Basic troubleshooting, Overview, Initial user contact – Dell PowerVault 715N (Rackmount NAS Appliance) User Manual
Page 7: External visual inspection
Basic Troubleshooting
Dell™ PowerVault™ 715N Systems Service Manual
Obtaining Technical Assistance
Overview
This section describes basic troubleshooting procedures that can help you diagnose a system problem. The procedures can
often reveal the source of a problem or indicate the correct starting point for servicing the system. See your Installation
and Troubleshooting Guide for more detailed instructions on troubleshooting your system.
A brief explanation of how to load and start the system diagnostics can be found in "
."
NOTE:
To perform troubleshooting, you can use the console redirection function on the serial port (COM1). See the
System Administrator's Guide for more information about console redirection.
Perform the following procedures in the order presented.
Initial User Contact
When you first contact a user who has a problem, ask the user to describe the problem and the conditions under which it
occurs. After the user describes the problem, perform the following steps:
1. Ask the user to back up any data on the hard drive if the system’s condition permits.
See the documentation provided with the operating system or applications software for information about backing
up data.
2. Ask the user to duplicate the problem by repeating the operations he or she was performing at the time the
problem occurred.
Can the user duplicate the problem?
Yes. Proceed to step 3.
No. Proceed to the next section, "
3. Observe the user to determine if he or she is making an error, such as typing an incorrect key combination or
entering a command incorrectly.
Is the problem a result of user error?
Yes. Instruct the user in the proper procedure or direct the user to the appropriate user documentation for the
correct procedure.
No. Proceed to "
."
External Visual Inspection
Improperly set switches, controls, and loose or improperly connected cables are the most likely source of problems for the
system or other peripherals. A quick check of all the switches, controls, and cable connections can easily solve the
problems.
The external visual inspection consists of a quick inspection of the exterior of the system and cables. While performing the
visual inspection, make any necessary corrections. To perform the external visual inspection, perform the following steps: