Anyone want anything for old Dell Poweredge servers on the cheap? - Page 2

**BAMF** · 08-12-2009, 07:03 PM

Alright, the 2500 is ready.

Two Pentium III 1Ghz processors.
Two 10k 18GB SCSI and Six 10k RPM 36.4GB SCSI drives
512Kb ECC SDRAM

Other than that, its just like every other 2500 - 3 hot swappable power supplies, fans galore, etc. etc. etc. The 2550s will have 2GB ECC Ram in them and 1.1ghz processors, but only hold 4 SCSI drives - at least one of them will be up as soon as I figure out what the fuck is wrong with 'em.

$100 sounds bout right.

Largo · 08-13-2009, 10:03 AM

Lolz, I do support for Dell BAMF, if you need any help hit me up. I can find out what is causing your woes.

**BAMF** · 08-13-2009, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Largo

Lolz, I do support for Dell BAMF, if you need any help hit me up. I can find out what is causing your woes.

I'll have to, because I've tried everything I've ever known and I can't get these fucking RAID controllers to boot up and fucking at least work to the point where I can get into their configuration utilities to fix and issues they may have. Ima be pissed if I end up having to part out the 2550s instead of selling them as whole servers.

IamSuprAwsum · 08-13-2009, 02:15 PM

Is the RAID integrated into the board or is it a PCI or PCI-X card? If your near the airport in Tampa I can stay a little late after work and help you troubleshoot them. We have some RAID cards laying around here at the office.

Largo · 08-13-2009, 03:59 PM

Nothing person JCHauncey, but these SCSI raid cards are something you won't have. They were rare when Dell made the systems, and SCSI 320 Perc3 raid controllers are even rarer today.

You getting any error messages? Any lights on the system? Is it getting to POST and not going to OS or whatyo?

Notladstyle · 08-13-2009, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Largo

Nothing person JCHauncey, but these SCSI raid cards are something you won't have. They were rare when Dell made the systems, and SCSI 320 Perc3 raid controllers are even rarer today.

You getting any error messages? Any lights on the system? Is it getting to POST and not going to OS or whatyo?

Fail. pop an adaptec ultra scsi card in and you are good for 7 drives. they are as low as $30 on ebay.

I want one of these... if its broken ill buy it

IamSuprAwsum · 08-14-2009, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Largo

Nothing person JCHauncey, but these SCSI raid cards are something you won't have. They were rare when Dell made the systems, and SCSI 320 Perc3 raid controllers are even rarer today.

You getting any error messages? Any lights on the system? Is it getting to POST and not going to OS or whatyo?

The idea wasnt to fuck with the original scsi card. The idea was to put another known working card into the same slot and then a different slot to determine if its card related or slot related. I was just offering to help troubleshoot it with the fact that I have access to an office, parts, and tools to do so. The company I work for is a reseller for Dell so we might actually have the parts.

Largo · 08-16-2009, 12:12 PM

Well, the scsi controller is onboard, so if it is an issue with the controller replacing it may work. Of course if the scsi BIOS is shot, it may not be recoverable at all.

Notladstyle · 08-16-2009, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Largo

Well, the scsi controller is onboard, so if it is an issue with the controller replacing it may work. Of course if the scsi BIOS is shot, it may not be recoverable at all.

PCI, PCI-x and PCI-e all support on card BIOS boot roms

what kind of support do you do?

Largo · 08-17-2009, 09:07 AM

That is all well and good, but if the onboard BIOS is hanging to the point where it won't boot. He may not be able to boot even with a replacement card. Seen it happen and it's never fun.

IamSuprAwsum · 08-17-2009, 12:16 PM

Regardless, if its to that point and the mobo is trashed, it doesnt really matter. Its an old server. If swapping a card in will allow it to boot and work then I guess its still usable. Thats part of troubleshooting. Fuck with it until it works. If it doesnt work at all, its trash.

