Dell PE 1900 can not detect HDD

Boot to the CTRL-R menu for your RAID controller, hit CTRL-N to go to the PD MGMT tab ... do any drives show as Foreign?  Do you have a Foreign Config tab?  What are the firmware versions listed in the CTRL MGMT tab?

If any drives are showing as Foreign, you need to Import that foreign config on the VD MGMT page (F2).

If you need someone to walk through this with you, call Dell ... support is always free, regardless of warranty status.

yes
there is one hdd Foreign and i am downloading the latest firmware now to update.
please tell me what is Foreign  and tell me how to solve this issue.
regards

The RAID configuration is stored on both the RAID controller and each drive, so when a drive goes offline - for whatever reason - it is marked as Foreign.  You must either clear the foreign configuration or import it.  If you only have one of three drives online and one foreign, then you must import it.

Before updating the firmware ... what is your firmware currently at??  You may not need to update it first.

When you're ready to import it, go to the VD MGMT tab, highlight the controller (at the top), then hit Enter or F2, go to Foreign Config, and Import.  If it fails, then you may need to update the firmware.

i will check and i will back to you

Dear PowerEdgeTech:,
i tried to import forign but it`s gave me error unknown,
i checked ctrl mgmt it`s perc 5/i fw 1.03.40.0316
but i didnot found hd fw.
now my download finish what is you suggest.
regards

You need a minimum firmware level of 5.1.1.0040 to be able to Import Foreign Configurations ... you have 5.1.1.0067, so you don't need to update your firmware ... meaning, recovering this is not going to be a simple task - and may not end up being successful.

You specified Pacific Time Zone, from which I would assume you are in the States ... call Dell for a personal walk-through to resolve this - it's free (800) 822-8965.

If not, I can try and help you here, but I need to know something first:

Do you have a backup of the data on this server?

Anything we attempt beyond importing the configuration can complicate recovery, so if you do not have a backup and MUST recover this data and the import does not work (as importing will not cause any additional harm), then you need to look into professional data recovery before going any further.

i have backup from 2 weeks and some body told i can clear foriegn is this true.
regards

You only have two options with a foreign configuration:

Clear:  Only used for single-disk failures.
Import:  Only used for multi-disk failures.

All clearing the foreign config will do is erase the config from that drive, then you won't have any "safe" recovery options left.  But, then again, if you can't import the config, then you're out of "safe" options anyway.  Either way, clearing will get you no where.

ok thanks
you offered you can help me to import would you please begine with me and also give me link to firmwaer because after i download the dvd its for system build and update, so i need you to help me to import and regarding my firmware i gave you 1.03.40.0316
 and you told me i dont have to upgrade the firmware.
i am waiting for your help because i am in Saudi arabia not usa and all my users did not work they are waiting me.
regards

You really only have four options:

1.  You can try updating the firmware, although it probably won't change anything, as the controller is already at a level that should be able to deal with foreign configurations.

2.  Try a retag.  To do this, you will need to delete the Virtual Disk (RAID 5), and recreate it exactly as it was without initializing.

3.  Delete it, recreate, and restore from backup.

4.  If your 2-week-old backup isn't acceptable, then send the drive off for professional data recovery or try a do-it-yourself recovery using something like Runtime.org's RAID Reconstructor to recover the data.

In the States, support is free ... I would call your local Dell Technical Support to see what your options are there.  It is MUCH easier to do this over the phone with a real person.

The System Build and Update Utility is only the first utility you need to update it ... you also need to download the Server Updates DVD (this is very large) ... or you can use the Floppy version if you have a floppy drive (onboard or USB).

i download system build and update would you please give me the ling for files to upgrade the firmware

i cannot download only the firmwaer for controller and hdd ?

thank you very much

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