HP ML150 G3 will not retain BIOS settings for more than 10 minutes

[Melvin L. Evans]

During a major storm, one of my remote offices was without power for more than 6 hours after the UPS unit ran down. When the power came back up, the ML150 server had lost all BIOS configuration.

After thorough diagnostics with HP, it was decided to replace the motherboard. New board was installed and problem still exists. New battery was added, same result. What we've determined is that the BIOS is not retaining any of it's settings for more than 10 minutes when power is lost.

Any ideas on what is happening? Is there some little know secret to correct this problem. Losing power is a way of life here and we can't add any more UPS units.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[KarloChacon]

hi

mmm so it's lost when power is lost more that 10 min or if you reboot the server the BIOS settings is lost???


so you so lost time, controller order? what is lost?


regards

[Melvin L. Evans]

Not on reboots, only when power is lost for more than 10 minutes.

[Melvin L. Evans]

Getting a CMOS check error when power restored.
Date & time is lost.
RAID config is lost.
Asset tag setting remained.

[Brian_Murdoch]

Hi,

There is another issue with the ML150 G3 which is quite similar in nature so please try the following to see if this helps.

F10 -> Phoenix Bios Setup -> Advanced -> IPMI ->:
BIOS POST Watchdog: change to Disabled
OS boot Watchdog: change to Disabled.

Then set up the BIOS and see if it stays OK.

Regards,

Brian

[Melvin L. Evans]

Thanks for the suggestion,
That was suggested earlier by HP tech support and we just finished trying it, but got the same results. Their next option is to send out another motherboard. They just sent one yesterday.

[Brian_Murdoch]

Hi,

I assume that there is nothing pressing against the CMOS reset button at the edge of the system board.

(Item 21 in the attached image)

Regards,

Brian

[Melvin L. Evans]

we have confirmed that it is working properly on both the original and the replacement motherboard.

I appreciate all the suggestions. HP is going to send a technician out. They can't figure it out. I was hoping to avoid that, but this one has everyone baffled.

[KarloChacon]

what if you request also a power supply ...

could be the issue too

[Melvin L. Evans]

Problem is resolved.

An HP technician brought out a new motherboard, and it is working just fine. It appears the initial replacement motherboard sent us was not a new one, and had a problem of its own.

Sadly enough, this is the 3rd time in the past year that HP has sent me bad hardware via a service call.

Thanks for all the help.
Closing this thread.
ME

[Melvin L. Evans]

Bad replacement part from HP service was the problem. A 2nd replacement was provided, problem is corrected.