Old server help please HP ML330 G6

[Rob-Mozza]

Apologies if I've posted this in the wrong place.. I couldn't find a heading for servers? Please be so kind as to move this to the correct heading, thank-you in advance.

So I've just got this old server. The PSU was fried so rather than pay £80 for a 'reconditioned' original 480W, I paid £20 for a 500W ATX PSU. Admittedly I had to Dremel out a little slot to allow it to fit correctly (see photo) - 

The server POSTs, then boots (currently into a Linux MemTest to determine system stability) but unfortunately it seems to suffer a system health event at random intervals (30 minutes, 7 minutes, 22 minutes, 49 minutes, 36 minutes etc.) and then does one of the following :

(1) Ramps up fans, external LED flashes Red and the internal VRM LED8 has a Red light. The 8 LED's titled 'SEBC' seem to give a random and varying degree of flashes. Followed by an automatic reboot.

(2)  Ramps up fans, external LED flashes Red and the 8 LED's titled 'SEBC' seem to give a random and varying degree of flashes. Hangs awaiting on a hard shutdown (power off, holding the power button down for 10 seconds, waiting and then powering back on)

I can find nothing mentioning the VRM LED8 nor the bank of eight SEBC LED's mentioned in the manual or the service guide.

I've reduced the server to minimal parts, one stick of RAM, no add in cards.

I have followed the fault diagnosis flow charts (both the Server power-on problems flowchart and the Server fault indications flowchart) several times but seem to always end up at "Use maintenance tools to identify the problem"

I've ordered a new motherboard, but that isn't due to be delivered until 5th-11th of December.

Have I overlooked anything please or am I on the right track?

[TVVJ]

Hello,

One point about the fans spinning fast could be that the system may have detected increased thermal activity and to compensate, the fan speed is ramped up.

Regards,

[Rob-Mozza]

Thank-you for your reply TVVJ,

I've pasted and repasted (several times) the HSF as I've swapped in and out two six core processors and the original quad core processor, attempting to isolate the cause. 

Inlet temperature is always around 17-18 degrees centigrade so I wouldn't think that it was a thermal issue. Additionally the thermal LED isn't illuminating on the motherboard either which kinda supports my assumption. Admittedly, I've not as yet actually installed an OS (due to the noise) so it's still a minor possiblity.

[TVVJ]

Hello,

You may contact HPE Support for further assistance.

Regards,

[Rob-Mozza]

Thanks but won't that be expensive? I'm only a homelab, tinkering in my loft

[Tam92]

This could be a motherboard fault as well.. Lets hope it resolves after the motherboard replacement.

[Rob-Mozza]

Hopefully, I'll keep you all updated