R730 doesn't start

Hi,

thanks for your fast response. I've updated LC and iDRAC to version 2.81.81.81meanwhile and it runs, but the R730 still doesn't power on and no PSU is listed in iDRAC. In hardware inventory both PSUs are labeled as absent and there is still no power supply node visible under the hardware node in the tree view in iDRAC.

Also I've started an bios update seperatelly. It will be downloaded and a reboot will requested, but after a while a warning message was added to the log that the system could not start.

At the moment it seems important to me to know if that's a normal behaviour that there is no power supply node visible. Or have I to do some other checks at first? Currently I haven't a second PSU available yet in order to check if the PSU could have a communication problem. And I haven't a suitable system available in order to check CPU and DIMM module. Could one of these items have impact to the PSU recognition in iDRAC? Or does iDRAC first recognize PSU if the system powers on? I'm new with DELL servers, sorry for possibly stupid questions.

By the way, the content of hardware repository is labeled as last updated on march 2021. It was the time the R730 was checked by the seller. With the R730 I've got a check list with matching date.

Hi, thanks for choosing Dell. From what I see I think you used update catalog.  But it’d be best if you download the files one by one on the website. Anyways how about updating LC and idrac first with this?

https://dell.to/3oYSwyI

Hi, I think at this point we should try minimum to post.

The minimum components to allow the Dell PowerEdgeR730/R730xd to complete POST are as follows:
 • System board
• One power supply unit
 • One processor (CPU) in socket CPU1
 • One memory module (DIMM) installed in socket A1
 • Left control panel (for power button functionality)
 • One backplane card

Hi,

thanks for your advice. The listed configuration matches the current configuration already. No other components are installed.

Hello Andreas,

I am sorry you faced with this issue.

I've checked screenshots with logs and it looks like BIOS wasn't updated  successfully. Could you please check troubleshooting steps, which are described in this article:

Article Number: 000115696: PowerEdge: How to Recover from a Corrupt or Interrupted BIOS Update

https://dell.to/32vvOqz

Please ask me if you have any questions,

Maria Januszka

#IWork4Dell

Dell | Social Outreach Services - Enterprise

Hello Maria,

many thanks for your help. I've tried an bios update yesterday and it couldn't be executed. This caused the log entry from the screenshot. But the problem with none starting system exists since my first try to power up the system after I've got it on monday. If I will be back at home again I will post an export from the whole lifecycle controller log. Perhaps one can see something else what happens in the past.

Nevertheless I will follow your advice to try to restore the bios. This should not damage anything, I'm right?

One question again. In lifecycle controller log a warning RED033 is listed after try to update the bios. I've searched for a detailed explanation for this message id and found the following information on DELL support website.

What does it mean that operating system issues prevent a shutdown? The system isn't powered up, only iDRAC is running.

Hello Andreas, 

Article describes how to restore BIOS.
Regarding alert message RED033 it looks like system didn't update BIOS, because couldn't reboot. Did you install OS?

Please ask me if you have any questions, 
Maria Januszka 
#IWork4Dell
Dell | Social Outreach Services - Enterprise

Hello Maria,

no, I didn't install an OS. There isn't connected a storage device at the moment. And the system didn't power on until now. Because of this I'm wondering about this message id. Perhaps the message id is generic and will also be used if an already powered down system can't be started?

Hello Andreas,

Thank you for your reply.

Could you please also check Status LED indicators, regarding this troubleshooting guide:

https://dell.to/3r3WLMf

Did you install HD and which?

Is there fan noise when you try to power on server?

It would be also great if you could gather logs from iDRAC and send me it in Private Message.

I would like to check alerts, you asked about.

How to gather logs from iDRAC:

https://dell.to/30PTiGx

Please ask me if you have any questions,

Maria Januszka

#IWork4Dell

Dell | Social Outreach Services - Enterprise

questions for you:
1. which CPU socket is the processor installed in?
2. can you confirm there are no bent pins in the CPU socket?
3. try removing as many parts as possible from the system, risers, storage controller, integrated nics,           disconnect everything from the storage backplane. 
4. try the PSU in both rear PSU sockets. 
5. also try removing the dimm in A1, the system should still power on, but wont boot normally. 
6. do you have any other models of Dell servers on hand?
The PSU's shouldnt say they are absent. 
#Iwork4Dell

Hi,

thanks for reply. Here are the answers.

1. Processor is installed in socket 1

2. I haven't checked the socket with a magnifying glass, only a short view. It looked okay, but I will do this yet.

3. Storage controller and integrated nics are installed yet. I will remove they.

4. PSU was tried in both PSU sockets already.

5. Okay, I will make a test with removed DIMM module.

6. I have a R420 available, but there are no components I could exchange for testing.

If I have testet it without DIMM module and storage controller I will give feedback. Thank you very much for your help.

Now I have tried a power on removed DIMM module, risers, storage controller, integrated nics and disconnected storage backplane. Again nothing happend after I pressed down the power button. Also the system fans doesn't turn on. Front display was now showing the following errors:

- The system board Riser 3 cable or interconnect is not connected, or is improperly connected.

- The system board Riser cable or interconnect is not connected, or is improperly connected.

- The NDC is absent.

- The system board Riser 2 cable or interconnect is not connected, or is improperly connected.

Aside from that I've checked the pins of CPU socket. They are fine, I couldn't detect bent pins. With removed CPU a tried another power on and this time additionally the error "CPU 1 is absent" was listed. During these tries with removed components the rear system id LED was static amber.

After reinstall all removed components the system doesn't show the errors anymore. The rear system id LED lights static blue for a while and was turning off then. And the front display lights blue and shows the service tag. But still the system can't be powered on by pressing the power button.

I've noticed that system fan 4 turn on for about 60 seconds after connecting the system to power source. Then it turns off.

With opened chassis I could recognize that two LEDs on the mainboard lights green. There are labels near them with value "DS_LED3" and "DS_3005". I don't know what they indicates, but perhaps someone knows their meaning.

Regards

Andreas

Hi, DS_LED3" and "DS_3005, I think these are for our tech support engineers to look at not the users, since it needs opening of the system. It's LEDs WITHIN the mainboard. It's for debugging.