R610 problems

Well I didn't understand some of your post, but if the display panel is having issues, it can be two things - the panel itself or the iDRAC, which feeds the information to the display panel.  If you have replaced the display panel (and especially if you are getting an error with the iDRAC), then the iDRAC is having an issue.  If you have the addin iDRAC Enterprise, reseat it.  If you are still able to boot to the OS, update the BIOS/iDRAC.  Otherwise, call Dell Technical Support - you will likely need a replacement motherboard.

I am also having the same problem with PET410. I am not using either IDRAC6 Express nor IDRAC6 Enterprise.

When server starts it gives message at POST “Alert! iDRAC6 not responding. Rebooting.” And then system reboots and on 2nd POST it gives message “Alert! iDRAC6 not responding. Power required may exceed PSU wattage. Alert! Continuing system boot accepts the risk that system may power down without warning.” And system boots normally into OS except its diagnostic LED is off. I also could not find the Ctrl+E menu to enter IDRAC6 utility at POST.

More I could not see the BMC and power supply, temprature etc in the OMSA as well.

I take the following Corrective actions to resolve the issue but in vain.

·         Remove AC power to the system for 60 seconds and restart the system.

·         Try the minimum configuration but result remains the same.

·         Updated the bios to latest version.

Replace Motherboard of R610 solve all problems

with Regds

David

Oman

I'm having the same problem.    R610.   We initially were getting messages in Dell Svr Admin indicating that the powersupplies were periodicaly shutting down and restarting.   Replaced both power supplies.   Then we recieved additional error messages about power issues and system auto-rebooted on us.

Then replaced system board.   Now the system is hanigng on the Idra6 (express) which we don't use.   It hangs and takes about 10 minutes before it shows idrag6 communication failure, and reboots again.   I then get a choice of F1 to continue (alert! power required may exceed psu wattage!) or F2 to run setup.

Dell wanted to replace the idra6.   the power message concerns me on this?

Any comments?   thanks  

Jim Tonkinson

City of Rochester

Same problem on 3 brand new R710 servers with iDRAC 6 express. I am confident this error is due to buggy iDRAC firmware (currently on latest version - 1.54). The problem seems to occur whenever I make a change to the IDRAC settings. I don't use the iDRAC so when I get the server, I disable iDRAC LAN, turn off  IPv4 and disable system services. But this change triggers the error (if not on first reboot, several reboots later the error occurs). So far, what seems to work

1) Unplug power for ~60secs

2) Boot and go into iDRAC BIOS

3) Reset IDRAC to defaults

4) Reflash the latest IDRAC firmware

5) Go back into iDRAC BIOS and disable everything again

Seems that this works but I am not confident the error will not resurface. If, after I perform these steps, I go back into iDRAC BIOS and change settings, the error eventually comes back and I have to repeat the same steps yet again (really annoying).

On 2 of my R710s,right before the IDRAC communication errors,  I have noticed that sometimes the fans spin out of control randomly. Resting/reflashing IDRAC fixes the fan problem. I am currently in contact with Dell and am trying to convince them that there is a serious bug with their IDARC firmware. So my recommendation until Dell fixes firmware: Reset/Reflash iDARC, make desired setting changes, then never go back into IDRAC. So far this has worked for me.

Dell has finally confirmed the issue is related to buggy idrac firmware (1.54). The problem occurs when you disable idrac LAN. So if you're on 1.54, don't disable idrac LAN. Instead, what I do is disable ipv4 & ipv6 and disable idrac users. Updated firmware is expected to be released this month (March 2011).

This issue can be fixed with the current iDrac6 firmware patch and is not a hardware error.

You will however need to contact Dell's technical support to assist as it is very hard to get the iDrac6 to boot properly once it has started having this problem.

I am experiencing the same problem reported with my R710 server.  It started following a four hour power outage which resulted in the server shutting down (gracefully)

Now, whenever it cold-starts this POST message appears:

“Alert! iDRAC6 not responding. Rebooting.”

It then reboots and the next time round displays “Alert! iDRAC6 not responding. Power required may exceed PSU wattage. Alert!" Choosing F1 at this point results in the O/S loading successfully but the fans sound like they are permanently on full.

I have attempted the following:

1. Powered down the unit, removed power cables and held in power switch for 60 seconds before reconnecting all and switching on again. This made no difference whatsoever.

2. Installing the latest (v1.85) iDrac6 firmware. Unfortunately this failed too with the error message "This Update Package is not compatible with you system configuration."  I assume that the system has disabled some or all of the iDrac6 services, hence the firmware update program cannot detect iDrac6 at all?

Can anyone give me a lead on what to do next please?

replace the motherboard. It bit the big one.