Smart array 3200 failure

[charles ganger]

I just upgraded my Proliant 3000 system with Smart Array 3200 RAID to the latest kernel version of Red Hat Linux 7.2. After reboot the 3200 tries to initialize for a very long time, and eventually fails. Has anyone seen this or have any ideas? Thanks, I'm in a crisis right now.

[Prashant (I am Back) · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Update the Bios of server and firmware of the Controller check agian, if possible. try to boot server without any hdd connected.

Regards,
Prashant S.

[Brian_Murdoch]

Hi Charles,

The Proliant 3000 doesn't appear on HP's Linux Redhat 7.2 support list.

http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/servers/linux/hpLinuxcert-archive.html


However you probably only need the Smart Array 3200 Linux driver kit which is available.

http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/files/server/us/download/17261.html

I don't know much about Linux but I hope this helps.

Other Proliant models are supported so here is a link in case you require any further drivers (This link is for Proliant 8000).

http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/files/server/us/locate/70_1103.html

Regards,

Brian

[charles ganger]

Thanks for your replies, I appreciate your help.

I'm getting a 1783 Array Controller Failure message, which seems to indicate the controller is DOA.

I had been running Red Hat 7.2 successfully. What I did was update the Red Hat kernel to the latest version via the Red Hat update service (still RH 7.2). After rebooting the 3200 is dead.

I updated the system BIOS OK. The 3200 firmware update is not working, I booted from the floppy and it says it's searching for hardware, however it just seems to lock up (waiting +30 minutes).

I don't know how doing the software update killed the controller card, but that is what appears to have happenned.

Is there any way of re-initializing the card with a jumper or something?

Thanks.

[Prashant (I am Back)]

Hi

Controller should be having led on it.
check for status of same.

Regards,
Prashant S.

[Brian_Murdoch]

Hi Charles,

A 1783 error is often fatal and requires a new controller however you could try the following. You will need a Smartstart CD to boot from and run the System Configuration Utility unless you have this on floppy.

Power down the server and remove the 3200 controller. Set switch 6 on the system configuration switchpack (On the system board) to ON and power up the server for a few seconds. This will clear the NVR.

If you don't know where this switchpack is, look inside the cover and there is a diagram showing where it is and what each switch does.

Power the server back down again, set switch 6 back to the off position, and insert the 3200 controller with attached cables. Power the server back up again and boot from Smartstart or floppy to configure the system. If you're lucky the 1783 erors won't appear. If you are unlucky it's time to get another 3200. There may be other things you can try so hopefully someone else may provide you with some ideas that might help before replacing it.

Regards,

Brian

[charles ganger]

Thanks guys.

The card is definitely dead. I swapped with another 3200 from another server and the system is back online. I've ordered a replacement card; thanks for all the helpful info.

Chuck

[Prashant (I am Back)]

Hi

Just checking since the card is dead also. Do you get any led status on card at that time also. just checking for refernce.

Regards,
Prashant S.

[charles ganger]

There are 4 lights on all the time on the bad card. The replacement card has more lights on, some which blink indicating HDD activity.