Compaq ProLiant ML350 Server General Troubleshooting Guide

Compaq Confidential – Need to Know Required
Writer: Susana Weinstein Salazar Project: Compaq Servers Troubleshooting Guide Comments:
Part Number: 161434-001 File Name: h-ch7 Preventing Future Problems.doc Last Saved On: 9/2/99 1:52 PM
Chapter 7
Preventing Future Problems
This chapter provides information to help you avoid future problems. While
most of the pointers provided are common sense suggestions, these prevention
tasks are too important to overlook.
Preparing for Changes
Most problems occur when something in the server system has been changed.
Use these tips to prepare for any changes.
■ Back up your system often. Verify that the backups are good before
making changes. If the system contains valuable data, have at least two
complete known good backups of the operating system and data, a copy
of the backup software, and a functional tape drive that can read the
backup. Two backups ensure complete data recovery in case something
happens to the first tape or during the first restore attempt.
■ Obtain a record of all other settings. Use the “Information You’ll Need”
section in Chapter 1 as a guide for the type of information to record.
■ Document the system settings. If the system configuration will be
changed, first obtain a record of the current system configuration
settings. Create a BACKUP.SCI file to a diskette before making any
changes. This can be accomplished by going into the system partition by
using the F10 key during the boot-up process. Select System
Configuration, Configuration Backup, Backup to a System
Configuration SCI file, Enter filename (BACKUP.SCI) and press Enter
to write the data to a diskette. Also, print out an Inspect report; see
Chapter 4 for instructions.