ESXi Dell 2950 Crash - Purple Screen

Sjnapl,

The error is stating there is a Single Bit error causing the Cyclic Redundancy Check to fail. Lets verify some things to eliminate some other possibilities. To start, what is the part number on the dimms you have installed in the server? Also, what is the BIOS and ESM/Drac revisions currently at? Are they up to date and current?  I ask as the BIOS being really out of date can cause this issue as well and I wanted to be sure to eliminate those variables.

Let me know.

Hello Chris,

I have not installed new RAM.  This is the original RAM that came with the server when ordered.  So, I do not know the serial number.  The service tag may reveal the RAM part number

The BIOS (v2.3.1) has not been updated for several years but if that is than why hasn't it occurred earlier than now. We have 5 of the same server and some are at the same BIOS and have not generated this error.

Stan

Stan,

If you would, could you Private Message me the svc tag please, so that I may verify the dimms installed?

Also, your BIOS is behind and also prior to a Urgent flagged BIOS update. With the other servers there are multiple variables that can cause them not to error. Even with the hardware installed. So I couldn't tell you why this specific 2950 errored when another didn't. Keeping the servers current is the way to minimize this happening on them though. The BIOS is update to correct issues reported and discovered, so when you keep them behind they are more susceptible to errors than updated systems are.

Thanks. Let me know the svc tag.

Stan, 

Thank you for the PM. Everything checks out. Would you 

BIOS 2.7.0 (Current) - 

http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=16RCK&fileId=3000127368&osCode=WS8R2&productCode=poweredge-2950&languageCode=EN&categoryId=BI

BIOS 2.6.1 - http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=MMXX4&fileId=3000127368&osCode=WS8R2&productCode=poweredge-2950&categoryId=BI

Walk them up and once updated then reseat the dimms and see if error remains. If so then remove all the dimms except Slots 1 and 2 and then test the dimms in pairs in 1 and 2 and see if error repeats on any of the dimms. 

ok,

What is the purpose of 2.6.1 if i can go to 2.7.0?

Stan

So you can walk them up to current. When the controller is multiple updates back it is a good practice to walk them up and not just jump to current. 

Chris,

ESXi 4.1 is running on the server,,

I dis not see an option to upgrade a BIOS for ESXi

Stan

Thats correct, with ESXi there isn't currently a upgrade package to run withn the OS. The update will have to be run outside of the OS. You can boot to the 32bit Diags and then exit to the command prompt and from there run the Unpackaged version of the updates above to update the BIOS. You can find the 32bit diag link below.

32bit Diagnostics - http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/04/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=Y6D93&fileId=2731107576&osCode=WS8R2&productCode=poweredge-2950&languageCode=EN&categoryId=DI

ok,

What about using the Dell Repository Manager to build a bootable CD?

Stan

The Repository Mgr is a solution, but you would need to boot to the Build and Update Utility to be able to run the repository update from. I don't believe you can make the ISO for the Repository bootable itself.