SRC 0000BBBB
When a machine displays the system reference code (SRC) 0000BBBB on its display after plugging in the power, accompanied by the amber alert LED, then the culprit is usually just an empty battery in the inside bowels of the machine. It's most often a Coin Cell Type CR2450.
A battery is not necessary to power up the machine. It's just needed to keep the real-time clock ticking when the machine is unplugged from mains.
Note:The (newer) machines I know have no hardware power switch[1]. If powered down, part of the power supply is still running to keep the LCD backlight on, and allow changes via the panel buttons. Also, the real-time clock is fed from that power source as long as it's available. This also means that the battery will actually only discharge when the machine isn't kept on mains power. Even if it's not running.
Replacing the battery
In the early 1990's, IBM switched from classic batteries for its machines to button cells.
See the photo on the right. On the left side of the holder there are "ears" on the plastic holder, kind of clamps where the button cell is supposed to slide underneath to stay put. And on the right side, two metal "arms" can be seen, a spring contact. It's supposed to press the button cell under the "ears"/clamps on the left side, so it can't jump out.
The trick to remove the button cell is to push it a bit downwards towards the holder bottom, to release tension between the clamps and the cell, and at the same time use a flat blade screwdriver to compensate for the spring contact's push from the right side. The goal is to gently move the cell a bit to the right by wiggling and rotating the screwdriver cautiously. Once the cell's rim is no longer under the clamps, tilt the screwdriver to force the coin up and out of the holder at its left side.
Note: The CR2450 cells being sold nowadays are much thicker than the originals and won't fit into the gap between the clamps and the holder's bottom. Still, the springs provide enough tension to have the new cell stay put, even if it looks like Ugh, this will fall out any moment!.
See also
Weblinks
- 0000BBBB auf AS/400-Display, PoCnet Knowledgebase.
Footnotes
- ↑ Exception: The 9401-P02.