HP Smart Array E200 Firmware 1.86 Windows 2003 x86/x64 and/or 2008R2 x86/x64 BIOS 2008.10.27

[System_Headache]

Hello Everyone,

I've started rebuilding an old HP ProLiant ML150 G3 with 8GB Memory and Dual-CPU 5130 Xeon.

Currently I have a Hot-Swap backplan SAS/SATA with 6x300GB SAS

Please note that everything on this system are HP Compatible Parts

The problem that I am having is with the HP Smart Array Controller E200... it has the additional 128MB with the battery but I am not using it for RAID5, only for RAID 10 (1+0).

No matter what I do with it, it either frezes at the configuration of the controller or it stays at the initilizing or it fails and reboot the system. This is driving me nuts and up the wall because I've updated the firmware already to 1.86 and still the same problem.

Forget the OS... I am just trying to understand why this bloody controller isn't properly detecting the SAS's or why it acts up. The worst one is that I have to sometimes shutdown and then I can access the controller configuration but the moment I try to move further in... frozen... nothing is responding and the BIOS on the OS was opdated to the latest one 2008.10.27.

The only thing I am thinking here is that I need to buy a new/used controller since it must be defective. I have no problem with the other SAS's 8 Port Controller card, it detects them all, works fine but only supports RAID 0 and RAID 1.

Question: Is there any other GOOD/COMPATIBLE/WORKING/100% controller cards that would work with the HP ProLiant ML150 G3 or am I doomed to use only the E200?

Thank you very much for good day!

[Erdogan Temur]

Hi,

Could the 128MB BBWC memory be defective?

Can yopu upload the ADU report.

BR.

[System_Headache]

Hello Erdogan Temur,

If that is the case I wouldn't even know how to validate or check that. In any case I've ordered a second hand used one since they are so cheap to buy. I'll update the firmware to 1.86 and test from there.

Unfortunately, if I remove the BBWC to test it, nothing else is showing and the controller stays there without initializing.

Discovered that one of my SAS drives was SMART faulty and removed it but no go with the controller.

I'll wait for the part and I'll cross my fingers that it works but man... it is starting to burn my wallet in cash trying to repair it.

Thanks again for your input and would you recommend any other controller cards that would work with mine?

Good day!

[System_Headache · Accepted solution]

RESOLVED

I purchased a second one but unfortunately the ground transport impacted the controller in someways. The moment I had it installed and turned on the computer... I freacked out!!! It made this buzing electrical sound and I turned it off ASAP. I was so afriad that it damaged my computer but no, everything was fine. YAY!

Got my 3rd controller card from my first vendor which it was really nice that they send me a replacement. Needless to say that now it works 100% and the current firmware on it is 1.82 amd I am not updating it at 1.86. All my 6xSAS300GB15K are working perfectly and detected without a bloody problem.

So... if ever you did the firmware update and you tried everything... change the bloody controller card!

Good day!