Proliant DL380p not booting

[virira]

2 years ago i bought an HP Proliant dl380p G8 with 2x Xeon E5-2670 and 96GB of ram (4x8GB+4x16GB)
recently i havent been able to get it to boot consistently, ive messed with the ram, unplugged both disks, swapped the battery.
Sometimes it boots just fine, but most times, not at all, fans scream but i get no image and the Health LED blinks red. ILO says health is critical but not the reason why. I spent the whole day plugging and unplugging stuff but cant get it to boot consistently, sometimes it boots with a ram configuration, but 5 mins later wont boot without me touching it in that time. can anyone help?

[rabindra11sharm]

Dear  virira

can you please share IML log to check the issue.

Process

Log in to iLO web console => Go to Integrated Manegment Log => click on CSV => scroll down => click on Save => Open with text.

[shiva_jr]

Hi @virira, 
There may be the issue due to reseating the peripherals. Please do the following steps-

1. Do the Server power flush (Remove the power chord, hold the power button for 15-20 secs.)
2. Remove all the additional parts (RAM DIMMs, hard disks, PSUs etc), power on the service with minimal hardware configuration.
3. If the server boots successfully for 2-3 times, go on adding the parts one by one.
4. Run the dignostic test for RAM and HDD.
5. Even the server is not booting properly, check the POST erros and IML logs.

Regards,
Shiva_JR
Please mark as 'Accepted solution' and give 'Kudos' if my post worked.

[virira]

"ID","Severity","Class","Last Update","Initial Update","Count","Description",
"17","Critical","Drive Array","09/14/2024 17:17","09/14/2024 17:17","1","Drive Array Controller Failure (Slot 0)",
"16","Informational","Environment","09/14/2024 17:16","09/14/2024 17:16","1","System Fan Removed (Fan 1, Location System)",
"15","Informational","Environment","09/14/2024 17:16","09/14/2024 17:16","1","System Fan Removed (Fan 2, Location System)",
"14","Informational","Environment","09/14/2024 17:16","09/14/2024 17:16","1","System Fan Removed (Fan 3, Location System)",
"13","Informational","Environment","09/14/2024 17:16","09/14/2024 17:16","1","System Fan Removed (Fan 4, Location System)",
"12","Critical","OS","09/14/2024 17:16","09/14/2024 17:16","1","Automatic Operating System Shutdown Initiated Due to Fan Failure",
"11","Informational","Environment","09/14/2024 17:16","09/14/2024 17:16","1","System Fan Removed (Fan 5, Location System)",
"10","Caution","Environment","09/14/2024 17:16","09/14/2024 17:16","1","System Fans Not Redundant (Location System)",
"9","Informational","Environment","09/14/2024 17:16","09/14/2024 17:16","1","System Fan Removed (Fan 6, Location System)",
"8","Informational","POST Message","09/14/2024 17:05","09/14/2024 14:36","2","POST Information: Processor 2, DIMM 4 could not be authenticated as genuine HP SmartMemory. Enhanced and extended HP SmartMemory features will not be active.",
"7","Informational","POST Message","09/14/2024 17:05","09/14/2024 14:36","2","POST Information: Processor 1, DIMM 4 could not be authenticated as genuine HP SmartMemory. Enhanced and extended HP SmartMemory features will not be active.",
"6","Informational","POST Message","09/14/2024 17:05","09/14/2024 14:32","3","POST Information: Processor 2, DIMM 3 could not be authenticated as genuine HP SmartMemory. Enhanced and extended HP SmartMemory features will not be active.",
"5","Informational","POST Message","09/14/2024 17:05","09/14/2024 14:32","3","POST Information: Processor 1, DIMM 3 could not be authenticated as genuine HP SmartMemory. Enhanced and extended HP SmartMemory features will not be active.",
"4","Informational","POST Message","09/14/2024 18:14","09/14/2024 14:27","5","POST Information: Processor 2, DIMM 2 could not be authenticated as genuine HP SmartMemory. Enhanced and extended HP SmartMemory features will not be active.",
"3","Informational","POST Message","09/14/2024 18:14","09/14/2024 14:27","5","POST Information: Processor 1, DIMM 2 could not be authenticated as genuine HP SmartMemory. Enhanced and extended HP SmartMemory features will not be active.",
"2","Informational","POST Message","09/14/2024 18:14","02/10/2014 01:52","6","POST Information: Processor 2, DIMM 1 could not be authenticated as genuine HP SmartMemory. Enhanced and extended HP SmartMemory features will not be active.",
"1","Informational","POST Message","09/14/2024 18:14","02/10/2014 01:52","6","POST Information: Processor 1, DIMM 1 could not be authenticated as genuine HP SmartMemory. Enhanced and extended HP SmartMemory features will not be active.",

[virira]

it does not even post, also how do i do those diagnostic tests you mentioned?

