Service manual

The VAX Diagnostic Supervisor (VAX/DS) can be run in interactive mode.
You type commands in response to the VAX/DS program prompt:
DS>
VAX/DS lets you load diagnostic programs into system memory, select
devices to be tested, and run the programs. The VAX/DS command
language also lets you control the execution of diagnostic programs; you
can specify which tests or sections of a program should run, and how many
passes it should run. You can also show the current state of parameters
that affect the operation of diagnostic programs. The programs report their
results through VAX/DS to the terminal.
VAX/DS supports three types of diagnostic programs:
• Logic tests
Test a specific section of a device’s logic circuitry. Logic tests provide the
greatest degree of detail in determining the location of faulty hardware.
• Function tests
Test the functions of the device. For example, a function test for a disk
drive would test the drive’s reading and writing capabilities. Function
tests can detect the location of faulty hardware, although the results
may be less exact than those of a logic test.
• Exercisers
Test entire systems or subsystems and verify that a system can function
properly over a period of time. Exercisers can detect both hardware
faults resulting from the simultaneous use of a system’s numerous
devices and intermittent faults occurring only once or twice over a long
period of time.
Table 2–9 lists the VAX/DS programs available for the <REFERENCE>(rigel)
and <REFERENCE>(hyperion) systems. Each program has a HELP file
available. To access the help files for any diagnostic, at the VAX/DS prompt,
type:
DS> HELP [VAX/DS diagnostic program name]
Diagnostics 2–31