Troubleshooting a System Crash Checklist

Is a system crash dump available? 

Identify the operating system release and appropriate software application release levels. 

Identify system hardware. 

Include prtdiag output for sun4u systems. Include Explorer output for other systems.

Are patches installed? If so, include showrev -p output.

Is the problem reproducible? 

Does the system have any third-party drivers? 

What was the system doing before it crashed? 

Were there any unusual console messages right before the system crashed? 

Did you add any parameters to the /etc/system file?

Did the problem start recently?