Compaq proliant 3000

[Rob Dijkhuizen]

My Proliant 3000 ( 19 inch rackmount model) doesn't seem to reboot with CTRl-ALT-DEL. The display goes through the reboot procedure --> >system init.
>eisa init
>PCI auto cfg--> here it stops. I only see a rotating hash.
Is this normal behaviour ? When i press the "on" switch off, and back to ON, it will boot in a normal way.
My system has bios type E39(2000) and 640 Mb RAM

[Brian_Murdoch]

Hi Rob,

The next IMD display after PCI Auto Config should be Video so your problem probably lies here. Some suggestions: -

If you have a KVM connected to the server, try a different cable set as the impedance of the video cable may be out just enough to cause intialisation problems. Alternatively connect a monitor directly and see if the problem goes away.

If you have a Remote Insight Board (RIB) or Remote Insight Lights-Out Edition (RILOE) installed try updating the firmware or remove it temporarily to see if this is the source of the problem.

As a power-off reset appears to clear the error it might just be a bad cable or even a monitor problem if you are not using a KVM.

I had a look at the E39 BIOS history and although there are no specific issues with soft-reboots it might be worth updating the BIOS if yours is older than the one at the link below (04/19/2000).

http://h18023.www1.hp.com/support/files/server/us/download/8571.html

I hope this helps,

Brian

[Rob Dijkhuizen]

Hello all, fast response, super !!

Whell, let's start answering your questions.
No, I don't use a KVM switch. A monitor is directly attached to the VGA board.
The firmware ROM is allready up to date. It is of date 04/19/2000. I don't exactly what you mean by Remote Inside Board. I don't have too much knowledge of proliant models to know what it is.
I could try a different monitor, I'll let you know how that goes !!

regards,
Rob Dijkhuizen

[JohnWRuffo]

Rob: You may have a weak bios/cmos battery or maybe a weak power supply.

[Rob Dijkhuizen]

Hi John !!

A weak power supply ? A hope that's not the problem. Something tells me a new power supply wont't be cheap !! I bought the entire server for only 100 dollars !!
A replacement battery for the cmos can be replaced easier (I think) . Isn't located on a separate small PC board, where there are in fact 3 Lithium battery's ?
Is it somewhat like this ??

http://partsurfer.hp.com/photos/340915-001.jpg

Regards,
Rob Dijkhuizen

[JohnWRuffo]

Rob:

No... that is for something completely different...

You need an external battery: http://h200002.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/UCR/SupportManual/TPM_179764-001_ch2/TPM_179764-001_ch2.pdf#page=40

http://h200002.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/UCR/SupportManual/TPM_179764-001_ch4/TPM_179764-001_ch4.pdf#page=7

You will need the 4.5VDC battery (Part Number 160274-001). You may be able to find this on-line. Unfortunately, I have seen this part sold for some rediculous prices, so look around.

[JohnWRuffo]

Sorry for the double post: http://partsurfer.hp.com/cgi-bin/spi/showphoto?partnumber=160274-001 is a picture of the battery you need...

[Jon Ward]

To check for degraded components, consider using the hp Management Agents. They are available from the Proliant Support Pack, which in turn can be downloaded from Smartstart or HP.com.

You may also consider removing any removable PCI devices that is not abolutely critical for OS to boot to see if the behavior changes.

[James Shaw_2]

I have this same problem on my Compaq Proliant 6500. I installed a Triple SCSI Controller (Adaptec AHA-3985) and it does the same thing. I then remove it and it goes back to normal.

What could the problem be?