Dell PowerEdge 2600 won't boot
I have a Dell PowerEdge 2600 server that I have purchased recently. I bought it for parts as I needed a replacement power supply for a client. I saw the server boot up when I bought it but the guy did struggle to get it to boot initially. It did what it's doing now.
The seller said that it had done this a few times whilst he had it but he put this down to the fact that he'd removed the hard disks. I don't buy this argument though.
I've been carrying this server around in the back of the car for a week or so and I've since obtained a replacement power supply for it to replace the one I used for my client. Trouble is, it's not booting. It sits there with the power light (the one in the middle of the button) steadily flashing green. There are some fans running but not all of them. Nothing happens when I press the power button.
What I've tried:
1. Re-seated memory
2. Re-seated processor
3. Re-seated power distribution connectors
4. Removed power, battery pack, CMOS button battery and pressed the surface mount 'reset' switch.
5. Obtained a second replacement power supply
6. Removed all non-essential cards ( a second NIC and a USB expansion card)
7. Re-seated all obvious cards that appear to be re-seatable.
8. Tried installing a hard disk
There are a series of LEDs on the motherboard for diagnostic purposes. All of these are OFF but there is an LED close to these which is on.
On disconnection of power, the rear cooling fans tend to spin a bit which demonstrates that power is getting that far.
Initially, I thought maybe I had a faulty power supply but I now have a second replacement and I'm getting the same results.
Any ideas?
The seller said that it had done this a few times whilst he had it but he put this down to the fact that he'd removed the hard disks. I don't buy this argument though.
I've been carrying this server around in the back of the car for a week or so and I've since obtained a replacement power supply for it to replace the one I used for my client. Trouble is, it's not booting. It sits there with the power light (the one in the middle of the button) steadily flashing green. There are some fans running but not all of them. Nothing happens when I press the power button.
What I've tried:
1. Re-seated memory
2. Re-seated processor
3. Re-seated power distribution connectors
4. Removed power, battery pack, CMOS button battery and pressed the surface mount 'reset' switch.
5. Obtained a second replacement power supply
6. Removed all non-essential cards ( a second NIC and a USB expansion card)
7. Re-seated all obvious cards that appear to be re-seatable.
8. Tried installing a hard disk
There are a series of LEDs on the motherboard for diagnostic purposes. All of these are OFF but there is an LED close to these which is on.
On disconnection of power, the rear cooling fans tend to spin a bit which demonstrates that power is getting that far.
Initially, I thought maybe I had a faulty power supply but I now have a second replacement and I'm getting the same results.
Any ideas?
zogmit
Dell Server are picky about the ram. First of all, it has to be in pairs. So if you have 2048MB on it, you must have either 4x512MB RAM sticks or 2x1024MB RAM sticks. Check that out, also, make sure the ram is UNBuferred.
ASKER
Thanks zogmit - I have two pairs in there. 2x256 and 2x1024. I've tried booting with just the 2x256 and have the same issue.
I should add that absolutely nothing happens when you press the power button. No beeps no fans - nothing.
Also, since my last post, I've realised that the fans I can hear running are the ones in the power supply itself. However, there is still power getting to the board as that LED works, the flashing power button and the rear fans spin when you disconnect the power cable.
I should add that absolutely nothing happens when you press the power button. No beeps no fans - nothing.
Also, since my last post, I've realised that the fans I can hear running are the ones in the power supply itself. However, there is still power getting to the board as that LED works, the flashing power button and the rear fans spin when you disconnect the power cable.
The problem could be on the motherboard. Flashing button indicates that you don't have power to your devices. However, your power supply is running so I would think the problem is on your motherboard. If you can swap the motherboard to test it out. If the server is still under Dell service, call Dell to obtain a new MB.
K
K
ASKER
Hi - no chance of either of those I'm afraid. The server's over 6 years old and I don't have any spares.
What I can tell you though is that whatever this is, it's intermittent. I'm sat here merrily working away and the server suddenly fires up on the test bench!
I didn't have a keyboard connected and it didn't recognise one when I plugged it in. I tried to turn it off by pressing and holding the power button on the front and nothing happened. I pulled the power from the back and put it back in again. Now it won't boot again.
Maybe the button on the front is faulty? Maybe that's why it's not powering up?
What I can tell you though is that whatever this is, it's intermittent. I'm sat here merrily working away and the server suddenly fires up on the test bench!
I didn't have a keyboard connected and it didn't recognise one when I plugged it in. I tried to turn it off by pressing and holding the power button on the front and nothing happened. I pulled the power from the back and put it back in again. Now it won't boot again.
