topic Re: Smart Array 6400 Accelerator Battery Failures in ProLiant Servers (ML,DL,SL)

Smart Array 6400 Accelerator Battery Failures

Tom123 — Mon, 19 Dec 2005 04:58:07 GMT

I have had a number of DL380G3 servers all with 6400 Smart Array controllers fitted in which the server is reporting a battery failure.The fix as advised by HP was to upgarde the firmware on the controller to the latest version v2.34 which worked in some cases but not all.Changing the battery as well as upgrading the controller firmware solved the problem.I am now getting the same errors again less that 4 months later.The issue as stated by HP is that there is a "False reporting issue".So does that mean the battery is fine but the server is misreporting (Agents misreporting ?)When i reboot the server i get a post error saying "battery low".

These batteries should last at least 3 years so i dont think there is a battery issue as such.The firmware was up to date at the time so do i have to update the firmware again.

If so why.....if you can help that would be good.
I change a battery on a server in which the firmware which was v2.34 and has been working fine,the battery then failed as reported by insight manager.I replaced the battery recently and the battery is still showing failed in insight manager.

Re: Smart Array 6400 Accelerator Battery Failures

Tom123 — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 06:52:46 GMT

A bit surprised at the lack of response to this issue,I was hoping that others had experienced the same problem.One of the server's in question is reporting the battery as recharging and has been doing so for the past 2 weeks.The other server is reporting a failed battery,although the firmware on the controller was upgraded to v2.43 and fitted with a new battery.

Re: Smart Array 6400 Accelerator Battery Failures

christine betz — Mon, 20 Mar 2006 10:41:31 GMT

Hello,

we have nearly the same problem with a ML350G3 and a smart array 6400.
Did you solve the problem up to now?

Thanks
Christine

Re: Smart Array 6400 Accelerator Battery Failures

Sven Rubach — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 01:36:36 GMT

Hello,
We have the same problem using Proliant ML570G2 including Smart Array 6400 controller. We use Firmware 2.34 and have since a long time the Accelertor temp. disabled caused by the battery status is : "Recharging". We changed the battery and this new battery is since them still Recharging.
I will try to install Firmware 2.58A to solve this hopefully.
If it works then I will write a new replay of this forum. So long

Re: Smart Array 6400 Accelerator Battery Failures

Sven Rubach — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 02:56:59 GMT

Hello,

I have updated smart array controller Firmware to version 2.58 and it works.
So long !

Re: Smart Array 6400 Accelerator Battery Failures

Tom123 — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 08:45:58 GMT

Thanks for all the replies.
The HP advisory suggests that both batteries
should be replaced at the same time.The battery on the array accelerator and the battery on the controller.
I have kept the firmware to 2.34 as it was working fine and replaced both batteries as suggested.All is now ok.

Re: Smart Array 6400 Accelerator Battery Failures

Frogman — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 10:45:25 GMT

Hi All

Please note new firmware avlb for the 6402/6404/641/642

2.68 A 20 Jun 06

It is mandatory to update to this version as it would pro-activly save you many man hours and possible downtime.

Cheers
Froggy

Re: Smart Array 6400 Accelerator Battery Failures

Phil Helme — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 14:50:15 GMT

Having a major problem with ML370, and saw this thread regarding the battery status showing failled. The server will not start up, initially got the blue screen OD but now gets to a DHCP search and then says no system disk is present, but when using the diagnostic on smartstart shows no problems at all, except that there are no logical disks available!!!! Might be barking up the wrong tree here but how do I update the firmware for the offline smart array 641/642?

Re: Smart Array 6400 Accelerator Battery Failures

Sven Rubach — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 05:02:14 GMT

Hello,

you can download the latest offline firmwareupdate from HP websites. You will find a desciption how to use this frimwareupdate.
You have to copy the cpxxxxx.exe file to a blank floppy disk (really blank - no other files).
Boot from smartstart CD and choose maitenance.

