Apple xserve early 2009 User Manual

Xserve (Early 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 41 2010-06-28
Kernel Panic/System Crashes
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Memory Issues/Kernel panic and 
freezes
• Unit has kernel panic or freezes 
on startup or when operating
• Memory not recognized in 
System Profiler or in Memory 
Slot Utility
• Fans running fast
1. After power ON, verify Front Panel power LED 
illuminated, and not flashing any error sequences 
indicating a memory failure.
2.  Verify with known good and compatible memory...

Xserve (Early 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 42 2010-06-28
3. Disconnect all peripherals and 
expansion cards. Verify that 
Xserve starts without issue.
YesSuspect peripherals or 
expansion cards as cause. 
Reconnect one at a time, 
verifying system operation at 
each stage
NoSystem had kernel panic or 
freeze during Boot. Go to 
Step 4
4.  Verify all fans in fan array are 
spinning and there is adequate 
airflow inside and around the 
Xserve 
YesAll fans are spinning, and 
adequate...

Xserve (Early 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power Issues 43 2010-06-28
Uncategorized Symptom
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Uncategorized Symptom
Unable to locate appropriate 
symptom code
Verify whether existing symptom code applies to the 
issue reported by the user. If not, document reported 
symptoms and send feedback to smfeedback@apple.
com stating that suitable symptom code could not 
be found.  

Xserve (Early 2009) Symptom Charts — Mass Storage 44 2010-06-28
Mass Storage
Apple Drive Module Read/Write Issue
Unlikely cause: Optical drive, logic board, processors.
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Read/Write Issues / Bad Blocks / 
Drive Formatting Issues 
• Cannot save documents
• Read/Write error message
• Hang when accessing or 
saving data.
• Intermittent unexpected 
hanging
• Slow drive module 
performance
1. Reseat any affected drives into other bays.
2.  Boot from Install DVD. Verify S.M.A.R.T....

Xserve (Early 2009) Symptom Charts — Mass Storage 45 2010-06-28
4. Run Repair Disk on the volume 
using Disk Utility. Did Disk 
Utility mount and repair 
volume successfully?
YesReturn to Quick Checks to 
verify that the drive module 
no longer has read-write 
errors.
NoGo to Step 5
5. Remove the original drive 
module from the Xserve and 
inspect it for any damage to its 
connector or the connector in 
that drive bay of the Xserve. Is 
damage present?
YesDo not re-install the drive 
module if its...

Xserve (Early 2009) Symptom Charts — Mass Storage 46 2010-06-28
8. Replace the Backplane-to-
Logic Board I/O Cable. Format 
known-good drive module 
using Disk Utility and select 
‘zero all data’ option to remap 
bad blocks. Verify this drive 
module formats successfully 
with no significant errors or 
large numbers of bad blocks 
using Disk Utility log.
YesIssue resolved.X03
NoGo to Step 9
9. Replace Drive Interconnect 
Backplane.  Format known-
good drive module using 
Disk Utility and select ‘zero...

Xserve (Early 2009) Symptom Charts — Mass Storage 47 2010-06-28
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode
1. Press the SMC Reset button 
on the logic board to reset 
the SMC. Verify that the 
Xserve now recognizes the 
drive module.
YesIssue resolved.
NoGo to Step 2
2.  Check internal diagnostic 
LEDs.  Go to diagnostic LED 
section for more information. 
Verify that the Xserve now 
recognizes the drive module.
YesIssue resolved.
NoGo to Step 3
3. Start up from Install disc and 
launch Disk Utility. Is user’s...

Xserve (Early 2009) Symptom Charts — Mass Storage 48 2010-06-28
8. Remove and re-seat Drive 
Interconnect Backplane and 
retest. Verify that the Xserve 
now recognizes the drive 
module.
YesIssue resolved.X03
NoGo to Step 9
9. Replace the Backplane-to-
Logic Board I/O Cable and 
retest. Verify that the Xserve 
now recognizes the drive 
module.
YesIssue resolved.X03
NoReinstall the Backplane-to-
Logic Board I/O Cable. Go to 
Step 10
10.  Replace Drive Interconnect 
Backplane and retest. Verify 
that the...

Xserve (Early 2009) Symptom Charts — Mass Storage 49 2010-06-28
Deep Dive
CheckResultActionCode
1. Boot from Install DVD and 
launch Disk Utility.  Is the 
affected drive module 
available for Disk Utility to 
repair?
YesGo to Step 2
NoReplace affected drive module 
or branch to “Drive module 
not recognized/mount” 
troubleshoot guide
H01
2.  Repair the affected drive 
module using Disk Utility and 
verify it completed successfully
YesGo to Step 3
NoGo to Step 4
3. Remove the customer drive 
module(s),...

Xserve (Early 2009) Symptom Charts — Mass Storage 50 2010-06-28
Optical Drive Read/Write Issue
Quick Check
SymptomQuick Check
Optical Drive Read/Write Data 
Error
• Errors when writing optical 
media
• Errors when reading optical 
media
• Hang when accessing or 
preparing to write data.
1. Test optical media in another drive of the same 
type in same type of machine to rule out the 
media issue.
2.  For write issues, check with known-good media 
that performs well in another computer and 
optical drive...