Largo · 08-17-2009, 12:54 PM

Yeah, it's always fun... for some reason the customers don't agree. lulz

**BAMF** · 08-17-2009, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Largo

Yeah, it's always fun... for some reason the customers don't agree. lulz

Well, lets focus on one 2550 at a time. This one loads up the BIOS, then goes to the screen where it says:

Poweredge 2550
Embedded server management firmware revision 5.46
Primary system backplane controller firmware revision 1.30

Two 1133 MHz processors, blah blah.

Dell Poweredge Expandable RAID Controller 3/Di, BIOS V2.8-1 [Build 6098]
(c) 1988 - 2003 blah blah

<<<Press <Ctrl><A> for Adaptec RAID Config Utility!>>>

Waiting for Controller to start....
Fatal Error: Controller kernel self test failed
<< Press any key to continue ... >>

Now, I can't press Ctrl+A to get into the config utility before the fatal error comes up. If I attempt to press Ctrl+A when it says press any key to continue it says:

Controller not started
Controller POST command failed
<<Press any key to continue...>>
Controller #00: Dell at PCI Bus:02, Dev:02, Dunc:01
Adaptec RAID Config Utility will be invoked after initialization.
Waiting for Controller to Start....
Fatal Error: Controller Kernel Self Test failed
<<Press any key to continue>>

If I press any other key besides the key to get into the RAID Config Utility, as in when I press the F2 to go to BIOS, it gives me a message saying "Bios not installed!", then loads the ethernet adapter, then loads a boot manager, then takes me into the BIOS.

IamSuprAwsum · 08-18-2009, 08:50 AM

I would put a RAID card in and see if it disables the onboard controller. Then go from there, but it sounds like theres more problems with it than just the RAID controller. Maybe see if you can get a newer BIOS and see if it will let you flash it. It probably wont work if its not getting past POST but it cant hurt to try.

Largo · 08-18-2009, 10:37 AM

Okay, well if you can get to the BIOS, that is a good sign. The embedded scsi controller is not loading the BIOS, so that is why you are getting that message I believe. Also, try removing the scsi drives from the controller, sometimes failed drives can cause that. Also make sure the system shows that there is a service tag flashed to the BIOS as this can can be caused by no service tag.

I would love to play with this just cause it's cool. Lolz.

Also: http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...0/en/index.htm

IamSuprAwsum · 08-18-2009, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Largo

Okay, well if you can get to the BIOS, that is a good sign. The embedded scsi controller is not loading the BIOS, so that is why you are getting that message I believe. Also, try removing the scsi drives from the controller, sometimes failed drives can cause that. Also make sure the system shows that there is a service tag flashed to the BIOS as this can can be caused by no service tag.

I would love to play with this just cause it's cool. Lolz.

Also: http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...0/en/index.htm

I didnt even think about removing the hard drives. Good idea.

Not quite following you on the service tag issue. Can you elaborate on that?

Yes, it does sound fun to play around with.

Largo · 08-18-2009, 12:22 PM

With Dell systems, the service tag is coded in the BIOS. WIth the PERC cards, it can cause the kernel to crash if it isn't in there. Some companies will clear out the service tag when getting rid of older systems.

IamSuprAwsum · 08-18-2009, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Largo

With Dell systems, the service tag is coded in the BIOS. WIth the PERC cards, it can cause the kernel to crash if it isn't in there. Some companies will clear out the service tag when getting rid of older systems.

Yeah I knew Dell saved the service tags in the BIOS. I just didnt really understand what you were saying the way you worded it.

Largo · 08-18-2009, 04:24 PM

Yeah, I see some possible misinterpretations of my wording, will I change it? No. i'm lazy.

There is a utility to flash a service tag to the BIOS, so I may have to find that for BAMF if it comes to it.

IamSuprAwsum · 08-18-2009, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Largo

Yeah, I see some possible misinterpretations of my wording, will I change it? No. i'm lazy.

There is a utility to flash a service tag to the BIOS, so I may have to find that for BAMF if it comes to it.

lol I wouldnt change it either.

Im not sure why a company would clear the service tag from BIOS though. The service tag is the serial number for that machine and its got stickers stating what it is on 2 locations of the case so its not like it doesnt follow the machine around. Wierd.

