Chapter 1. Messages Guide and Reference Overview

This section discusses the different types of error messages and the organization of recovery information for each type.

This guide contains information about the two types of numbered error messages: three-digit messages displayed on the system operator panel, and seven-digit software messages displayed at the AIX command line.

Your system is shipped with approximately 25,000 seven-digit software messages. Detailed recovery procedures are listed for only a small percentage of these messages. If you find that there is no detailed recovery information available for a specific message, check the general recovery procedures in Chapter 3, "Recovering from Software Errors"or the brief summary information provided for all known seven-digit messages in the Error Messages Index .

Installation messages are documented in the AIX Installation Guide. Other messages may be included in the documentation for specific licensed programs, such as language manuals.

Notes:

1. AIX contains a small number of eight-digit messages, which are treated as seven-digit messages in this guide.
2. For some messages, the procedures for recovery require you to have root authority or to be logged in as the root user. If you do not have root authority, contact your system administrator.

Types of Messages

There are three types of messages:

• Informational messages with no number. These messages are usually self-explanatory messages or prompts that are generated by the operating system. These messages are not included in this document.
• Error messages with seven-digit or eight-digit numbers, displayed at the command line or in a pop-up window. These messages usually consist of a seven-digit number and a line of text explaining the error. Often, the error message also includes the name of the command that resulted in the error. These messages warn of problems such as insufficient permissions, lack of memory, or incorrectly entered flags.
• Three-digit messages displayed on an LED panel on the server or system unit. These messages are caused by hardware problems or software problems. The messages consist only of numbers or number-letter combinations, and may be either steady or flashing. These messages warn of system problems, conditions such as booting status, or configuration problems. Most of the three-digit messages are progress indicators that are only briefly displayed.

This guide includes the following information to help you recover from errors with numbered messages:

• "Three-Digit Display Values" provides recovery information for three-digit messages on the operator panel. It contains sections on a flashing value of 888, a steady single value, booting problems, and your boot device status. It also contains a list of all three-digit display values and their recovery procedures.
• "Recovering from Software Errors" introduces general recovery procedures for seven-digit messages with no specific recovery procedures. It includes procedures for identifying the problem and recovering from problems with read permission, write permission, execute permission, and lack of memory.

• "Seven-Digit Message Recovery" provides detailed recovery articles for seven-digit error messages that receive the most calls for support. These articles list known problems that cause the error, and recovery procedures for each known problem.
• Error Message Index provides brief information on all known AIX seven-digit error messages. This information includes the name of the command that probably generated the error message, and any related commands or articles that might help you solve your problem. If there is a detailed error recovery article for the message, the Message Index article refers you to the article.
• "Error Message Acronyms" in Appendix A defines the acronyms used in this book.

If you have system problems that do not involve numbered error messages, see the "Symptom Index" in the AIX Version 4.3 Problem Solving Guide and Reference. The AIX Version 4.3 Problem Solving Guide and Reference contains information on solving problems with inactive systems, terminals, system clocks, devices, media, networks, printers, and AIX installation and maintenance. It also discusses hardware diagnostics, the Error Logging Facility, the Trace Facility, and the System Dump Facility.