few questions about ProLiant DL360 G7

[primoz1]

Hi. first must say thx for help post.

I got only one processor installed, and I add RAM where be original when I got server in my hand's like on attached picture, I think is some issue on motherboard or some missing parts ?

I connect monitor and keyboard and never got even one blink on that monitor no VGA signal from server at all.

edit: here is movie how this situation look http://tinypic.com/r/m8zhbd/8


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/DL360_Inside.jpg

[waaronb]

The array battery missing wouldn't keep it from booting up. It would still boot and then give some kind of error or message when the array controller does it's check.

The DL360 G7 has 3 memory channels per processor and 3 modules per channel. That's 18 slots total if you have both CPU's installed.

Does your server have 2 CPU's installed, or just 1? Make sure you're only installing modules where there's actually a CPU installed.

Look at the quickspecs for the memory population guidelines... it tells you which memory modules to install where, and where to put the highest ranked modules. If you do that wrong, it will probably say all of the memory modules are having problems, so just follow the guidelines.

http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/productbulletin.html#spectype=north_america&type=html&docid=13598

[waaronb]

That definitely looks like a memory configuration issue.

You'll notice on the motherboard that next to each CPU there are 9 memory slots... 3 banks (or channels) of 3 modules.

The first memory module in each bank MUST be installed in the white DIMM slot, and from the video it looks like you have 2 modules in the white slots of banks, and they are in bank/channel 1 (and 2 in your second test) of CPU1, which looks correct.

The next question is, what are the specs of the memory modules you're using? Do they have HP part numbers or are they 3rd party? (the HP part number would make it easier to verify what they are, but non-HP memory can work fine too if they're the correct type). It looked like an HP sticker on the memory but I wasn't sure.

Are they RDIMMs or UDIMMs, what speed, and do you happen to have another system that you can test them in to make sure the modules are okay?

To make it easier to test, I'd just use one DIMM at a time in bank 1 in the white slot. If there's an error in the first channel, it might cause them all to have a problem.

You can also take a close look at the slots themselves, make sure there aren't any obvious problems like bent pins.

[primoz1]

Hi. This two RAM is I think original what come with that server and PN: 500202-061  and second two is same characteristic but from samsung.

Those two from HP wont work im my test machine, but samsung work, but on the end HP or Samsung not work on server.

I try all combinations till now, with all four rAM stick, with just one and so one, but allways same, because of that, I wonder maybe something about that missing battery bank.

Is frustrating thing, Im not rookie on computers, but must confess this is hard like walnut :)

[Jimmy Vance]

Keep in mind, once powered on a DL380 G7 can take up to 3 or 4 minutes before you get video signal and see POST

[primoz1]

Ouu I dont know that, I thought is like on other computers, where you get POST allmost instantly when push PWR btn.

OK. will check that option too, but Im worried about beeps, but will test right now again.

[Torsten.]

If you plug in the power cords, the ILO starts. This takes a moment. Then you are able to power on the server. After this the server does some checks, then the cursor blinks and after a while you will see the logo. This can take some minutes ...

[primoz1]

Yes when connect pwr plug, got red led on panel, that seems OK. than I hear some noise like FAN spin in PSU, and than after about one minut time, I can start server on start BTN.  and after minut or two, got that red lights for RAM slots, beep start then too.

In fact I make mistake about ram, second is not samsung , but Kingstone sorry guys :(

[waaronb]

The long beep sound from your video and all of the DIMM error lights showing up tells me it's a memory issue.

The missing array controller battery is something else, and you'll need to get a replacement for that, but that wouldn't keep the system from booting up. A missing battery will usually get you to the array controller POST where it will tell you there's a problem and all logical drives are disabled. That's if the battery is missing entirely. If it's a dead battery, it lets you continue but it disabled the write cache.

You should check the memory module and make sure you know if it's battery or flash backed cache since they use different modules... I think flash backed uses a supercap, not a battery.

It might even be a zero memory or 256MB cache that didn't include the BBWC feature, so it never had a battery.

