1 Rookie
•
2 Posts
0
2380
January 29th, 2022 04:00
Issues starting a new Poweredge R250 server
Looking for a big of advice.
I have just bought a PowerEdge R250 rack server, it's designed to store several virtual machines.
I am attempting to set this up but it just wont even boot. I connect the power and I get a screen saying 'IDRAC is initializing. First power on may be delayed', this stays on for about a minute, then the power fan starts for about a second and stops.
I did remove the cover and it started fine, the fans were whirring, the Bios was displayed and I ran diagnostics which didn't show anything. Replacing the cover just stopped it again. I have checked the cover, it's locked in place and nothing is getting trapped.
Has anyone else had anything even remotely similar? It's only a few weeks since I took delivery and wonder if I need to return it.
I'm certainly not an expert in servers but surprised that I cant even turn the thing on.
Thanks in advance,
Steve.
DELL-Joey C
Moderator
•
3.9K Posts
0
March 21st, 2025 06:31
Hi,
If the fans aren't spinning, meaning the mainboard is not receiving enough power to be turned on.
There is a location for the CPLD LEDs, located towards the rear of the motherboard, between the power supplies and OCP slot, close to the video port. On the R250, R350 and T350, if the optional riser is installed and populated, it may obscure visibility of the LEDs.
You can try locate them and let me know which LED are Off and On. There may be some hints that we can identify what component can affect the issue.
Dell- Maria J
Moderator
•
278 Posts
0
January 31st, 2022 01:00
Hello Scoombs_5000,
I am sorry you faced with this issue.
Did you contact Technical Support in regards to this issue?
You can find here an information how to contact Dell Technical Support via email, phone or chat:
https://dell.to/3Ge6sf4
You can also try troubleshooting steps from this article:
https://dell.to/3rejQeT:
Did you perform hard reset (power drain)?
How to perform power drain:
-Remove both power cables and hold power button in for ten seconds to drain any residual power.
-Reconnect power cables and wait two minutes for the iDRAC to initialize before attempting to power on
-Check the LCD screen or LED quad pack for any error messages.
-Confirm that the server is receiving power by checking if the power LED on the power supply is lit green.
-If the power LED is lit amber, verify that incoming power is good and if it is replaced the power supply.
If after power drain issue is not resolved, you can also perform follow steps:
-Remove all external devices except the monitor (including mouse and keyboard).
After removing the devices, attempt to POST the server.
If the server now completes POST, plug the external devices back in one at a time until the defective device is found. Replace the defective device once it has been isolated.
If the server still does not complete POST, go to the next step.
-Remove all third-party components and parts.
After removing the parts, attempt to POST the server.
If the server now completes POST, plug the parts back in one at a time until the defective part is found. Replace the defective part once it has been isolated.
If the server still does not complete POST, go to the next step.
-Disconnect the hard drives from the server.
After removing the parts, attempt to POST the server.
If the server now completes POST, plug the parts back in one at a time until the defective part is found. Replace the defective part once it has been isolated.
If the server still does not complete POST, go to the next step.
-Disconnect the optical drive and any internal tape drive.
After removing the parts, attempt to POST the server.
If the server now completes POST, plug the parts back in one at a time until the defective part is found. Replace the defective part once it has been isolated.
If the server still does not complete POST, go to the next step.
-Remove PCI cards including integrated NDC/PERC if applicable.
After removing the parts, attempt to POST the server.
If the server now completes POST, plug the parts back in one at a time until the defective part is found. Replace the defective part once it has been isolated.
If the server still does not complete POST, go to the next step.
-Reseat the control panel connector.
Test with minimum to post Normally PSU, Motherboard, CPU1, 1 RAM Stick and Backplane. Full details for minimum to post can be found in your Owner's Manual > Minimum to Post:
https://dell.to/3reNcts p.18
-If the server now completes POST, plug the parts back in one at a time until the defective part is found. Replace the defective part once it has been isolated.
-If the server still does not complete POST the remaining parts have to be considered (example - Motherboard, Control Panel, PDU)
Please let me know if you have any questions,
Thanks
TR-Linde
1 Message
0
August 23rd, 2022 10:00
Same exact issue, and I've been dealing with servers for decades.
only thing I'm going to check first is that the memory is fully seated.
Scoombs_5000
1 Rookie
•
2 Posts
0
August 24th, 2022 03:00
For me it was actually the case being closed, despite it clicking into place and the lock being in place it needed to be pushed with significant force. Then it worked and has been working fine since.
There must be some kind of failsafe on the case which is really sensitive.
coolsingh
1 Rookie
•
2 Posts
0
March 21st, 2025 02:28
Same issues with a new Poweredge R250 rack server - Power button works, lights up blue, no post, no boot, no video, no fans running. First started with F2 key - no response, green light up at the rear. Restart with F12 key no response, no video, no post, no fans seems to work.
Opened the cover, removed the ram, re-inserted, closed the cover, restart, same no change. Drained as mentioned in the steps above using the F2 and F12 keys - no result.
coolsingh
1 Rookie
•
2 Posts
0
March 21st, 2025 22:49
Everything is ok. Probably either the HD drive connections or the memory stick, and or the chassis cover got shifted during transportation. Reconnecting, and bingo! All's well and good. Thanks.