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New Dual Xeon Server Won't Boot
I have a lot of experience building servers and this one has me stumped. I had a server mobo fail on me the other day. After moving crucial data to another server, I decided to build another server with the same components as another server...except the cpu's are different. I also purchased a backup mobo so I wouldn't run into this again. I got everything installed properly and turned the power on to find that the system wouldn't boot. All of the fans spin but I get no POST beeps and the monitor never turns on. I tried removing 1 of the cpus...still nothing. I tried swapping the cpu's...still nothing. I have swapped the video card from PCIe to PCI, put in the spare mobo, swapped the power supply, and swapped the memory...still nothing. I even removed everything from the board and I get the same result. I should at least be getting some beep codes out of the pizo but I am not. Does anyone have any idea what I should do?
System Specs:
Mobo: TYAN S2696WA2NRF (SAS) Dual LGA 771 Intel 5000X
Processor: Intel Xeon E5410 Harpertown 2.33GHz LGA 771 80W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80574E5410A (2 of these)
Memory: Kingston KVR667D2D8F5K2/2G FB-DIMM Dual Channel Server Memory
Video: MSI NX8600GT-T2D256EZ GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16
System Specs:
Mobo: TYAN S2696WA2NRF (SAS) Dual LGA 771 Intel 5000X
Processor: Intel Xeon E5410 Harpertown 2.33GHz LGA 771 80W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80574E5410A (2 of these)
Memory: Kingston KVR667D2D8F5K2/2G FB-DIMM Dual Channel Server Memory
Video: MSI NX8600GT-T2D256EZ GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16
ComponentsServer Hardware
Last Comment
rbichon
ASKER
I had this memory in the other server that has the same mobo. I upgraded that server from 8GB to 16GB but the memory was working when I removed it from the other one. I have tried all of the pairs individually and I still get the same result. It would be nice if I could at least get the mobo to beep at me. I could definitely see how a failed piece of hardware might cause this but I have at least 2 of every component. One thing I should note is that even after leaving the server on for several minutes, the cpu's never seem to get hot. Even with the heatsinks installed, they should be heating up quite a bit. Each time I have removed them, they feel cold. Have you ever seen that before?
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ASKER
I do have the 8-pin connector in place. I noticed that the voltage on the cpu's is different than the voltage on the cpu's in the other server. Should that make a difference?
I will unplug the server for a few minutes to see if that helps. I was thinking of swapping the cpu's between the servers but I am afraid that I might damage those and then screw myself on the other server.
I will unplug the server for a few minutes to see if that helps. I was thinking of swapping the cpu's between the servers but I am afraid that I might damage those and then screw myself on the other server.
If the other server is dual CPU it wouldn't hurt to pull one and try it. If the worst happens you still have one CPU in the original server until spares arrive.
Might be that if you get the mobo to fire up on another CPU you can get a BIOS update done to support the other CPUs. Assuming it works of course ;-)
Might be that if you get the mobo to fire up on another CPU you can get a BIOS update done to support the other CPUs. Assuming it works of course ;-)
ASKER
I will probably try that tomorrow. The other things had no effect except that the computer tried to start without me pushing the power button after I cleared the CMOS. It still didn't turn the monitor on though. I also tried plugging the case fans into the mobo instead of using a molex adapter and they don't spin when the server is on. Seems like they aren't getting any power.
ASKER
Can you think of why the cpu fans would be getting power but not the case fans? The fan plugs on the motherboard have 4 pins and the fans only have 3 pin connectors. They do fit on the board but leave one of the pins exposed. Is this normal?
Not sure about the Tyan board, but on the intel S5000 boards the fans connect to the mobo and are throttled by the BIOS (FRUs). So in setting up an intel mobo you have to run through a low level config utility on the CD that comes with it in order to tell the mobo which fans are connected to which headers. If a fan goes down the mobo senses it and overvolts the other fans (14Volts) to increase airflow.
Saying that though the default is for the mobo to put 14Volts on all the fans as a fail safe - better to have all the fans revved right up than have things overheat.
The 3 pin fan should run off teh 4 pin header - assuming it's on the right 3 pins. Could be that the fans aren't getting any juice because the pins aren't in the correct orientation.
Saying that though the default is for the mobo to put 14Volts on all the fans as a fail safe - better to have all the fans revved right up than have things overheat.
The 3 pin fan should run off teh 4 pin header - assuming it's on the right 3 pins. Could be that the fans aren't getting any juice because the pins aren't in the correct orientation.
ASKER
Their is a plastic guide that forces the connector to be in the correct position.
I did a little research and I think I have it narrowed down. I either have an incompatible power supply or incompatible cpu's or both. Tyan's site does not show my cpu's as being supported by this mobo. Also, there are three power connectors on the mobo, not two. There is the EPS 24-pin connector, an EPS 8-pin connector, and an EPS 4-pin connector. The manual says that all three must be connected and that most ATX power supplies aren't suppoted. How nice. It also says that if you try to power up the system without all three connected, you can damage the mobo and the cpu's. So I might have fried both cpu's and mobo's. Anyway, I ordered another power supply and some extension cables because the board layout is non-standard and the power supply I have doesn't quite reach. I'll let you know what works. Thanks for your help so far.
I did a little research and I think I have it narrowed down. I either have an incompatible power supply or incompatible cpu's or both. Tyan's site does not show my cpu's as being supported by this mobo. Also, there are three power connectors on the mobo, not two. There is the EPS 24-pin connector, an EPS 8-pin connector, and an EPS 4-pin connector. The manual says that all three must be connected and that most ATX power supplies aren't suppoted. How nice. It also says that if you try to power up the system without all three connected, you can damage the mobo and the cpu's. So I might have fried both cpu's and mobo's. Anyway, I ordered another power supply and some extension cables because the board layout is non-standard and the power supply I have doesn't quite reach. I'll let you know what works. Thanks for your help so far.
ASKER
Okay, so it turned out to be both. I RMA'ed the existing board because the processors weren't compatible with it even though Newegg suggested they were. What an amateur mistake. Next time I will visit the MFG's website instead. I got another Tyan board that is compatible with the new processors as well as a new power supply that is compatible with the new board. The new board actually has 4 power connectors and all need to be connected. This one booted right away. Thanks for your help.
Is the RAM correct for the mobo? Have seen instances where the wrong combination of ECC/Buffering can cause complete duds.