Now, even when everything is working, like they said above, there is a delay between powering the system up and when you get any kind of display. If you made any changes it can take longer, but usually on a G7 model I'll get some kind of video after 30-45 seconds.

HP spare 500202-061 should work on the G7... it's a 2GB DDR3, registered.

Did you say the machine is okay if you just have one of those Kingston modules installed, but it fails when one of the HP modules is in there? Or did you mean that you tested the Kingston memory in another system, but when you put them in this server it still doesn't boot?

Like I said, if you have another system you can try the memory in, I'd do that to make sure all of the memory is okay. That will let you know that the memory is fine and you can look at other things, because right now, it seems like the server is telling you it thinks the memory is bad.

Just to try things, you can set the jumper to clear the configuration, just in case there's something that got set, or it used to have 2 CPU's and had some memory in those channels, but now with only 1 CPU it's still checking the other banks during boot up.

I don't think that would cause a boot failure, but since even the error lights for the missing CPU memory channels are lighting up, that's kind of strange.

To clear the NVRAM, turn switch 6 on, power up. You may or may not get any further along... Either way, give it some time then turn the machine off and set switch #6 back to off and then power up again.

[primoz1]

Hi. first of all thank you for really good explanation, I must try clear that NVRAM, but I cant figure out which pins are in the game ?

I really hope this will help me out

[primoz1]

Bloody Hell Im real dumb, I missed that 10 switch under PCI-express slot I look after jumpers OMG

Just set sw 6 to ON (all others is on OFF) and same thing, change RAM with that Kingstone which work perfect on other machine, make test with only one RAM or two is same.

It can this server run POST without HDD ?

Is really frustrated this problem, what ever I do allways same result, maybe is motherboard issue and is time to call HP support ?  But I dont know haw that goin, I never do that before, and Im not the original owner, I buy server from second hand.

Is any check what I can do in this moment ?

Thank you.

[waaronb]

The only other idea I had was to make sure the CPU is inserted properly.  If this system used to have 2 CPU's and they took one out before you got it, maybe they did something to the first CPU also and it's not properly seated in the socket.

I think you can remove the CPU without taking off the heatsink first (I don't have a DL360 G7 nearby or I'd check).  But if you have to remove the heatsink, make sure you have some extra thermal compound because when you re-attach the heatsink, you'll want to clean off any old gunk and put down a thin layer of new compound.

Besides memory errors, a CPU problem is probably the #2 reason why a system wouldn't boot at all and give a long beep error.

The system can run without hard drives installed, so don't worry about that.  It probably is a good idea to make sure you've removed everything from the system except the critical things like CPU and at least one memory module.  That's just in case some PCI card is shorting out the bus, or a bad hard drive is shorting some power or something... those aren't common, but removing everything non-essential will help you focus on everything else.

Also make sure all of the fans are inserted properly.  You can pull them out and re-insert them to make sure they all have a good connection.

If nothing else works, just look over the motherboard itself and see if anything looks weird... a capacitor bent over funny or some bent pins or anything else strange.  It helps if you've worked on these types of servers before because then you have a better idea of what a normal system looks like, but anyone who has worked with any kind of motherboards probably knows when something just doesn't look correct. :)

[primoz1]

Hi.  This server never has two processors, still has that original plastic cover under second CPU socket.
I remove cooler from present one CPU just to check if was there, and put new thermal paste, then I make inspection for some bended pins on CPU socket and they look all right.

I check if some bulged capacitors or some burned other component on that motherboard, and is not, all look new and shiny like new from store, I even check voltages on capacitors close to CPU, GPU and other inportant components, and all voltages is present, from 1.50 up to 2.50 if I remembrer correct, so that must be OK.

Than I check for some overheating issue, and nothing really find, all components who must got certaint heat, like CPU, bridges-chipsets etc. has normal temp, app 25-30 deg °C depend how long I left server to make me wanderful beep song LOL

Apparently, key komponents work OK. but has bad ram, and when I put GOOD ram module, than because is not reset and clear like must be (dont know how exactly)  got this whole problem.

