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 &nbsp; To start the diagnostics will it boot a floppy or a CD?
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jimbecher-<br />
unfortunately, i can't get it to boot from either. &nbsp; I press F2 in the beginning and it says &quot;ENTERING SETUP&quot; but it really never does. This has been a separate issue from long ago but it was kind of shelved. &nbsp;
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 &nbsp; Wow. Life just got really bad really fast. I quit using Dells for this exact reason. It sounds like you got in the the raid setup. If Dell is still using Adaptec controllers see if there is an optin in the controller setup to support bootable CD drives and/or any other type of devives and enable it. Then see if you can boot a CD.<br />
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&nbsp; &nbsp;This doesn't look good. Can't boot anything and can't get in to setup? Ouch!
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I was kind of thinking the same..... &nbsp; This doesn't look good. &nbsp;I'm worried that all the data is on the drives alive and well and wiping a drive to reload Windows won't help a darn. <br />
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This isn't an Adaptec controller though. &nbsp;This machine has two LSI Logic PERC 4/DC controllers. &nbsp;I'll take a look but I don't remember any boot options other than Logical Drives. &nbsp;
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 &nbsp; That could be. Last I messed with Dell Adaptec was doing the Percs for them. That is the killer. It sounds as if the data is still alive and well on the drives but without being able to boot a CD or a floppy you have not way to get the data off. Wiping and reloading might not be worth it and if you can't boot a CD how are you going to reload?
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Good, so it sees the logical drives. &nbsp;You need to boot to the OS media but first need to make sure you have a Mass storage driver that will allow the OS media to communicate with the controller. &nbsp;If the system has a floopy you can get the driver @:<br />
<a href="http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&cs=28&l=en&s=dfb&releaseid=R99970&SystemID=PWE_6800&servicetag=&os=WNET&osl=en&deviceid=3429&devlib=0&typecnt=0&vercnt=2&catid=-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=3&libid=35&fileid=129538" rel="ugc">http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&cs=28&l=en&s=dfb&releaseid=R99970&SystemID=PWE_6800&servicetag=&os=WNET&osl=en&deviceid=3429&devlib=0&typecnt=0&vercnt=2&catid=-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=3&libid=35&fileid=129538</a><br />
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Extract all of these files to your floopy and then boot to the OS media, hit F6 when prompted to load 3rd party drivers. &nbsp;Once the driver is loaded OS can communicate with controller (PERC 4/DC) and you should be able to hit R for repair at the first prompt. &nbsp;This will bring you to recovery console. &nbsp;You will need the Local Admin Password to access the volume. &nbsp;If recovery consoled recognizes a C: then it see the OS install and you can run CHKDSK /R from the C prompt. &nbsp;Run this till it comes back without any errors. &nbsp;If it does not recognize an OS installation you will get a failure before you get to C: , this means you will need to re-install. &nbsp;Let me know if this works or if you need further instructions.
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Forgive me if I am wrong but you can't boot a CD or anything else can you?
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AustinDellMan-<br />
The LSI config utility recognizes the logical drives but it can't get past the Black startup screens... In particular, &quot;Press CTRL-E for BMC Setup within 5 seconds.....&quot;<br />
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I can't boot to the OS media at all. &nbsp;I can't boot to anything really... it just hangs. &nbsp;
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 &nbsp; This is really starting from the basics but you don't have a CD in the CD drive, or a flash drive, of a external USB hard drive or anything else connected that it might be trying to boot do you? As soon as you see the Press Ctrl-E for BMC Setup try hitting either escape or F1 to try and get by it.<br />
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&nbsp; &nbsp;What really scares me is not being able to get in to the setup with an F2. &nbsp;
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jimbecher-<br />
You are correct! &nbsp;I can't boot into any device whatsoever. &nbsp;I can't get into the typical SETUP area where you can specify bootup devices and boot order. &nbsp;This machine is dead in the water. &nbsp;<br />
<br />
Update:<br />
I deleted the RAID configuration and am starting over with only the boot OS Win 2003 drive(s). RAID 1. 2 drives. &nbsp;Single partition of C:. &nbsp;<br />
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It's still stuck after the &quot;Press CTRL-E for BMC Setup within 5 seconds&quot;. <br />
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Ughhhhh............. 
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Nothing in the CD. &nbsp;No USB devices attached. &nbsp;<br />
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I can't get past the CTRL-E screen at all. I've tried different keys and combos. &nbsp;<br />
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I even tried going into the CTRL-E screen and it does work. &nbsp; It's like it doesn't know what to do after the BMC option is finished with the option to enter it. &nbsp; It does the dot dot dot...... slowly like it always has but in the past it finishes the periods and then it moves on to the rest of the boot up. &nbsp; &nbsp; <br />
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Now that I emptied the RAID configuration and started over with only C: (2 disks) it should be really basic on bootup options. The RAID config screen understands there is only Disk 0 Logical to boot from. &nbsp;It was three options to choose from and now 1 since I reset. 
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 &nbsp; And did it boot? Are you really sure you want to put this Dell back in to poduction? :)
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Nope. It did not boot. &nbsp;Same situation. &nbsp;<br />
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Honestly, I don't have a choice... this server has to go back online. &nbsp; Long story, but I have to make this machine operable. &nbsp;Luckily this machine is not being depended on but it will need to be soon. &nbsp;<br />
