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June 19th, 2025 20:47
Dell PowerEdge R230 won't recognise more than one hard drive.
I recently aquired a Dell PowerEdge R230 and when a hard drive is plugged into HDD0 it functions perfectly. However when any other connector is used it doesn't show up at all, not in BIOS and not in the software I have installed. The only things differentiating the drive that works with the drives that don't is the connector and the fact I do not have them screwed into the caddy and am using cardboard so prop them up high enough to be able to access the connector. Is this an issue with the fact they aren't screwed in? I could check if the same drives function in HDD0 and if it matters if they are screwed in but I cannot at the moment. If I do I will add an update.
Thanks in advance,
puppygirlstink
DELL-Joey C
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June 20th, 2025 01:50
Hi,
I am assuming the server is hot swap configuration instead of cabled drives as you mentioned caddy. I would suggest not to use cardboard built caddy, as this may damage the backplane connector slot, known as bent pins.
Furthermore, I would suggest, try the working HDD on other slots to make sure the slot is working. You also mentioned trying the other drive on the only caddy you have to be inserted to the slot, I would agree to check on that.
Also, I would advise checking if the drive is compatible. Using a Dell certified drive would eliminate the issue.
puppygirlstink
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June 20th, 2025 18:58
@DELL-Joey C I don't think it's hot swap though? As it doesn't have a backplane, just cables. The caddy is not built of cardboard, just a little at the bottom to hold up the hard drive as I do not have computer screws.
I'm not sure how to check if the drive is Dell certified, however the drive that works is a WD Blue 500GB (MDL: WD5000AAKS-22V1A0) and the drives that do not work are a Seagate Video 3.5 HD 500GB (ST3500312CS) and a Seagate Pipeline HD 2 500GB (ST3500312CS).
Doing some testing, the WD Blue 500GB does work in other slots. It also works not screwed in, so that is unrelated and the Seagate drives do not work in any slot.
Do you have any idea as to why these Seagate drives do not work but the WD Blue 500GB does?
DELL-Charles R
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June 20th, 2025 19:41
Hello,
You are correct that cabled hard drives are not hot swap.
It's good you tested a drive, the WD drive, will work on all connectors so that rules out the cable.
For the Seagate drives; are they Dell branded drives?
Dell drives have firmware that is validated to work and non-Dell drives may or may not work as they have not be validated.
Does you drive label say Dell and have a DP/N part number?
puppygirlstink
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June 20th, 2025 23:24
@DELL-Charles R No. From what I can remember (this was years ago) these drives were ripped out of some Sky+HD TV Boxes. No Dell mention and no DP/N. Is it just the Dell firmware that stops these from working or is it another thing entirely?
DELL-Joey C
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June 22nd, 2025 23:42
Hi,
If the drives are from other systems and not from Dell server's, it won't contain any Dell part numbers. There are circumstances that the disk controller require the drive firmware to be able to be detected.
Since you have already tested the working drive on other SATA ports, that conclude that the ports and cables are working fine. Have you tried connecting just the Seagate drive without the WD drive to check the issue? Have you tried connecting the Seagate drive on other system, eg: PC and check if the drive is working? If yes, can you try formatting the drive and connect the Seagate drive back to the server to check the issue.
If the issue persist, you might need to analyze the controller log to check if there are any log traces that gives any hints to why the disk is not appearing in BIOS. To analyze the logs, you will need to open a ticket with the support with a one time fee incurred.