Initializing. This may take several minutes to complete................... [NEVER ENDS]

If there is no data on the array, then I would first re-run 'reset'.   Where there any failing drives?   The battery cache issue won't prevent setup from running.   But it might be a failed drive didn't get reset but came back online and the array is reading a piece of the old configuration on that drive.

This isn't part of another group correct?   It was a single member group?

Being that it says the battery is not completely charged I would recommend to leave it turned on as it can take about 24 hours to ensure the battery is fully charged and then try and run the setup command and see if that error message goes away.

This is one I have come to own, it was stored unit with no history, I've left it on all day today and I'll try again with it tonight. I'm hoping leaving it will ave meant it finished it's Initializing,

Where is the database stored, is it the flash on the controller, if so might that be duff?

*Yes*  sent via phone sorry for typo

Yea reset will erase disks

So here is the process I've been through  it's stuck  at part 5 of the diag, anyone knoe what part that is;

re resetting an array that is a member of a group,

it is recommended that you delete the member from the

group.

Reset this array to factory defaults? [n/DeleteAllMyDataNow] DeleteAllMyDataNow

Resetting system, this will take a few minutes.

Deleting backup password files

Deleting agent.cnf

Zeroing drives, nvram and rebooting the system

#########################################################

#                                                       #

#       EqualLogic (R), Inc. storage array              #

#               Copyright 2001-2006                     #

#        70-0011 Rev=R33 SN=B030066 ECO=C00             #

#                                                       #

#########################################################

           -- Type Ctrl-p key to enter setup mode --

BOOTROM version 3.3.1

Build Date: Wed Sep 27 01:29:14 EDT 2006

Total memory: 0x40000000 bytes (1024MB)

NP Loading ...Done

SP Loading ...Done

Dell, Inc. Storage Array

Copyright 2001-2010 Dell, Inc.

SP:37.25:psarcp.c:428:INFO:28.2.4:Executing as active control module in slot 0.

SP:1358282152.16:emm.c:1193:INFO:28.2.6:Enclosure serial number: B030289.

SP:1358282154.96:emm.c:1843:WARNING:28.3.51:Warning health conditions currently exist.

       Correct these conditions before they affect array operation.

       Control modules are initializing. Control module failover cannot occur until the initialization completes.

       There are 1 outstanding health conditions. Correct these conditions before they affect array operation.

MFS set up

Building databases...

SP:1358282159.80:emm.c:2127:INFO:28.2.30:Control modules have completed initializing, and failover is now operational.

Tue Jan 15 15:36:01 EST 2013

Jan 15 15:36:01 init: kernel security level changed from 0 to 1

PS Series Storage Arrays

Unauthorized Access Prohibited

login: grpadmin

Password:

          Welcome to Group Manager

       Copyright 2001-2010 Dell, Inc.

netmgtd:1358282171.21:rcc_util.c:705:INFO:25.2.9:CLI: Login to account grpadmin succeeded.

It appears that the storage array has not been configured.

Would you like to configure the array now ? (y/n) :emotion-45:y

               Group Manager Setup Utility

SP:1358282175.86:cache_driver.cc:1002:INFO:28.2.39:Active control module cache set to write-back mode.

The setup utility establishes the initial network and storage

configuration for a storage array and then configures the array

as a member of a new or existing group of arrays.

   For help, enter a question mark (?) at a prompt.

  Do you want to proceed (yes | no ) [no]: yes

Initializing.  This may take several minutes to complete.MgmtExec:1358282187.15:IoManager.cc:446:ERROR:7.4.1:No valid storage pool found.

..................

  *** Database is not functional. The setup utility has failed.

      Please try again.

The storage array is still initializing.  Limited commands will be available unt

il the initialization is complete. Please try again later.

CLI> diag

% Error - couldn't retrieve email notification configuration

The diag command will gather configuration data from this array

for support and troubleshooting purposes.  No user information will be

included in this data.

E-mail notification is not available, so you must retrieve the results

by using the "text capture" feature of your terminal emulator

or Telnet program.

You will be given information to help you do this at the end of this procedure.

Finally, please remember to include your Dell Technical Support case or incident number

in the subject line of any e-mail that you send to Dell Support.  This will help

ensure that the message is routed correctly.

Do you wish to proceed (y/n) :emotion-21:: y

Starting data collection on Tue Jan 15 15:40:18 EST 2013.

Section 1 of 15: .

