Restoring the System Partition. System configuration
information for disk-array models is maintained on diskette.
Starting the Reference Diskette To start the Reference Diskette: 1. Insert the Reference Diskette into your primary diskette drive. 2. Turn on the system. After a few moments, the system programs Main Menu appears. 3. Use the Up Arrow key or the Down Arrow key to highlight a choice; then press Enter. You can get help about any selection by highlighting it and pressing
F1. The active keys are shown at the bottom of the screen. If you
select Test the computer, the system prompts you to insert the Diagnostic
Diskette.
Starting the System Programs from the Hard Disk Note: Starting system programs from hard disk drive applies to non-disk-array servers only. To start the system programs from the hard disk drive:
Use the Up Arrow key or the Down Arrow key to highlight the selection;
then press Enter.
Subtopics:
Backing Up and Restoring the System Partition By making a backup copy of the System Partition, you are assured that you have an exact duplicate of the information stored there. Whenever you add information to the System Partition (for example, copy files from an Option Diskette when you install an option) you should make a new backup copy. This practice ensures that you can easily rebuild (restore) the System Partition in the unlikely event of a hard disk drive failure. Notes:
To back up or restore the System Partition:
Label the backup diskettes clearly with the following information:
In some cases, you might receive a message during the backup process
informing you that the entire partition will not fit on two diskettes.
This happens only if you have copied files from many Option Diskettes to
the System Partition. The only files that might be missing from the
backup diskettes are those associated with some options. If you ever need
to restore the System Partition, you can do so by using your backup diskettes
(Reference Diskette and Diagnostic Diskette) with the Restore the System
Partition program; then copy your Option Diskettes using the Copy an Option
Diskette program.
Updating the System Partition Micro Channel adapters and some other options are shipped with an Option Diskette. This diskette has files that the server uses to recognize the new option and set it up to operate correctly. As part of the option-installation procedure, you use the system programs to copy the files from the Option Diskette to the System Partition. New System Partition information is available from option diskettes and update diskettes. Use the instructions provided with these diskettes. NOTE: You MUST use Copy an Option Diskette from the Main Menu or the ADF, DGS, and other associated files will NOT be copied to the System (or Convenience) Partition. From hard experience, it is better to Copy an Option Diskette with the new files BEFORE installing the new adapter. Updates to the System Programs IBM sometimes makes changes and enhancements to the system programs. Periodically, updated versions of the Reference Diskette and Diagnostic Diskette, which contain the system programs, are made available. (Try Kevin's mirror of the PCBBS first... ) Instructions for updating the System Partition with new system programs are provided with the diskettes. Note: This applies to non-disk array models only. Device Drivers Your server might need device drivers that let certain operating systems and application programs take full advantage of features such as high-resolution color images and improved performance. Not all programs need these device drivers. Several device driver diskette images are available on the ServerGuide CD. Use the Diskette Factory utility on the ServerGuide CD to create the device driver diskettes of your choice. See the documentation that came with the ServerGuide CD for more information about the Diskette Factory utility. |