Jumper Setting Bricked My Server

Hi,

I just wanted to make sure, after the jumper steps, has the jumper on no. 5 and 6 being removed?

Usually if the LCD is still dark, the system is not receiving any power from the power supply unit. And when the power supply unit turned yellow, there is some issue with the internal unit components, have you checked by reseating the power distribution unit? The power supply is having yellow lid LED, is it blinking or steady lid? When you tried minimum to post components, have you tried swapping 4 of any power supplies to test the issue?

@DELL-Joey C​ 

Thank you, so much, for responding!

Yes.  After the jumping procedure, there is no jumper on any of the pins; including pins 5 and 6.

I've tried all four different power supplies, individually, when trying the minimum-to-post configuration.  They all behave the same way.  The light is green, for a precise fifteen seconds, before turning yellow.  When it turns yellow, it's a solid yellow.  It's not blinking.

As for re-seating the power supplies, I suppose I could say that I did this, while trying each different one, in minimum-to-post configuration.

Hopefully, this will provide you with more information, in terms of figuring what the problem may be.  Please don't hesitate to let me know if you need anything else.

Thanks, again, for responding.

Hi,

Try reseating the DPU: https://dell.to/4kjeM29 but you have to be careful, this is a slot card which easy to break. 

Have you tried only 1 memory riser?

@DELL-Joey C​ 

Hello, again.

Thanks for the suggestions.

I've re-seated the power distribution board, and have tried powering the server with only one memory riser installed (riser A).  The result is exactly the same.

Evansste,

If the se4rver won't post under the minimum to post configuration then it is one of the devices in the minimum to post causing the issue. If possible, and if you have one available, do you have another R910 that we can try using its known good riser from in this system? I ask as I suspec the issue is either with the riser, or the motherboard itself, and I was trying to isolate which is causing the issue. 

@DELL-Chris H ​ 

Hello, Chris.

I, completely, agree with your assessment.  I think the problem is the motherboard, itself.

As I've stated, in my original post, the only problem, with this system, is that I was getting a "memory riser" error message.  At that time, the panel display was working, the power supplies were acting normal, and the message was persistent, regardless of how I switched around the memory risers.

So, I think that all of the memory risers are fine, as well as all other system components, other than the motherboard.  It was only after the jumper setting procedure that the behavior, of the motherboard, took a drastic turn.

Unfortunately, I don't have another R910.  Because of this mishap, I've been considering getting another one, on Ebay.  I think it'd be a good investment, since I believe that all other system components are, likely, fine.

Because the jumper setting procedure is designed to clear non-volatile memory on the motherboard, could this be an issue of firmware?

After performing the jumper procedure, the machine sat, for days, plugged in, with all PSU lights being solid green.  During that time, the panel display was blank.  However, the motherboard did have some blinking red lights, while others, on the motherboard, were green.  I let the machine set like that, for days, until, one day, all PSU lights had turned yellow, and there's only one light lit up on the motherboard; which is green.  For this reason, I believe that the motherboard has gone into some sort of state --possibly after completing some process, that took place, during those number of days.

Anyway, all of this is just my suspicion.

Hi, 

For J_DBGCPLD1, the server will go into failsafe lockup when memory riser faults are detected during powerup. This will be persistent even if AC power is removed and reapplied. A procedure exists to clear the lockout and allow the system to be powered up again.

If you have another R910 after consideration, please do let us know if the issue resolve after the mainboard replacement.

@DELL-Joey C​ 

Thanks, Joey.

I'd be very interested in learning more about the procedure that clears the "J_DBGCPLD1" lockout.  Where would I find that?

Hi,

That's the procedure that you shared. The jumper clear steps on your opening post. 

@DELL-Joey C​ 

Thanks for clarifying.

Should I get another R910, or perhaps just another R910 motherboard, I'll be able to verify that that's where the problem lies.  It's at that time, that I'll share that revelation with you.

Thank you for your time, your attention, and for your suggestions.

Hi,

Well, it depends on your budget and direction. To me, R910 relative is an old server model where it's going to be difficult to source for parts, but if you have another server to use as a component donor, you can have more parts to play with in the future. But I'm unsure of the cost though. 

Well, I finally bought a motherboard, and replaced the old one.  The machine still won't boot up, but it's behaving differently.

Now, all power supply LEDs remain green.  However, that's about it.  I see no messages on the LCD panel.  It's still completely dark, and, when I push the power button, nothing happens.

I should note that, the first time I pushed the power button, the fans made a brief noise, for less than a second --almost as if some capacitors were being discharged, or something.  Since then, nothing happens.

@DELL-Chris H ​ What about the fans?  Should they still be plugged into the main board?