Finished in 0 seconds

Section 2 of 15: .........0.........0......

Finished in 11 seconds

Section 3 of 15: .....

Finished in 1 seconds

Section 4 of 15: .........0......

Finished in 2 seconds

Section 5 of 15: .........0..

But I do get some response without a disk in??? but then when I insert two disks which I have wiped and created a single partition, the same????

login: grpadmin

Password:

          Welcome to Group Manager

       Copyright 2001-2010 Dell, Inc.

netmgtd:1358288355.35:rcc_util.c:705:INFO:25.2.9:CLI: Login to account grpadmin succeeded.

It appears that the storage array has not been configured.

Would you like to configure the array now ? (y/n) :emotion-45:y

               Group Manager Setup Utility

SP:1358288359.75:cache_driver.cc:1002:INFO:28.2.39:Active control module cache set to write-back mode.

The setup utility establishes the initial network and storage

configuration for a storage array and then configures the array

as a member of a new or existing group of arrays.

   For help, enter a question mark (?) at a prompt.

  Do you want to proceed (yes | no ) [no]: yes

  *** Cannot create mini RAID set: No devices.

      Setup has failed. Please contact customer support.

The storage array is still initializing.  Limited commands will be available unt

il the initialization is complete. Please try again later.

CLI> setup

               Group Manager Setup Utility

The setup utility establishes the initial network and storage

configuration for a storage array and then configures the array

as a member of a new or existing group of arrays.

   For help, enter a question mark (?) at a prompt.

  Do you want to proceed (yes | no ) [no]: yes

  *** Cannot create mini RAID set: No devices.

      Setup has failed. Please contact customer support.

CLI> 70:2:MgmtExec:15-Jan-2013 17:20:09.370003:emdEcd.cc:107:INFO:7.2.0:Disk 0 has been inserted.

73:4:MgmtExec:15-Jan-2013 17:20:20.410005:emdEcd.cc:107:INFO:7.2.0:Disk 1 has been inserted.

75:45:SP:15-Jan-2013 17:20:22.220046:pclass.c:9259:INFO:32.2.11:Found and verified new drive: enclosure 0, disk 0, Model WDC WD5002ABYS-02B1B0, SN      WD-WCASYC284907.

76:46:SP:15-Jan-2013 17:20:22.220047:init.c:2555:INFO:13.2.0:Disk 0 is online.

77:47:SP:15-Jan-2013 17:20:22.230048:events.c:90:DIAG:13.6.0:Spare disk drive 0 added.

CLI> 79:49:SP:15-Jan-2013 17:20:33.210050:pclass.c:9259:INFO:32.2.11:Found and verified new drive: enclosure 0, disk 1, Model WDC WD5002ABYS-02B1B0, SN      WD-WCASYC579706.

80:50:SP:15-Jan-2013 17:20:33.210051:init.c:2555:INFO:13.2.0:Disk 1 is online.

81:51:SP:15-Jan-2013 17:20:33.220052:events.c:90:DIAG:13.6.0:Spare disk drive 1 added.

CLI> setup

               Group Manager Setup Utility

The setup utility establishes the initial network and storage

configuration for a storage array and then configures the array

as a member of a new or existing group of arrays.

   For help, enter a question mark (?) at a prompt.

  Do you want to proceed (yes | no ) [no]: yes

Initializing.  This may take several minutes to complete.92:15:MgmtExec:15-Jan-2013 17:20:55.990016:IoManager.cc:446:ERROR:7.4.1:No valid storage pool found.

....

How many disks do you have installed?   The smallest configuration possible is half populated. So seven drives on a PSx00 series array.

Are these Dell/EQL drives or just some off the shelf disks?

There's no point running diag on an unconfigured array.  Many of the commands it runs will never work.  

Ahhh I see, right I was using 2 disks to try and create a small test array, I'll drop 7 in, they are off the shelf, I may buy Dell after testing it, do that all have to be the same size/make/model?

Since you're using off shelf drives, they should be same FW, size, etc... You'll be in uncharted waters since they're not certified drives.   The array will set the RAIDset to the lowest common denominator size of the disks.   You won't be able to buy drives for this legacy array.   It was EOS years ago, and will be EOL this coming April

Yes you were correct, more disks and it all works fine, a good system, the only issue I have is the java app keeps going blank, is this something anyone has seen before? I can hit enter on the ip address in the address bar again and it works again for a bit then does the same thing.

What version of EQL FW, java version and what browser?