netserver ls2

[rm_2]

I bought a very cheap 2nd or 12th hand netserver ls2
I would like to install red hat 7.X on it but Doing so does not really work ...I am not sure as to what do i need to configure and I dont have a navigator cd with it either ...I have reflashed the bios successfully to the last version I could find on hp.com but i cannt seem to find any Further assistance as to what i have to run download and/or configure ..LOL confused ?? I am ..
Now My questios:
Which software should i have(Taking into account no Navigator CD ) and Why does the hdd (5 Hotswaps) show up in manuall configuration (Fdisk - but i dare nto to do anything) in RED HaT 7.x Setup before error .( i tried 7.1 and 7.3 later one doesnt start without linux )startup disk) setup
I have attached the output error message ..
I understand this is a private request and most probably people are too busy but ...just in case..:O)
To anyone interesed ..I want to run my website on this machine
http://lazyone.demon.nl

[Mark Young_2]

Hi,

You aren't refering to the LC ii are you? Maybe just the Ls? I could find no information on the Ls2. I do know that the Ls and LC II were not compatible with Linux, so you won't be able to find any files for the server on the HP Website. I would imagine if there is a LS2 out there I don't know about, it is probably in the same boat.

Mark

[malvin drakley]

Hi, here is the link to the LS server. On the datasheet there is a mention of the LS2 and LS4 but there is no mention of Linux

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DocumentIndex.jsp?contentType=SupportManual&locale=en_US&docIndexId=179911&taskId=101&prodTypeId=15351&prodSeriesId=50458

hope you get some info from these documents

malvin

[rm_2]

Thanks but not really good news then
So i wont be able to run Linix on this server at all???
I fond that hard to believe ...
and thanks for the link but Iam looking at these now ...
So thats it ...cant use it ...
althoguth it only boots from Redhat 7.2 untill error and no other OS but i cannot install RH...:O(
Thanks again ...

[rm_2]

The datasheets I have as a hard copy and yes it does not mention Linux at all ...:O)
But i thoguht there might be a way around it ...
under windows this machine is useless to me ...
:O(
Thanks for your help ...
Full machine name by the way it indeed a LS2 server
HP NetServer 5/133 LS2

[Greg Carlson]

RM,

It sounds like you are configured off the embedded AIC controller if Fdisk shows all hdds individually. The actual controller is the AIC7870. If you do a search on google for that controller, you'll find that you will need to load support for old AIC controllers.

This link should help you: http://people.freebsd.org/~gibbs/linux/

If you need more assistance with modifying the drivers, the Linux gurus on ITRC can help you here:
http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/parseCurl.do?CURL=%2Fcm%2FFamilyHome%2F1%2C%2C118%2C00.html&admit=716493758+1074013818438+28353475

Hopefully that helps you though.

Ciao,
Greg

[rm_2]

Right ...Thanks for that ..I have now made myself a nice little floppy with the Scsi Driver BUT i dont seem to have solved the Problem ..
As i said i have 5 drives in and iam not sure if all work ...Lights are on but ...
Now i Still hang during install as it cant see any drives and asks retry /ignore and cnacle
obviously then i am stuck as theres no drive to install to ...
It loads the drivers for aic7xxx fine from my floppy but the error stays the smae

[rm_2]

UPDATE
I run the diagnostic tool once more today and its reports the following on Quick Test SCSI Drive self test (10sec per drive).
RESULT diag.txt

DISK INFORMATION:

Flexible Disk Drives . . . . . . . 1
SCSI Hard Disk Drives . . . . . . . 5

SCSI INFORMATION:

ASPI Drivers Loaded . . . . . . . . ASPI8DOS.SYS
Controller 0 . . . . . . . . . . . AIC-7870
Device ID 0 . . . . . . . . . Hard Disk Drive
HP 4.26GB B 80-89C7
Device ID 1 . . . . . . . . . Hard Disk Drive
HP 4.26GB B 80-89C7
Device ID 3 . . . . . . . . . Hard Disk Drive
HP 4.26GB B 80-89C7
Device ID 5 . . . . . . . . . CD-ROM Drive
TOSHIBA CD-ROM XM-6201TA
Controller 1 . . . . . . . . . . . AIC-7870
Device ID 5 . . . . . . . . . Hard Disk Drive
HP 4.26GB B 80-89C7
Device ID 6 . . . . . . . . . Hard Disk Drive
HP 4.26GB B 80-89C7

01/13/04 22:19:02 Quick SCSI Hard Drive Non-Destructive Self-Test started
8580-0240 4.26GB B 80-89C7
01/13/04 22:19:21 Adapter 0, Device 0 (HP 4.26GB B 80-89C7): (8580) Device 4.26GB not ready. If testing CD-ROM or tape make sure that a disk or tape is present.(HP Travan not supported)

Are all my drives Broken ????

