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May 11th, 2023 05:00
Dell R630 iDRAC fails to initialize
Hi,
I have a Dell R630 which has been working fine for years, but recently I have been leaving it powered down (power cables still connected) and just starting it when I need it. About a month ago iDRAC was unreachable. I tried restarting the server, leaving cables unplugged and draining the flea power but still no iDRAC connection (could not ping or access the WebUI). I ordered a portable VGA monitor and keyboard to see what was going on and finally last week I got around to connecting it all up to see what the problem is. However after being left unplugged for a few weeks the error seemed to have cleared itself. I then used it to test some SAS SSDs and then powered it down again.
Today I go to power on the server through iDRAC (which was previously working) and again no connection. Connecting the monitor and keyboard I could see that there was no IP for iDRAC, that the start-up was taking a long time on Initializing iDRAC and then finally a message that iDRAC could not be initialized and then it rebooted with the fans on full. No amount of resetting or draining flea power got it back to working. I tried to access iDRAC settings from the BIOS but that didn't work either.
What can the issue be? I'm thinking it is some sort of hardware problem. Can the iDRAC be replaced separate to the motherboard?
Thanks,
Al
DELL-Charles R
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May 11th, 2023 10:00
Hello albal,
I'm sorry to see you have an iDRAC initialization error. I'll outline a few troubleshooting steps, some you have already done, and in the order you can try:
*Check your firmware for iDRAC and BIOS, try to update if you are not current, when you can connect.
*Export copy of you iDRAC Enterprise license to keep on hand, when you can access the DRAC.
*Reset iDRAC - hold in the 'i' Button for 20 seconds, the DRAC should reboot, wait about 3 minutes. Check results.
*Drain flea power (shut down, disconnect power and NIC cables, hold in power button 20 seconds with cords removed) then reconnect power and NICs.
Check if it boots with no error?
*Clear NVRAM
-shut down. check the map under the lid and find the NVRAM jumper. Set it to the Clear position. Turn on server to the error about the jumper. Shut down and return jumper to default location.
You may have to reconfigure any custom BIOS settings like Boot order, Boot mode.
Check if it boots with no error?
*Reset DRAC to defaults - Boot to < F2 > iDRAC Settings > Reset iDRAC configurations to defaults.
Then Reconfigure DRAC -
Boot to F2 > iDRAC Settings > Network.
Configure IP, Subnet and Gateway and port you use
Check if it boots with no error?
The DRAC is integrated to the system board, so if it is failed it would need a system board replacement.