08-18-2009, 10:37 AM	#35 (permalink)
Largo Bewbie Ricer Type-R	Okay, well if you can get to the BIOS, that is a good sign. The embedded scsi controller is not loading the BIOS, so that is why you are getting that message I believe. Also, try removing the scsi drives from the controller, sometimes failed drives can cause that. Also make sure the system shows that there is a service tag flashed to the BIOS as this can can be caused by no service tag. I would love to play with this just cause it's cool. Lolz. Also: http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...0/en/index.htm Last edited by Largo : 08-18-2009 at 10:47 AM.

08-12-2009, 07:03 PM	#21 (permalink)
BAMF Thread TERRORIST	Alright, the 2500 is ready. Two Pentium III 1Ghz processors. Two 10k 18GB SCSI and Six 10k RPM 36.4GB SCSI drives 512Kb ECC SDRAM Other than that, its just like every other 2500 - 3 hot swappable power supplies, fans galore, etc. etc. etc. The 2550s will have 2GB ECC Ram in them and 1.1ghz processors, but only hold 4 SCSI drives - at least one of them will be up as soon as I figure out what the fuck is wrong with 'em. $100 sounds bout right.

08-13-2009, 10:03 AM	#22 (permalink)
Largo Bewbie Ricer Type-R	Lolz, I do support for Dell BAMF, if you need any help hit me up. I can find out what is causing your woes.

08-13-2009, 02:15 PM	#24 (permalink)
IamSuprAwsum Blasphemer	Is the RAID integrated into the board or is it a PCI or PCI-X card? If your near the airport in Tampa I can stay a little late after work and help you troubleshoot them. We have some RAID cards laying around here at the office.

08-13-2009, 03:59 PM	#25 (permalink)
Largo Bewbie Ricer Type-R	Nothing person JCHauncey, but these SCSI raid cards are something you won't have. They were rare when Dell made the systems, and SCSI 320 Perc3 raid controllers are even rarer today. You getting any error messages? Any lights on the system? Is it getting to POST and not going to OS or whatyo?

08-16-2009, 12:12 PM	#28 (permalink)
Largo Bewbie Ricer Type-R	Well, the scsi controller is onboard, so if it is an issue with the controller replacing it may work. Of course if the scsi BIOS is shot, it may not be recoverable at all.

08-17-2009, 09:07 AM	#30 (permalink)
Largo Bewbie Ricer Type-R	That is all well and good, but if the onboard BIOS is hanging to the point where it won't boot. He may not be able to boot even with a replacement card. Seen it happen and it's never fun.

08-17-2009, 12:16 PM	#31 (permalink)
IamSuprAwsum Blasphemer	Regardless, if its to that point and the mobo is trashed, it doesnt really matter. Its an old server. If swapping a card in will allow it to boot and work then I guess its still usable. Thats part of troubleshooting. Fuck with it until it works. If it doesnt work at all, its trash.

08-17-2009, 12:54 PM	#32 (permalink)
Largo Bewbie Ricer Type-R	Yeah, it's always fun... for some reason the customers don't agree. lulz

08-18-2009, 08:50 AM	#34 (permalink)
IamSuprAwsum Blasphemer	I would put a RAID card in and see if it disables the onboard controller. Then go from there, but it sounds like theres more problems with it than just the RAID controller. Maybe see if you can get a newer BIOS and see if it will let you flash it. It probably wont work if its not getting past POST but it cant hurt to try.

08-18-2009, 12:22 PM	#37 (permalink)
Largo Bewbie Ricer Type-R	With Dell systems, the service tag is coded in the BIOS. WIth the PERC cards, it can cause the kernel to crash if it isn't in there. Some companies will clear out the service tag when getting rid of older systems.

08-18-2009, 04:24 PM	#39 (permalink)
Largo Bewbie Ricer Type-R	Yeah, I see some possible misinterpretations of my wording, will I change it? No. i'm lazy. There is a utility to flash a service tag to the BIOS, so I may have to find that for BAMF if it comes to it.