1 Rookie
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4 Posts
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8194
February 16th, 2023 05:00
Dell R630 stuck on Initializing Firmware Interfaces
Hi all,
I've been upgrading our R630s iDRAC and BIOS to v2.83.83.83 and v.2.16 respectively. I went to rebuild an ESXi host and made the change from BIOS to UEFI boot. Now the server is stuck on 'initializing firmware interfaces' on boot. I've tried unplugging all drives, unplugging all peripherals, pressing and holding the power button for 30secs with the power cables out, tried rolling back to an earlier iDRAC firmware version etc etc etc.
The Lifecycle controller seems to go between being in recovery mode, to being fine, to being unavailable. I can't issue any keyboard commands to get into the BIOS without the server being stuck initializing firmware interfaces.
Anything I can do with RACADM or is this server cooked?
DELL-Chris H
Moderator
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9.5K Posts
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February 16th, 2023 13:00
IEP_support,
Would you confirm a few things for me?
What version was the BIOS and iDrac prior to the update?
Is the server connected to a KVM, if so does issue persist when removed and directly connected?
When you powered down and pulled the cables, did you also clear the NVRAM with the jumper? (as seen on page 178 here)
Have you taken it to its minimum to post configuration? (page 181 of guide linked above)
Let me know what you see.
IEP_support
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February 17th, 2023 02:00
Thanks Chris, I'll try clearing the NVRAM and trying a minimal post configuration.
The server was on BIOS version 2.4.3 and the iDRAC upgrade path was 2.63.60.61 > 2.70.70.70 > 2.83.83.83. I've run the same upgrade on 6 other R630s of the same builds and all have been a success. Odd that this one should fail! The server is not connected to a KVM.
Dell-Martin S
Moderator
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3.5K Posts
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February 17th, 2023 06:00
Hi,
now it works?
Regards Martin
Praveen.Singh
3 Apprentice
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482 Posts
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February 21st, 2023 05:00
if it was not coming up by clearing NVRAM then you need to replace the system board, this is might be a BIOS corruption or interruption during upgrade.
IEP_support
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February 28th, 2023 05:00
Thank you everyone for the suggestions. I'm getting hands on with the box tomorrow and will report back if I can get it resolved. Hopefully I won't need a new system board...
IEP_support
1 Rookie
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4 Posts
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March 1st, 2023 02:00
Clearing the NVRAM using the jumpers worked perfectly. Server needed some attention on boot as it seemed insistent on getting into the lifecycle controller but it was fine after a while. Thank you!