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Quick Beginnings

Starting Your System

Starting a session on your system is the first step in doing work on your system. After your system is turned on, just log in to the system to begin a session. To end your session, just log off the system. Logging-off procedures are detailed in the specific interface sections.

This section describes the following tasks:

Determining If Your System Is On

The system is on if the power-on light is glowing and the power switch is set to On (I). The System and Display Power Switches illustration shows some possible locations of the power switches.

If the system unit's power-on light is on, proceed to Checking the Display Screen .

Starting Your System

The following describes how to start a workstation. If you work at a terminal, the only feature you probably have is the power-on switch.

  1. Set the power switches of each attached device (except for the system unit) to On.
  2. Set the key mode switch (if your system has one) on the system unit to Normal as shown in the Key Mode Switch illustration.

    The key mode switch (if your system has one) controls the type of initial program started. Setting the mode to Normal permits the operating system to load. To learn more about the key mode switch, refer to the operator's guide for your system unit.

  3. Start the system unit by setting the power switch to On (I).

    When you set the power switch to On, the power-on light comes on, and the system starts an internal power-on self-test (POST).

    If the power-on light does not come on, check the power cord located at the back of the system unit. It may not be plugged into a working electrical outlet. If this does not solve the problem, refer to the AIX Version 4.3 Problem Solving Guide and Reference.

  4. Look at the three-digit display, as shown in the Three-Digit Display illustration.

    The three-digit display on the operator panel has the following functions:
    Note: Not all system units have a three-digit display; instead, some system units use status messages and error logs to report the progress of the unit. If your system unit does not have a three-digit display, refer to your unit's user guide for more information about errors and recovery.

    During the POST, the code displayed shows the progress of the testing. When the self-tests complete without error, the three-digit display is blank.

    If an error that requires attention occurs, a three-digit code remains, and the system unit stops. Consult your system administrator or refer to the AIX Version 4.3 Problem Solving Guide and Reference for more information about error codes and recovery.

    Note: In some systems, if you start with the key mode switch in the Secure position, the power-on light does not come on, and the three-digit display remains blank. If this happens to you, just move the key to the Normal position and press the Reset button.

    The following list explains the uses of the key mode switch positions. Your system unit may not have a key mode switch.

    Normal Use this position for attended operation. It is the usual or normal placement of the key mode switch when an operator is present and in control of operation at the system unit.
    Secure Use this position for unattended operation in an open environment. This prevents a passerby from accidentally pressing the Reset button and causing a loss of data. In the Secure position, the Reset button is not active.
    Service Use this position for attended operation when hardware or software service is conducted. The Service position starts operating system keyboard sequences that support error determination and storage printout.
    If there is a problem with the system unit, refer to the AIX Version 4.3 Problem Solving Guide and Reference before setting the mode switch in the Service position or pressing the Reset button.

Checking the Display Screen

The display or monitor is on if its power-on light is glowing. If the display is on and its screen is dark, adjust the brightness control. If you have a screen saver program running, just press any key or move your mouse. Usually, you can locate the power switches and controls below or to the side of the screen. The Computer System Display or Terminal illustration shows the switches on a display. Your display may not necessarily look like this one.

Display Powered On

If your display is off, set the display power switch to On, and adjust the controls if necessary.

Your display may have a tilt feature that lets you position the screen at a comfortable viewing angle. While working at your display, adjust the controls so that the screen image is easily viewable. For more information, see your display operator's guide.


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