Maybe the button on the front is faulty? Maybe that's why it's not powering up?
Could be the button although it's rare. You can set the jumper to bypass the power button. Google and find out how to bypass power button. I will try it on my end too when I have some spare time.
K
K
ASKER
I can't find how to bypass the power button. I know you can do this with a jumper on machines with 2-wire connections, but this is a ribbon cable from the front panel and I don't know which pins are what.
Open your server box. on the switch button, you have a connector to MB. Take off the connector, you will see the two pins. If you can connect this two pins (if you have a jumper) or use any metal wire to connect these pins (make sure the power is unplugged while doing this). After connect the pins, you can turn your server on by power cord plugged in. Doing this to determine whether or not the problem is your power button.
K
K
ASKER
Well, it was a long-shot and it seems you were right. I must admit, I've never seen a fault power button either.
So, back to square 1. Any ideas how I can fault find this a bit further?
i can't see any obvious component damage on the board but then I wouldn't always expect to either.
So, back to square 1. Any ideas how I can fault find this a bit further?
i can't see any obvious component damage on the board but then I wouldn't always expect to either.
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ASKER
That's interesting. The lid is off at the moment. I can't remember if it was closed when it booted up earlier on. I'll try it with the lid on.
Dell has LIFETIME Technical support on their PowerEdge servers...This means they will work with you to troubleshoot the issue. they will isolate the cause of the no POST issue. Then you can buy the part (if it is out of warranty) or locate a refurbed part elsewhere.
The LED lights on the system board are for diagnostics. If they are out, (A) No AC power (which it sounds like you do), (B) you have a bad Power Distribution Board (shown below) (about $50 online)
Dell K0226 PowerEdge 2600 Power Distribution Board
Manufacturer: Dell MPN: K0226 SKU: 11824
PE2600-PDB.JPG
The LED lights on the system board are for diagnostics. If they are out, (A) No AC power (which it sounds like you do), (B) you have a bad Power Distribution Board (shown below) (about $50 online)
Dell K0226 PowerEdge 2600 Power Distribution Board
Manufacturer: Dell MPN: K0226 SKU: 11824
PE2600-PDB.JPG
ASKER
I didn't realise that Dell had lifetime support on servers. I'll bear that in mind.
However, this morning the server powered up and has not failed since. Very very strange.
I've even upgraded the RAM without issue. Looks like the CD drive is faulty but I've managed to borrow one from a laptop to get the OS installed and it now runs Server 2003.
The orange light is flashing steadily on the front - why would it do this? What does it mean?
However, this morning the server powered up and has not failed since. Very very strange.
I've even upgraded the RAM without issue. Looks like the CD drive is faulty but I've managed to borrow one from a laptop to get the OS installed and it now runs Server 2003.
The orange light is flashing steadily on the front - why would it do this? What does it mean?
Orange light refers to HW failures. What icon the light is flashing?
K
K
You can check the hardware logs in Open Manage or run a dset report .Downloads under system management. Post it here.
The orange flashing light may also indicate outdate drivers/firmware or a failed hardware.
K
The orange flashing light may also indicate outdate drivers/firmware or a failed hardware.
K
Here is the explanation on what the amber lights mean:
http://www.cs.uwaterloo.ca/~brecht/servers/docs/PowerEdge-2600/en/Pe2600/IT/5j721c20.htm
K
http://www.cs.uwaterloo.ca/~brecht/servers/docs/PowerEdge-2600/en/Pe2600/IT/5j721c20.htm
K
install the Dell Open Manage Server Administrator application.
Choose Custom install to ensure the Storage Management module is set to install (on some older system, this is not installed by default)
This management application will allow you to look at the logs etc. if you see a Caution icon (yellow triangle) keep drilling down till you find the possible culprit.
If you do not see anything, clear the logs. System > Logs Tab on right > clear all three
here is the direct link: ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/sysman/OM_6.1.0_ManNode_A00.exe
Choose Custom install to ensure the Storage Management module is set to install (on some older system, this is not installed by default)
This management application will allow you to look at the logs etc. if you see a Caution icon (yellow triangle) keep drilling down till you find the possible culprit.
If you do not see anything, clear the logs. System > Logs Tab on right > clear all three
here is the direct link: ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/sysman/OM_6.1.0_ManNode_A00.exe
ASKER
I suppose we never got to the bottom of why it didn't boot. However, I would have scrapped it had you not made reference to a server 'having a nap'!
Thanks for everyone's responses.
Thanks for everyone's responses.