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Before I call Dell support for help... is it possible this is a Backplane problem? &nbsp; Do you have any experience with Dell support and do they actually find solutions? &nbsp;
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Does this system have a Dell Remote Access controller in it? &nbsp;If so, pull that out. &nbsp;Also, in the BMC (CNTRL E) disable virtual media if it is enabled, and make sure you have no USB devices attached to the system except keyboard and mouse.
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If you are able to create the logical drive and the CNTRL M bios sees everything then it is not the Backplane or the controller. &nbsp;You need to look at the DRAC if it is installed and enter the BMC and disable Virtual Media.
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AustinDellMan-<br />
Not sure what a Dell Access Controller is so it probably doesn't have one. &nbsp; &nbsp;I will check in the morning on bootup to see if there is anything that says Dell Access Controller or DRAC on the screen. &nbsp;I'm pretty sure Virtual Media is disabled but I will verify that as well. <br />
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Inkevin-<br />
I will let the server sit on the CTRL-E prompt to see if anything occurs. I'm sure I gave it at least 30 minutes or so to continue but I will try again. <br />
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The thing about F2 and waiting is a strange one also. &nbsp; I can hit F2 and it will change from &quot;Setup&quot; to &quot;ENTERING SETUP&quot; in the upper-right corner. &nbsp;Regardless of the F2 or not, it really doesn't change screens and just continues the startup process. &nbsp;It crossed my mind maybe I need to update the BIOS but I'm worried about changing anything while these issues are apparent. <br />
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If I can get this server to boot from floppy... what should be my next step in troubleshooting? 
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Enter the BMC setup with CNTRL E, let me know what options you have. &nbsp;Again if you have an option for virtual media, make sure you disable it. On post it the system has a DRAC you will see it post &quot;RAC&quot; which stands for Remote Access Controller. &nbsp;This device works hand in hand with the BMC and that is where the post is hanging by your description. &nbsp;Also, you can try what is called a minimum to post configuration, pull out all hardware except 1 CPU, one PSU, I DIMM of memory in DIMM slot 1a. &nbsp;Let me know what happens in this config.
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In addition to the previous, you can try NVRAM jumper pin on the mother board. &nbsp;Make sure you unseat all the HDDs from the backplane and then Move the NVRAM jumper to the other set of pins on the board. &nbsp;Typically three pins there, move the jumper to the only other possible config and then power the system up. &nbsp;This will reset the BIOS and should clear any underlying issues with BIOS. &nbsp;You will get a message on the screen , dont remember the actuall verbage but then you can power back off and move the pin back to original setting. &nbsp;Reseat all your HDDs and then power back up.
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I won't have an opportunity to try all your suggestions until late tonight. &nbsp;Thank you everyone for your concern and I will give you guys an update. &nbsp; 
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I can finally boot into Windows. &nbsp;Turns out even though I designated a Boot Drive of 1 in the LSI RAID Config setup screen... it didn't matter. &nbsp;I got it to work after I reset the NVRAM jumper, re-established the C: drives as A00-00/01 instead of A01-00/01 and boot from Drive 0 instead of 1. &nbsp;We have the optional 1x2 drive module and that limits boot choices even though the Raid config allows me to specify other boot drives. &nbsp;I can get into windows and data is well on all drives! &nbsp;<br />
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This isn't consistent but in blue writing on the boot up... I get the message:<br />
&quot;Perc RAID Adapter<br />
LSI Logic Group<br />
Cache Memory Error!<br />
Please check SDRAM connection&quot;
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On that controller I can not remember, is the battery physically attached to the Controller DIMM? &nbsp;If so, try reseating the module. &nbsp;If the error continues I would disable the controller caching thru the Open Manage that I suggested you install. &nbsp;You may see a performance degredation but you wont get corrupted data as the controller will not be caching to that DIMM.
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Help... Our PowerEdge 6800 will no longer boot. &nbsp; We were having problems with RAID. &nbsp;They appear to be ok now and all volumes are visible using CTRL+M during startup. &nbsp;<br />
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What happens now is it detects the RAID and logical drives. &nbsp;Then it sits at a black screen that says &quot;Press CTRL-E for BMC Setup within 5 seconds.....&quot; &nbsp;I can get into CTRL-E BMC Setup just fine but it won't get PAST that message prompt. &nbsp; <br />
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I instructed the RAID to boot of the appropriate volume (and I tried the others just in case). &nbsp;<br />
<br />
How can I troubleshoot? &nbsp; Please be descriptive. 
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Help... Our PowerEdge 6800 will no longer boot.   We were having problems with RAID.  They appear to be ok now and all volumes are visible using CTRL+M during startup.  

What happens now is it detects the RAID and logical drives.  Then it sits at a black screen that says "Press CTRL-E for BMC Setup within 5 seconds....."  I can get into CTRL-E BMC Setup just fine but it won't get PAST that message prompt.   

I instructed the RAID to boot of the appropriate volume (and I tried the others just in case).  

How can I troubleshoot?   Please be descriptive. 

Dell PowerEdge 6800 won't boot

Servers are computing devices that are similar to desktop computers in that they have the same basic components, but are significantly different in size, configuration and purpose. Servers are usually accessed over a network, and many run unattended, without a computer monitor, input device, audio hardware or USB interfaces. Many servers do not have a graphical user interface (GUI), and are configured and managed remotely. Servers typically include hardware redundancy such as dual power supplies, RAID disk systems, and ECC memory, along with extensive pre-boot memory testing and verification. Critical components might be hot swappable, and to guard against overheating, servers might have more powerful fans or use water cooling.