22.1. Assessing Normal Operation

Before you can begin to identify a system failure, you must understand how the system should operate under normal circumstances. Recognizing when a system is performing normally as well as understanding what a system requires to operate properly will help you identify a malfunctioning system.

You also should be able to recognize the warning signs of a failed or failing component. These signs or symptoms may include consistent or intermittent error codes, loss of functionality, or a change in the time the system takes to perform a task.

Among other things, you should understand the following:

• Which LEDs illuminate when and why

• The order in which system components power-up

• The importance of SCSI termination

• The order in which files load during the boot sequence

Not understanding how a system or subsystem operates can lead to unnecessary part replacement, unneeded software upgrades, as well as wasted time and effort. These actions lead to unnecessary downtime and negatively impact customer satisfaction.

When you understand how a system operates under normal circumstances, you are ready to begin implementing the HP troubleshooting methodology on a malfunctioning system.