Filter
Top Products
SPD Troubleshooting Guide -8- 10/25/00
• What memory is the server using? Is it on the tested memory list? Contact your customer service
representative for the latest tested memory list.
• What chassis and power supply is the system using?
6) The bootup process takes too long
What most people typically consider “booting” actually involves multiple phases:
• BIOS Power-On Self Test (POST): includes the memory count and the keyboard/mouse and IDE drive
check.
• Option-ROM loading: Each device may load a portion of its operating code or “option ROM” into memory.
This is what you may see as the messages that come up identifying the add-in device such as a SCSI card
ROM.
• Operating system boot: During this time, the operating system takes control of the server and performs
whatever checks & setups are necessary for operation. An example of this is the Windows NT “blue boot
screen.”
A slow-down at any of these three points can produce what users perceive as a “slow boot.” The following is a list
of items that can produce a slower boot:
• Large memory configurations. Large memory installations can take 1-2 minutes to check. Extended
memory test can be disabled in BIOS setup to speed up the boot process when performing service which
requires multiple reboots, however this memory test should be enabled for normal system operation.
• Multiple SCSI adapters. SCSI adapters take time to load their option ROMs and execute their code that
scans for drives.
• Numerous SCSI devices. SCSI device adapters, like many other adapters, have option ROMs that must be
loaded into memory. Detection & option ROM loading takes additional time.
• Numerous other adapters. Many adapters have an option ROM that takes time to load into memory.
If your system does not have any of these items and you still experience an extended boot time, please fill out the
included customer support form and call your customer support representative. Please pay special attention to the
following information:
• Amount of memory in the system.
• What memory is the system using? Is it on the tested memory list? Contact your customer service
representative for the latest tested memory list.
• Number and type of adapters in the system (manufacturer and model number).
• The number and type of hard drives in the system (manufacturer and model number).