[virira]

still doesnt boot, health critical with everything off

[virira]

also doesnt even write in the IML, the fan thing was when it went 100% for some reason when i got it to boot so i removed the fans because of the noise.

The smart array i guess was because i removed the SAS cables to trty to get it booting im guessing

[rabindra11sharm]

Dear virira

I can understand your problems. Please remove all componenets like Processor, DIMMs, PCI componenets PSU. RAID controller, If onboard RAID controller, Then remove the SAS cable from System Board. Only install primary Processor, install 1 DIMM in sequential alphabetic order: A slot. Only one PSU installed in slot 1 Power on and check. If not botting, remove Power cord, togle system maintanance switch S6 (Maintioned in top cover diagaram as X), power on and check. If not Power on or no POST need to replace system board.

Hope, I could provide you with clear and helpful instructions. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, don't hesitate to ask. I'm here to help! Have a great day!

[Kingboo2314]

What @rabindra11sharm mentions is good but there are some specific things you should try first. The IML log sent in a previous message primarily shows RAM, fan, and drive controller problems.

@virira, you mentioned that you had removed the fans because they were loud and running at 100%. The fans run at a high speed during boot and there is very little that you can do about that. Servers are loud computers. If you do not like the fan noise you can change your power and performance profile in iLO or the BIOS which can change the fan speed once you reach an OS. Changing the plans will not eliminate the noise but it will make it tolerable. I use my DL380p in my bedroom. 

In terms of RAM, the IML log states that HP SmartMemory could not be authenticated. This could be because of bad RAM or because you are not using ECC RAM. I would test each of your sticks one by one and look up the model numbers to see if they are ECC. If your RAM is not ECC, you will not have SmartMemory.

For the drive array problem: this could be because of a previous configuration on the drive controller. The IML log would likely state specific drives if they have failed. A red light on the drive sled would illuminate if a drive has failed too. You can access the configuration tool for your drive controller during boot by pressing the F5 key when the text for your drive controller appears around the bottom left of your screen. Navigate to your array controller and click configure. Any data on a drive will be removed by reconfiguring its array. You will be warned before you delete anything.

If you are new to using servers I would definitely read the manual for iLO and get it configured (and updated!). Check out the iLO and Setting Up iLO sections in the manual because those will be the most immediately useful for you. 

TL;DR: Reinstall all the fans even though they are loud, test your ram sticks individually, and check the configuration of your array(s). I hope this helps!

[rabindra11sharm]

Dear  @virira

There is a good adviced given by my friend  Kingboo2314. after performing the given activity. once remap all DIMMs to BIOS.

steps : 

1. Go to the System Utilities screen
2. Select System Configuration > BIOS/Platform Configuration (RBSU) > Memory Options > Memory Remap
3. Choose a setting
4. Save your setting 

[virira]

i dont think you understood what i said, ive had this server for about 2 years i know exactly how the fans work and have updated the ILO, one of the times it booted, the fans ramped up to literally 100%(i checked it on ILO)  and i had to remove them for the sake of my hearing, i put them back the next boot, that is not the problem. all the ram is ECC, my dl380p is also in my bedroom, fans after boot are usually 6%, that one time it ramped to 100% which never happened before, i have 8 sticks of ram tried every single one, booting still unreliably, drives are fine im sure, and i have removed them, they are not the problem, the server does not post. im not even using any arrays, just one 2tb ssd and 1 500GB HDD which have been removed in trying to make it post

[virira]

will do that when im home( saturday)

[Kingboo2314]

Thank you for clarifying on what you are looking for help on.
I made my previous post based on your IML log and your comments about the fans. Reinstall all of the fans, RAM, and configure your array. I have a pair of earmuffs that I sometimes use when my fans are loud. Noise cancelling earbuds work a bit too. Your fans going to 6% at the OS is identical to my server so that is not your issue.
Send another IML log the next time your server shuts down unexpectedly with everything installed. We can help you from there.

[MV3]

Hello,

If the health LED is blinking red and iLO is reporting a critical issue, it’s likely a hardware problem. Upon reviewing the shared IML events, it seems that the memory modules are not genuine HPE parts.

I strongly recommend opening a support ticket with HPE for an analysis of the AHS logs.

Best regards,

[virira]

thanks, the memory modules are not genuine HPE, i think 4 of them are genuine, the ones that came when the server was sold to me, unfortunately im a student, and cant really afford "genuine" parts

[rabindra11sharm]

Dear  virira 

At first please clear all event logs. Please update firmware codes by SPP and install AMS service. it might be reduce your FAN speed and noise.  then check there is abnormality or not. if you found any abnormality, please share IML log and proper observations.

https://support.hpe.com/docs/display/public/a00sppdocen_US/spp/#/index.aspx?version=Gen8.1