got error msg -- "EARLY BOOT VFP: SYSTEM ALERT" during boot

[Sunny_Zhang]

I got the following error message during reboot my 9000 server:

***** EARLY BOOT VFP : SYSTEM ALERT *****
SYSTEM NAME: hp02-console
DATE: 11/29/2005 TIME: 06:08:38
ALERT LEVEL: 6 = Boot possible, pending failure - action required

REASON FOR ALERT
SOURCE: 8 = I/O
SOURCE DETAIL: 9 = serial SOURCE ID: 0
PROBLEM DETAIL: 3 = functional failure

LEDs: RUN ATTENTION FAULT REMOTE POWER
FLASH FLASH OFF ON ON
LED State: Running non-OS code. Non-critical error detected.
Check Chassis and Console Logs for error messages.

0x00000063890014C0 00000000 00000000 - type 0 = Data Field Unused
0x58000863890014C0 0000690A 1D060826 - type 11 = Timestamp 11/29/2005 06:08:38
A/a: ack read of this entry - Q/q: quit Virtual Front Panel Display
Anything else redisplay the log entry
->Choice:Timeout!
*****************************************

*****************************************

************ EARLY BOOT VFP *************
End of early boot detected
*****************************************
DoCalllist done

After the above message, the system continue to reboot into diskOS. But I can not interrupt the boot process to get into BCH due to this problem. Also it looks like a hardware failure to me. Could someone point it to me what is going on with my system. Thanks!

[Joseph Loo]

hi,

u may have to capture the GSP error log and open a HP support call

Ctrl+B to proceed to GSP:

GSP> sl
select "e" for Error

regards.

[Sunny_Zhang]

Hi Joseph,

Thank you for your reply. I did what you suggested, and got the following log entry which doesn't mean much to me. Any idea? Thanks!

Log Entry # 2 :
SYSTEM NAME: hp02-console
DATE: 11/29/2005 TIME: 05:23:15
ALERT LEVEL: 6 = Boot possible, pending failure - action required

SOURCE: 8 = I/O
SOURCE DETAIL: 9 = serial SOURCE ID: 0
PROBLEM DETAIL: 3 = functional failure

CALLER ACTIVITY: 1 = test STATUS: 0
CALLER SUBACTIVITY: 4C = implementation dependent
REPORTING ENTITY TYPE: 0 = system firmware REPORTING ENTITY ID: 00

0x00000063890014C0 00000000 00000000 type 0 = Data Field Unused
0x58000863890014C0 0000690A 1D05170F type 11 = Timestamp 11/29/2005 05:23:15

[Joseph Loo]

hi dawn,

do u have HP hardware support? if u do, send the log to them for assistance as it could be a hardware fault.

regards.

[melvyn burnard]

You appear to have some foprm of hardware issue related to the console. I recommend you log a call with your local HP response Centre for this.

[Stefan Stechemesser]

Hi,

I assume you already tried to reset the GSP (f.e. by unplugging the power cords fo ~ 30 sec) ?
Can you access the GSP (CTRL-B) ?
What was done before you first observed this error ?
Did you try resetting your Terminal ? (for a HP 700/96 terminal: turn off, then press "d" during you turn on and release "d" after 10 seconds).

best regards

Stefan

[Sunny_Zhang]

Yes, I can access GSP console, and I am using minicom to access the console.

[Sameer_Nirmal · Accepted solution]

Hi,

The alert specifies a funcational failure of serial I/O communication with system serial console.

As I understand the problem , when the system was rebooted , "Early Boot VFP" alert appeared and the system could able to boot successfully without asking for " Press any key to interrupt boot process".
As you said , the system serial console is accessed through minicom , the serial I/O communication failure could be because of problem at minicom end. To diagnose, next time when you reboot the system ,
Reset the GSP
Use LAN console
Disconnect the cable connected at Serial console.
Observe if you get the alert or not.

By the way , which 9000 server you have?

[Sunny_Zhang]

Hi Sameer,

Thank you for your reply. Yes, you understand my problem perfectly, and I will try your suggestion. The reason why I didn't use LAN console access is that I have to re-configure the ipaddress since the machine is connect to a different subnet now, but I don't have Admin password (The people who changed the default passwd forgot the current one. :-P). Is there anyway I can reset the password to the default?

My HP9000 is rp2430. Thanks!

[Sunny_Zhang]

Never mind, I found that tiny hole on the back of my system -- GSP reset. Thanks everyone for the help.