[Greg Carlson]

RM,

Take your server to a base configuration with a single hdd, it would appear that the hdd which is in ID 0 is the one that would be suspect so try a different hdd in ID 0 and install to a single hdd.

Ciao,
Greg

[Greg Carlson]

RM,

By default, ID 0 should be the top middle slot. from left to right, top to bottom the default ID would go 1,0,3,4,5,6

Ciao,
Greg

[rm_2]

Yes good idea but I have thougth of that one to ..
I have tried one drive after another and all the same it just does not see the drive ..
there is apparently no drive ...
Where is the bios ..arrrggg
I can only enter ctrl + a for scsi no other bios menus ???
Plus How do i rebuild the raid ??
mmhhhhh gonna be a long project ..

[rm_2]

Yes and I also have played around with the bootup id (SCSI BIOS) changed to 5 to get to boot from cd and tried other id s as well no change

[rm_2]

New findings ...
as i delve deeper and deeper into the working off this machine that make a noise of a starting aircraft...
come and join..
:O)

Anyway ...
it does appear something is not right i run scsi utility and tried a scan disk ...
This times out unexpected error
so i try a format ...
well this is not working either error:
SCSI ID 5 host adapter statsus =No Host Adapter
same for all other scsi ids (drives )
All drives broken ???
mmhh how come they are listed everywhwer and how come the scsi adapter passed the quick test ..???
Questions Questions??
No answers ..

[Greg Carlson · Accepted solution]

RM,

Lets deal with one issue at a time, First of all, most likely you don't have 5 bad hdds. If they are all failing to respond then it could be the adapter, cable or the backplane(s). If you are having a problem with hdds in ID 0, try ID 1 to the left of ID 0 (the first slot, top row)

Second, this is a Very old system so the bios is actually an EISA config. You need to create the ECU diskette to boot to the bios. You can create it here:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DriverDownload.jsp?locale=en_US&pnameOID=15436&taskId=135&prodTypeId=15351&prodSeriesId=50458〈=en&cc=us&swEnvOID=54

Also make sure that you download the two patches for NOS bus hang patch and lost interuppt patch. There are readme's in the download to tell you what to do with them. Keep the system simple. ONE hard drive, all other hard drives should be pulled.

Also create the BIOS flash disk to flash the server bios, then boot to the ECU and confirm settings (reset them to default)

Ciao,
Greg

[rm_2]

Thanks will try this ..
Learned now what this Eisa Utily. does.
Thanks
I will try this tomorrow and posst my findings
Thanks again

[rm_2]

KK i have done as adviced I removed all five drives and started to insert 1 at a time in 2 different scsi id slots 1 and 0
None of the drives are recognized when i enter ctrl + A and do a check on the media
It always fails error message No Host adapter ??
But the adapter works fine according to the Diagnostic Disk and the test I run ??

[rm_2]

UPDATE
I have tried all drives now individually and NOWAY these are all broken They sound alright ..LOL
Yet the install of any redhat 7.X still wont start at the partitioning stage it say there are no drives ....althoguth i start with command linux dd to load the aic7xxx driver ...
Iam out of ideas and patience
I might go to the nearest hardware store and buy a nice Hammer ...maybee that will teach him
Also I have tried to rn the EISA config tool from floppy all wel and nice but i would not know if ther is anything that needs changing .
One last question:
Is it possible that I have to get a PCI SCSI controller as the onboard one is not doing the job??

any ideas please come forward..
Thanks

[Matt Shade]

I have a Netserver 5/133 LS that I've been running redhat on for 2 or 3 years. I also had the same problem when I first started working on it. It was due to the Mylex DAC960 PCI RAID Controller, and I eventually just pulled it and didnt use hardware raid at all.

There was a release of VA Linux that included the DAC drivers, but I chose to not go that route.

More info on linux drivers for that controller can be found here:
http://www.dandelion.com/Linux/DAC960.html


Matt

[rm_2]

No No I dont have any PCI Cards in there its only the default configuration on internal aic 7XXX and i have the driver 7.3 even has the driver included ..
I have finally managed to get the install to see the scsi channel a and 3 hdd yet the install wont go further ....
Well 1 step further i think ..LOL Now i get past the partitioning...but not installed

[Frederich Murador]

Hi.. I hadthe same problem and i could solve using below...

At the boot, when system prompts the name of the SCSI controller, type control+a... Enter on scsi diagnostics.. Format the drive and go until it finish....
Then try again to install linux...
I believe that U will go ahead...
Sorry my English...