DL380 G5 cpu fan behaviour

[David Raine]

I have a problem with the CPU fans on a DL380 G5 (12-fan model). The fans started running very loud and looking in ILO-2 I see the IML lists many instances of fan 7 through fan 12 failures, with fan 10 showing as "failed".

I replaced fan 10 and rebooted the server. No change in noise levels - still very loud. On checking IML again, this time fan 11 lists as "failed".

On replacing fan 11 (hot-swap this time) the system quietened down for a few seconds and then started speeding up, showing 7-12 amber on the insight display, then slowing down again, with the ambers all going out. 2 seconds later it all starts again.

After a few rounds of this, one of the fans shows as "failed". It doesn't matter if I replace this "failed" fan, it always shows the same behaviour.

Is this a problem with the fan board? Is there a sensor that might need to be changed/cleaned/replaced?

The server is, sadly, out of warranty.

In the IML:

Repaired Environment 06/23/2010 07:37 06/23/2010 07:37 1 Fan Failure (Fan 12, Location CPU)
Critical Environment 06/23/2010 07:37 06/23/2010 07:37 1 Fan Failure (Fan 11, Location CPU)
Repaired Environment 06/23/2010 07:37 06/23/2010 07:37 1 Fan Failure (Fan 10, Location CPU)
Repaired Environment 06/23/2010 07:37 06/23/2010 07:37 1 Fan Failure (Fan 9, Location CPU)
Repaired OS 06/23/2010 07:37 06/23/2010 07:37 1 Automatic Operating System Shutdown Initiated Due to Fan Failure
Repaired Environment 06/23/2010 07:37 06/23/2010 07:37 1 Fan Failure (Fan 8, Location CPU)
Caution Environment 06/23/2010 07:37 06/23/2010 07:37 1 System Fans Not Redundant (Location CPU)
Repaired Environment 06/23/2010 07:37 06/23/2010 07:37 1 Fan Failure (Fan 7, Location CPU)

Thanks for any help.

[Erdogan Temur]

Hi David,

All system update firmware with firmware maintanence dvd and than clean IML log.

Smart Update Firmware DVD 9.00
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareDescription.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodTypeId=15351&prodSeriesId=1121516&prodNameId=3288134&swEnvOID=4022&swLang=8&mode=2&taskId=135&swItem=MTX-a69a789f6bfc4b0fbe2d84c7c6

That will also fix the problem :) Remember to assign points to answers that helped in your problem. So the forum stays alive...

[David Raine]

That was very useful, thanks. I have now successfully completed a full firmware upgrade but I am still getting the exact same behaviour.

When rebooting, I sometimes get fan failures and sometimes the server fails to start due to this. The fans all seem to be working just fine.

I have tried pulling the power lead for 30 seconds to no effect. The server is up now but is still running the fans at full speed as it thinks one of them has failed.

Any other clues/suggestions very much appreciated...

[Erdogan Temur]

Have you tried reseat all fans?
What is the firmware version iLO2?

[David Raine]

Yes, have reseated everything - even pulled the fan assembly and reseated all of the fan board connectors.

It seems like the fans spin down a bit too far, as if the speed has dropped too much.

Are there any other diagnostics I can use?

[David Raine]

ILO revision is 1.81