Re: Smart Array 6400 Accelerator Battery Failures

superdave_1 — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 17:36:40 GMT

i get the same thing, replaced the battery but it still shows replaced battery, does this affect the performance of the controller card cause i have noticed lately that the speed seems to have slowed down, or is it just in case the power is lost

Re: Smart Array 6400 Accelerator Battery Failures

Tom123 — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 19:04:18 GMT

With the cache module being disabled the performance of the controller is reduced.The controller will now be writing to disk all the time,as apposed to writing to the cache module first.The data in the cache module is then written to disk when the controller is idle.

Re: Smart Array 6400 Accelerator Battery Failures

nicbot — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 01:49:40 GMT

I have had the same issue. I've upgraded the FW to 2.84 and replaced both batteries on my Smart Array 6402/128 Controller. The array accelerator status is still:

::::::
Temporarily disabled.
Batteries are not fully charged

Battery failure on battery pack 1, replace battery.
Battery failure on battery pack 2, replace battery.
::::::

The status light on the card is yellow blinking indicating (apparently) that the batteries are charging. My question is, how long does it take for them to charge assuming they actually do need to charge?

Thank you in advance for your replies.

-N

Re: Smart Array 6400 Accelerator Battery Failures

Mike Bryenton — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:19:39 GMT

Nicbot - did you ever get this fixed?
I have the same issue ...

Re: Smart Array 6400 Accelerator Battery Failures

nicbot — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:48:20 GMT

Not yet. We ordered a replacement card from CDW, but it's an HP spare part so it is taking a bit to get to us. Should be here tomorrow though, so I'll post my results after I install and test.

...But it seems the card is failing. Up to date firmware, 2 new batteries installed following the correct procedure on the HP site and the failure is still showing.

Luckily in our case even though performance is degraded, we managed to get the load to a manageable point for our users.

The card was discounted to us, but I think you can get them for under $200 fyi. Might be a good idea to order one up to have on hand anyways :)

-Nic

Re: Smart Array 6400 Accelerator Battery Failures

Mike Bryenton — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:22:07 GMT

We did order new one! Our old Smart Array was giving us the battery failure problem so we order a new one. Even with the upgraded firmware we are still getting the same error.

Re: Smart Array 6400 Accelerator Battery Failures

nicbot — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:34:09 GMT

Mike I have another thread going on this topic.

http://forums11.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/bizsupport/questionanswer.do?threadId=1408947

...we to just received, installed, flashed to current a 'new' controller and are still showing the status of:

::::::::::::
Array accelerator status:
Temporarily disabled
Batteries are not fully charged
Battery failure on battery pack 1, replace battery.
Battery failure on battery pack 2, replace battery.
::::::::::::

At this point I don't know what else to do... :/ Even tried a different slot for the card and nothing.

Re: Smart Array 6400 Accelerator Battery Failures

K Haroldsen — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:17:46 GMT

I have a ML 350 g4p with a smart array 6400 controller. We are having the same issue. I have upgraded the firmware to 2.84 and we are still getting this message:

Smart Array 6400 in Slot 3 has one or more array accelerator batteries/capacitors that are failed. Array accelerator operations such as Expansion, Extension, and Migration are temporarily suspended until the batteries/capacitors are replaced. Please consult the user guide to identify and replace the failed components.

We have replaced both batteries.

Re: Smart Array 6400 Accelerator Battery Failures

K Haroldsen — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:19:50 GMT

I also went through the latest PSP and updated everything possible on the server.

Re: Smart Array 6400 Accelerator Battery Failures

Mike Bryenton — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:12:39 GMT

My conclusion is it is definitely the batteries. I just got my 4th card - updated the firmware - and after an hour or so - batteries were charged and cache enabled.
On all cards batteries seem to be dated from 2006 or 2007 - anyone seen any newer batteries?

Re: Smart Array 6400 Accelerator Battery Failures

Mike Bryenton — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 16:21:43 GMT

Can anyone help me source new batteries? The new card that was working - the batteries died again. All seems to be dated from 2006 or 2007. Are there any newer batteries out there and if so from where?