ProLiant G5 DL380 Unable to reach prompt to enter RBSU

[FireAmpersand]

Just a note before i explain whats wrong. This is my first time working with a industry level server. I have built and managed servers out of old pc parts so i know the "basics" if you will. 

So about a week a ago, my college did an upgrade to the servers. Removing 3-4 ProLiant G5 DL380 servers for something fancier and new. They offered them up to my class ( I am in a networking and computer hardware major) to those that want them. I eneded up taking one home to use as a sandbox and learn what industry level servers are like. Everything but the hard drives, ram and a CMOS battery were included. 

I did my research for the ram, the offical document said it needs PC2-5300 ECC Ram. Got 32GB (4GB x 8). I also got 2 HP 2.5" drives and a 2032 battery. 

Today i went to put it all together and couldn't even reach the point to enter RBSU. I am getting two short beeps on post, the display is active but is a black screen ( i know its outputing as the monitor no longer says no input). I have tried removing everything but one stick of ram, a processor, and one psu, but still the exact beep code. 

If anyone has some tips for me i would greatly appreciate the help. 

Thanks in advance!

[sulleymonster]

When I have come accross this situation it's always been a bad battery/memory or a seating issue with memory or the processor.

Try reseating the processor and going through the memory sticks by testing them one by one.

Have you tried using the ILO interface to view the system boot? If not you can sign up for a tree trial and troubleshoot that way.

[FireAmpersand]

So i reseated both my cpus. No change. Tested one stick at a time but i got a long then short beep then all the dimms lighting up on the front. When testing with just one cpu and on ram stick i got the same results as before, 2 short beeps then a blank screen. As for the ilo, i can see its ip address on the network, but everytime I try to connect it, it replies with connection refused. Maybe im doing something wrong?

[AshutoshM]

Recommendations:

1. Power down the server and reseat all removable components and ensure everything is securely seated.
2. Refer the user guide and use the system maintenance switch to clear the NVRAM.
Set the system maintenance switch 6 to on position.
Power on the server and wait for indication on screen that switch is in on position.
Power down the server and set the system maintenance switch 6 to off position.
3. Power on the server again and check status.
If step 2 was not successful or if you continue to receive errors/ beeps then refer the troubleshooting guide.
4. Do also check for bent pins, damaged cables etc on attached peripherals.

Documents for reference:
1. HP ProLiant DL380 Generation 5 Server User Guide
https://support.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?sp4ts.oid=1121413&docLocale=en_US&docId=emr_na-c00710263

2. HP Proliant Servers Troubleshooting Guide
https://support.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?sp4ts.oid=1121413&docLocale=en_US&docId=emr_na-c00300504

[PDP-Fan]

Are you sure you got the right RAMs? You wrote ECC RAM.... You need PC2-5300F (fully buffered) in pairs. You first install Dimm 1A and Dimm 3A (first pair A then B,C,D). The names are written on the mainboard.

[FireAmpersand · Accepted solution]

Thanks for the relpies everyone. In frustration i went back and saw there was another one they were tossing out. Exact same parts. It  did have the same beeps codes but i was able to install a OS. Maybe the other one just had a bad video output? But regardless I am up and running.