HP Proliant ML 115 G5 booting issue

[Raul David Orozco Solaq]

Hi everyone.

I need some help with my proliant server.
When I turn it on it freezes in the white hp screen. I tried unplugging every hardware like video card, sound, etc., pressing the clear CMOS button in the motherboard, using the jumper that says BIOS Recovery, and I tried to use a usb rompaq plugged in the internal usb port found in the motherboard. Now I've run out of ideas, any help will be appreciated.

Something strange is that now the server turns on without pressing the on button, it just needs to be plugged to electricity in that's it. I updated the bios months ago to use a video card and 4gb of ram, an issue reported in this forum. Thanks in advance for any help, and excuse me if my english is not so good.

[Ali]

Hi Raul,

Looks like issue with BIOS or Motherboard.

power off the server, disconnect all the cables, hard drives and bring the server to base configuration first.(min hardware)

You mentioned Bios recovery.. how did you do that? it will work only when you upgrade the system bios (Offline) while BIOS recovery Jumper is ON

check the power switch connection.

still does not work log a case with HP to get the system board along with the power switch replaced as a first point of suspection.

hope this helps,
Aftab

[Raul David Orozco Solaq]

Hi Aftab, thanks for your help.

To make the bios recovery I downloaded the latest bios I found in the hp web:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareDescription.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodTypeId=15351&prodSeriesId=3683705&prodNameId=3683706&swEnvOID=4004&swLang=8&mode=2&taskId=135&swItem=MTX-aee0eed7bcc64c4fb3db3d692c

I followed the procedure to create a usb media key. After that I plugged in the internal usb port found in the board but nothing happened, I don't know if I have to do something with jumpers or anything like that to make it work. Thanks again for your help.

[Ali]

HI Raul,

Any specific reason for connecting USB drive to internal port..? You may use the front USB ports or Rear ports to install the BIOS.

ML115 G5 USB 2.0 Ports
8 total (4 rear, 2 front panel, 2 internal (one for USB Tape connectivity))

Bios link shared is correct. however, make sure your USB drive is bootable with Bios firmware image. Hope you have used HP USB creator to do that.

Make sure the recovery jumper is ON. and no other devices are connected to the server. you may unplug the hard drives and any additional card that you have in server including your video card.

Now connect bootable USB to front USB ports and reboot the server.

If still does not work as suggested log a case with Hp to get the system board replaced or lets HP technician do the JOB for you.

Hope this helps,
Aftab.

[Raul David Orozco Solaq]

Finally I was able to use to rom paq and restore the bios. Everything was going fine, except for the noisy fan, error I read about a long time ago, I was hoping to fix it with another bios patch but suddenly my server doesn't boot at all. Now it doesn't show hp screen, it doesn't show nothing when I turn it on, the screen just stays black, and don't even try to read the usb memory, so is basically dead. Now I'm really really worried. What can I do???.

[Ali]

Hi Raul,

I guess you need to get the system board replaced.

You may try few steps to further isolate it...

Check with the base/minimum configuration (take off all the pci controller, extra memory, hdd and everything else)
Make sure Bios recovery jumper is OFF after the bios update.
log in to ILO and check.

If no luck.. log a case with HP to take it forward from here get the system board/necessary parts replaced.

thanks,
Aftab