ML350 Server Won't boot to OS

[Ric_r2cs]

Hi and thanks to everyone that can help me with this issue.

The system is an ML350 with Smart Array E200i. I have run the ACU and got error codes:

720 - Smart Array E200i in Embedded Slot has an unsupported configuration

772 - Smart Array E200i in Embedded Slot has one or more cache module/batteries/capacitors that are recharging

347 - The cache for Smart Array E200i in Embedded Slot is not configured.

There are 4 146GB SAS HDD's on RAID 5.

The O/S is SBS 2003 but the system fails to boot.

Would a flat/faulty battery pack cause the system to not boot?

[Ric_r2cs]

It also seems as the array has disappeared. The HP ACU shows 3 unassigned drives. I don't want to create an array in case it destroys data.

Can the array be recreated with the drives that are installed without data loss?

[Skotte]

Hi,

A flat battery on a RAID controller does not stop the array from functioning.

If the battery fails the server keeps running but a lot slower since the card disables its write cache.

The cache for smart array xxx in embedded slot is not configured is warning that the battery for the array controller cache has not been installed into the server.

I would unplug and reconnect the battery.

If that's not the issue, we can continue from there.

HTH

Cheers

Leon

[Ric_r2cs]

I have removed and replaced the battery.

No change, the system reports non system drive and doesn't boot.

[PGTRI]

hi,

You can try to run the ACU and to reenable the logical drive.

thanks

regards,

[Ric_r2cs]

OK I will try that today. Does this put any data at risk?

Will the logical drives reenable without an Array?

[Ric_r2cs]

OK so I have booted to the ACU and selected add logical drives. The screen that appears is attached.

I have the option to create a logical drive on a new array using 3 of the 4 drives in the system. My concern is still that this will cause the drives to be wiped and I'll have to reload the OS.

I have plugged the drives into another PC using a SAS to SATA converter but they don't even pick up!

Can anybody suggest the next move?

[Torsten.]

There is a problem with the controller itself.

Any messages during boot?

Click on "view status alerts"!

Obviously the controller cannot work with RAID5 if the cache modul is faulty.

[Ric_r2cs]

Error code 772: Smart Array E200i in Embedded Slot has an unsupported configuration. You may reconfigure the controller but the existing configuration and data will be overwritten and potentially lost.

See attached

[Torsten.]

Can you see if the systems says that the cache module is installed (in ACU or during boot)?

I have seen something similar with a failed cache module - without cache a RAID 5 is unsupported, hence the message.

[Ric_r2cs]

I can't see anything in ACU or during boot referring to cache module

[Ric_r2cs]

Sorry, I have just found this in ACU:

Cache module present: yes

Cache status: not configured

[Torsten.]

An example found with google:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4tDjhsG1w3c/TVnEFKu9aEI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/iziAhgLeEZg/s1600/1783+array+failure.JPG

I would expect something similar with your controller - the 1024MB behind the P410i is the cache.

[Ric_r2cs]

This is what I get at that point.

I understand that the drives need to be rearranged after running the ADU but that is a windows program and shouldn't prevent booting.

I this going to be a replacement controller?

[Torsten.]

You said you inserted the disks in another system. Was there a RAID controller too?
Maybe you have overwritten the RAID information ...

[Ric_r2cs]

No it was just SAS converter stright to SATA

[Torsten.]

First of all I would do a firmware update:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareDescription.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodTypeId=329290&prodSeriesId=1157688&swItem=MTX-82d5b3d20c5f4c148e418fa2c4&prodNameId=3182559&swEnvOID=4064&swLang=8&taskId=135&mode=5

...
Fixed an issue where logical drives were not being detected during POST or reboot
...

and a lot of other fixes.

[Ric_r2cs]

I have to download the firmware and the HP Smart Update Manager first and will post the results

thank you for your help so far

[Torsten.]

SPP:

https://h20392.www2.hp.com/portal/swdepot/displayProductInfo.do?productNumber=spp_2013.02.0

Use the included tool to copy to a USB key and boot from.

[Jimmy Vance]

Many times running ADU will smack the controller in the head (like slapping the side of an old TV ) and put everything back in working condition. It doesn't appear it has helped in your case.  The image shown here appears that when you moved the drives back from the test system, you didn't put them back in the slots they were removed from.  The RAID information isn't stored in the controller it is written in what as known as the "RIS" area on each disk.  You can provide the ADU report  able to provide the ADU report to HP support, or you might post it and maybe someone here who can analyze the output.

[Ric_r2cs]

ADU Report attached.

[Ric_r2cs]

Ok, I have created the USB drive and downloaded the firmware from HP.

When I try to boot from the USB I get the image attached.

I have also written the ISO to a DVD and can get into the HP Software Update Manager but the firmware needed isn't on the disk

[Torsten.]

I think the information was anywhere in this thread, but I miss it now.

What generation is your server?

Do you see something like "G5" on the chassis front?

Did you use the utility for creating the USB thumb drive?

[Ric_r2cs]

The server is ML350 G5

I have now created a DVD with the firmware on as well and successfully booted to it

It has detected version 1.86(b) and appears to of installed it but still not change

[Torsten.]

IMHO your last chance is to re-arrange the disks, so power off, rearrange, power on. The goal is to find the original positions.
Not sure if this will work, since we don't know what happens to the disks in the other server.