I doubt is processor GONE, because I never see any Intel processor burned, Im not say is not possible but Im stil in doubt because that heat indicate some cooperation with system, but again you never know.

[primoz1]

Uff finally i come to this stage and success make connection to iLO console.

here is pictures what I got, I split to two post because limit is 5 picture.

Take a look to picture and maybe will got more clear idea what is wrong, and what may be my next step, hp support or new memory ?

Thank you.

[waaronb]

The integrated management log (IML) you show seems to confirm that it's a problem specific to the memory configuration.

I looked up the specs on that Kingston memory you posted a picture of and it's NOT a registered DIMM (kvr1333d3s8n9/2g). It's unbuffered. The specs say you can use a UDIMM but you can't mix and match with RDIMM. I personally avoid unbuffered memory in a server so I've never tried that.

The only advice I can give to help fix this yourself is to take another close look at the memory sockets, especially that white socket in the first channel (the one you would use if you only had one CPU installed).

I've seen a brand new Proliant (I think it was a brand new G4, fresh out of the box) that had some bent pins in one of the mem sockets, and fortunately it was minor enough I could nudge it back with a small tool. But it did something very similar, where all of the memory sockets showed errors.

And check any other sockets too... if there are some shorted pins or just some gunk in there, it could cause a problem like that.

Otherwise it might be time to look for a replacement motherboard... I'd still want to test that memory in another HP server (not just another desktop machine or something that can take unbuffered or registered memory), just to be 100% sure it wasn't the memory.

[primoz1]

I take just for test 4× 1 gb PC3-10600 DDR3-1333 1Rx8 ECC DIMM (HP PN# 500208-562)

But wasnt work at all, than I find that memory configurator web site from HP, and I realize is no option run that server with 1 gb sticks of RAM

And I check again with my old RAM and not work.

I must contact HP service for warranty, but I dont have any paper for that server (I buy from second hand, but 100% is not stolen or some similar illegal problem)

Now I must figure out how make that, Is any problem if dont have document of ownership for that device or is not, I mean if something be wrong on that term, HP will defentive know about that, is not  100 $ thing and no one will report stolen old PC, but in this case especialy when is still under warranty and cost way more than 100$

Any suggestion please.

Thank you

[primoz1]

Hi again, how I can be shure if that memory come with my server ?

thank you

[waaronb]

Here is the Quickspecs page for the DL360 G7.  It lists the memory guidelines in there, so you can see if the memory you have would be compatible or not.  It also lists the population guidelines like how many ranks per channel, where the highest rank module goes, and so forth.

http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/productbulletin.html#spectype=north_america&type=html&docid=13598

It might not list the exact memory part # you have, but HP sometimes replaces spart #'s with newer ones that are essentially the same thing.  It's more important to look at the specs of the module itself like the size, rank, whether it's registered or unbuffered, speed, voltage, etc.

[primoz1]

Thank you for all informations, I contact today local HP service, and bring there that bad RAM, I think tomorow will change that RAM with new, they told me that.

On the end of this story will report back if all OK. and I think that will contibute to all HP coumunity with real good reference from real rookie person.  :)

thx again

[primoz1]

OMG Im stuck on that problem.

OK. I got NEW RAM from HP under warranty service.

I set switch 6 to ON to clear bios and nvram, connect server to pwr and wait app 1 minut, than disconnect from power, put just that NEW ram on propper slot, and set switch 6 back to OFF, and put back PCI-express panel connect back to power and login to iLO

Server has same error like before, im out of ideas.

I think next step will be take server to HP service.

Is any option to reflash BIOS (that advice me on HP servis)

thank you

[waaronb]

If you can't even boot it, you won't be able to flash the BIOS.

That's too bad it wasn't the memory itself, but it does sound like there could be a problem with the motherboard itself since nothing else fixed it.

Good luck!

[primoz1]

Hi. I see now,  blind bios flash like on allmost all laptops-netbooks is not option here (just plug In flash drive and hold F2)

I send server to HP authorized service company, thay say's will be done in few days.

Thank you all for now, I defenitive will make replay what happen.

THX