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# Troubleshooting

Avoiding PCMCIA card problems
Interpreting MAX 800 error messages

## Avoiding PCMCIA card problems

To avoid problems with PCMCIA card modems and ISDN adapters, be sure to use the proper cables, card modems, and ISDN adapters.

### Use the correct cable

Use the modem cable or ISDN cable provided with your PCMCIA card or one recommended by the manufacturer. Although many cables look alike, you can not be sure that they are wired identically.

If you disconnect more than one cable at a time, label each one.

### Use approved PCMCIA card modems

If you use modems, you should use only PCMCIA card modems that are on Ascend's approved modem list. The modem list is maintained on the Ascend Web site (`http://www.ascend.com/modemlist`).

If you install a modem that is not on the approved modem list, the MAX 800 first tries to configure it with a Hayes-compatible setup string. If the MAX 800 is still unable to read your PCMCIA card, the ON light associated with the PCMCIA card slot flashes, indicating that the MAX 800 is trying to configure the card.

If the MAX 800 is able to configure the modem, the light stops flashing in about 15 seconds and remains on. Otherwise, the light continues to blink.

### Use Ascend PCMCIA card ISDN adapters

The MAX 800 supports Ascend PCMCIA card ISDN adapters only.

## Interpreting MAX 800 error messages

During the Power-On Self Test (POST), the MAX 800 reports three types of errors:

- Noncritical errors, which are informational only.

- Critical errors, which you should notice and remedy, though they do not limit the ability of the MAX 800 to function (for example, a dead battery).

- Fatal errors, which shut down the MAX 800 and may require you to contact Ascend Customer Service for repair.

  Figure B-1. MAX 800 indicator lights

The MAX 800 reports errors only during the startup sequence after it is powered on. It reports errors by turning on one or more of the 32 PCMCIA-card status indicator lights (labeled Modem Status) on the front as shown in Figure B-1.

The light in the upper left corner (PCMCIA card 1 ON) represents error message 0. The lights are then numbered horizontally from left to right, to match error message numbers from 0 to 15. The lights in the bottom row are numbered, starting with the lower left corner light (PCMCIA card 2 ON), horizontally from left to right, to match error message numbers from 16 to 31.

Note: After startup, while PCMCIA cards are in use, flashing lights are normal and do not indicate errors. For more information about status information obtained from indicator lights during normal operation, see Indicator light activity for PCMCIA cards.

During the startup sequence, fatal or critical errors are also output to the control port in the following format:

`POST failed:` `nnnnnnnn`

where `nnnnnnnn` is a hexadecimal representation of the error bits, with error 0 as the least significant bit and error 31 as the most significant bit.

Generally, errors do not occur individually. More often, they are in groups of associated errors. If an error occurs, write down the error number(s) and contact Ascend Customer Service. Table B-1 describes the various possible errors.

Table B-1. Light error indicators

#### Light | #### Severity | #### Description
--- | --- | ---
0 | Fatal | CPU error
1 | Unused
2 | Fatal | SIMM DRAM error
3 | Critical | Battery error
4 | Fatal | SRAM - Compare
5 | Fatal | SRAM error
6 | Critical | SRAM - Compare error when restored from DRAM
7 | Fatal | Timer error
8 | Critical | Serial port error
9 | Fatal | DMA Controller error
10 | Unused
11 | Unused
12 | Unused
13 | Fatal | MACE error (AMD 79C940)
14 | Unused
15 | Noncritical | PCMCIA card 1 error
16 | Noncritical | PCMCIA card 2 error
17 | Noncritical | PCMCIA card 3 error
18 | Noncritical | PCMCIA card 4 error
19 | Noncritical | PCMCIA card 5 error
20 | Noncritical | PCMCIA card 6 error
21 | Noncritical | PCMCIA card 7 error
22 | Noncritical | PCMCIA card 8 error
23 | Unused
24 | Unused
25 | Critical | Interrupt error
26 | Unused
27 | Unused
28 | Unused
29 | Unused
30 | Unused
31 | Unused

Copyright © 1998, Ascend Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.