Did I do something wrong?
Hi,
I have a PowerEdge 2400 server I have been working with for 4 years, and which has been running 24x7 for 5 1/2 years (Except for re-boots). For the last 4 years it has had 3 18GB drives on RAID5.
Last week I shut the server down, and after grounding myself to the server, installed 3 additional known working 18GB SCSI drives, filling all available SCSI slots. Slots #3, 4, and 5 had never had a drive installed. When I hit the power button to re-start, the green light came on for a split second, then the server was dead. Should have stopped right there and came here and asked a question, but no, I unplugged the server for 5 minutes, then plugged it back in. This time it started normally. Well, it was normal until I smelled the ozone, but then it was too late, the backplane was fried. When I removed the backplane I easily spotted the overheated chips on it.
This is one of only 3 true servers with SCSI drives I have ever worked with, so my experience is limited. Did I possibly do something wrong here, installing drives in all the slots? Did they pull too much power? Or is it possible the backplane was bad from day one, and it didn't show up until we attempted to fully utilize it?
Thanks,
Bill
I have a PowerEdge 2400 server I have been working with for 4 years, and which has been running 24x7 for 5 1/2 years (Except for re-boots). For the last 4 years it has had 3 18GB drives on RAID5.
Last week I shut the server down, and after grounding myself to the server, installed 3 additional known working 18GB SCSI drives, filling all available SCSI slots. Slots #3, 4, and 5 had never had a drive installed. When I hit the power button to re-start, the green light came on for a split second, then the server was dead. Should have stopped right there and came here and asked a question, but no, I unplugged the server for 5 minutes, then plugged it back in. This time it started normally. Well, it was normal until I smelled the ozone, but then it was too late, the backplane was fried. When I removed the backplane I easily spotted the overheated chips on it.
This is one of only 3 true servers with SCSI drives I have ever worked with, so my experience is limited. Did I possibly do something wrong here, installing drives in all the slots? Did they pull too much power? Or is it possible the backplane was bad from day one, and it didn't show up until we attempted to fully utilize it?
Thanks,
Bill
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> I have been in the BIOS and the SCSI setup utility, and I haven't seen
> any option to delay the startup of any of the drives.
It should be in the SCSI BIOS utility.
> any option to delay the startup of any of the drives.
It should be in the SCSI BIOS utility.
SCA is the interface type used by Dell servers when a Caddy is involved for the drive. On SCA connectors, there is NO obvious power connector - it's one single connector for power and data.
ASKER
That's what we have: 6 drives in caddys w/ one connection at the back. I like 'em, they're convenient to remove and install.
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ASKER
I have ordered a new backplane. I am concerned about installing it, putting drives in, and having the same thing happen again. I have no other equipment to attach the drives to check them. On the one hand I need to use the drives, on the other I need to avoid this happening again.
What is an SCA drive? I have been in the BIOS and the SCSI setup utility, and I haven't seen any option to delay the startup of any of the drives.