PowerEdge R210II stuck on Collecting System Inventory

Wndf,

When you updated the iDrac, did you also update the BIOS as well?

Also, if you boot to the BIOS, and under Memory Settings you set Memory Testing to Disabled, does it boot without issues?

If not then you may look at taking the server to its minimum to post configuration, which is removing everything from the server internally and externally but the following; 

Motherboard

1 Power supply

CPU1

Dimm in A1

If the issue stops then individually add the removed devices back until the issue reappears and identifies the cause of the issue. 

Let me know if this helps.

@DELL-Chris H ​ 

> When you updated the iDrac, did you also update the BIOS as well?

No, I didn't. It's running 2.1.2 BIOS, while the latest available is 2.10.0. Now I can't update it as even with First Boot Device override in iDRAC I can't boot another OS, not even a DOS USB (but I am able to go into BIOS settings)

> Also, if you boot to the BIOS, and under Memory Settings you set Memory Testing to Disabled, does it boot without issues?

No, same issue. Although it seems changes are not having effect, switching from UEFI to BIOS boot still shows the Dell logo used in UEFI mode

> If not then you may look at taking the server to its minimum to post configuration, which is removing everything from the server internally and externally but the following

I'll try later, still don't understand why it happened after an upgrade. As I'll be disassembling it, should I also use NVRAM reset jumpers?

Thanks a lot

Hi,

I would recommend updating the BIOS to see if that resolves it. The minimum configuration can help isolate the issue please try that also. Then lastlsy I would try to NVRAM reset jumpers. 

@DELL-Erman O @DELL-Chris H  

Updating the BIOS: seems impossible. I can only boot to BIOS options, anything else gets stuck onto Collecting Inventory, including a FreeDOS USB to update the BIOS. Is there a different method?

Minimum configuration: strange enough, it refuses to boot without the riser card. In any case, it still gets stuck, even with a different ram bank.

Jumpers: reset, had no effect sadly

Hello,

I want to confirm if you Cleared NVRAM with this process?

- there is a map under the lid to show the jumper location. Shut down, Set jumper to the Clear position, power on and Post up to the jumper error, shut down and return jumper to original location.

Charles R, thanks - yes I had cleared NVRAM, at boot it showed "Caution! NVRAM_CLR is installed on system board. Please run SETUP".

It was not enough, I managed to use CTRL+E to enter Idrac settings and disable inventory in System Services. Again, nothing.

Somehow this seems to have been fixed by upgrading the lifecycle controller using the repair package on iDrac web ui...

How did I find this? I tried to access the Lifecycle Controller, as per "Dell R610 Collecting System Inventory", but the boot still stuck, this time at "Entering in system services", so as per "R710 not entering in system services , reboot when i press f 10." I repaired the lifecycle controller. Somehow this made it work, although it now shows "Plug & Play configuration Error: Option ROM Shadow RAM Allocation. Strike the F1 key to continue, F2 to run the System Setup Program!". Continuing seems to be fine.