10.20 "unknown model string"

[Adam Noble]

Ok I've got to try and re-build a 10.20 server using ignite. The server currently has an exceptionally minimal build just so I can get it on the network. The server re-boots fine with its own kernel, however when booting using the ignite temp kernel it panics. There are numerous errors suggesting it can't determine its model type PDC errors etc. Anyway sure enough if I type model on the machine it just says 800/9000 and there is no reference to it being a K class. I am assuming I might need to load additional software or patches to get past this problem on the base build. Any ideas?????

[Jeff Schussele · Accepted solution]

Hi Adam,

Has the mainboard been replaced in this server in the past?
If so I'd suspect that the CE forgot to write the model string to nonvolatile memory after replacement.
If this is the case you'll need to have them come out again & do so as it's an HP only utility.

Rgds,
Jeff

[RAC_1]

Was the main motherboard chnaged on this server?? If yes, you will need to talk to CE and ask him to put the model name.

Anil

[Adam Noble]

Thanks for the info I've also noticed that the file pdcinfo under /etc/rc.config.d is 0 bytes! It was flagged to me when trying to install diags!

[Jeff Schussele]

Hi Adam,

That's not as big a deal as no model string.
Just create a new one - here's what it contains by default:

# pdcinfo configuration.
#
# PDCINFO: Set to 1 to save PDC log(s) during boot.
# Set to 0 to disable saving PDC log(s) during boot.
#
# WARNING: Disabling pdcinfo system will disable automatic saving of hardware
# logs that may be essential to determining the cause of a system
# crash.
#
# Without the above, information that could help prevent a
# system or peripheral failure will be lost. In addition, if
# a failure occurs, HP may not have the tools or data to
# diagnose the cause of the problem in a timely manner. This
# may cause increased downtime and possible future failures.
#
#
PDCINFO=1
PDCINFO_OPTS=

Owner is bin:bin & perms are 555

HTHY,
Jeff

[Adam Noble]

Sorry jeff my response may have been confusing, the model string is still showing as 8000/900. I did create a pdcinfo file and attempted to install again and it said there was an internal error and looked at pdcinfo and it was 0 bytes again. All very strange.

[Jeff Schussele]

OK - well I suspect the lack of a model string is the cause for the nulling of pdcinfo. You need to address it first & then it'll probably leave the pdcinfo file alone.
Probably is refusing to write the HW logs because it has no clue just what it is.

Rgds,
Jeff

[Adam Noble]

cheers jeff I'll raise a call