R720xd will not power on with backplane power connected

Hi,

Can you verify based on the removal manual, you only removed No.5 and No.8 in Figure 11. Cabling Diagram—3.5 Iinch (x12) SAS/SATA Backplane—PowerEdge R720xd? https://dell.to/2QKqdDT

Have you tried only connect 1 power cable to the backplane (No.5) and try turning on? I am unsure this would work, but this is to test the error message. Base on our minimum to post components, the backplane is one of the listed component.

Alternative, try these components only listed for minimum to post below, as the error shows it's relating to PS2: Power Supply 2. 

•One Power Supply
•Control Panel (for power button functionality)
•Working cable connection between control panel and system board
•One Processor (CPU) in socket CPU1 (minimum for troubleshooting) 
•One Memory Module (DIMM) installed in socket A1
•System Board
•Backplane (for R720xd)

Also, test if another power cable for PS2.

I should've been more specific. My version of the R720 is the 3.5" LFF version. Based upon the document you linked, I believe that Figure 10 (Removing and Installing the 3.5 Inch (x12) SAS/SATA Backplane—PowerEdge R720xd) is the correct one for this troubleshooting. With that said, in Figure 10, I can verify that I removed No. 5 and No. 8 from the backplane.

I also tried what you suggested and plugged only a single power cable, either No. 5 or No. 8 and the server powers on. It's when both are plugged in that I experience the error.  However it does not appear to deliver power to the drives. No LEDs illuminate, and I get an error message on boot indicating that none of the configurations configured on the RAID card were found and to check my power connections.

I naively assumed that plugging in power to No. 5 would power that half's drives, and No. 8 would power the other half's, so I also ensured that all drives were installed into the bays closest to the plugged-in power cable (e.g. when the No. 5, power cable A, was plugged in, I ensured that the drives were connected to the 6 leftmost bays.)

Regarding your suggestion in the alternative I tried with a single PSU, known good in either slot with new power cables. I also had the control panel, a single CPU in socket CPU1, and a memory module in slot A1. Naturally I left the motherboard installed. The last item, the backplane, is a bit confusing because there are so many individual connections to the backplane. In the figure there are 11 relevant components. When component No. 5 AND No. 8 are plugged in, no post. When neither, one, or the other is plugged in it posts.

Thank you,

-Chris

Hi,

I am still not convinced that 2 R720xd would experience the same issue at the same time. 

Have you tried, just removing PowerSupply2 out from the bay, and power on, with all components in the server? Including all drives and backplane with No.5 and No.8 connected?

Have you tried all components installed, except all drives?

Would you be able to check if there is any dust or residue under the mainboard? 

Oh! and if you have the chance to access iDRAC, export the logs in case you need it, then clear it. Update the iDRAC and BIOS if possible. Also, there is firmware power supply in our support site: https://dell.to/39hcgnl

Hi,

I have experienced exactly the same issue. 2 R720xd servers down together. Tried changing power supplies, motherboard, cpu, ram everything before finding your thread. Unplugging the backplane cable worked and final I can get a boot, thank you for the tip. Previously I had the status and power supply light on amber and couldn’t even power on to get into the bios. Did you find a solution to fix the backplane you had or did you replace for a new one? 

Hi @CooperC @TheMisterPants ,

Having the exact same issue as you guys, hoping you eventually found a fix you could share for this?

Have even replaced Mothboard, Backplane, PSUs and all cables as well..

Hello NicSSM,

Maybe they can share their results.

I wouldn't want to assume your issue is exactly like any other.  If you could describe your issue and any troubleshooting steps you have completed and results we may be able to assist you.

Initially if it will not power on I'd recommend bring it down to minimum to post components.

The minimum components to allow the Dell PowerEdge R720XD to complete POST are as follows:

One Power Supply

Control Panel (for power button functionality)

Working cable connection between control panel and system board

One Processor (CPU) in socket CPU1 (minimum for troubleshooting)

One Memory Module (DIMM) installed in socket A1

System Board

Backplane (for R720xd control panel connection)

Remove anything not on that list: DVD, Hard drives, PERC controller, backplane, network card, NIC cable, any pcie cards, keyboard, mouse, USB devices, ….  anything not on the list remove.

If it does not post then the issue is with one of those components.

If you get successful POST, put things back a little at a time until you find the faulting component.

Hello,

I've run into a problem where 3 of my dell r720 servers won't turn on, and when I unplugged one of the two power supply  of the backplane it boots just fine.

I've also tried putting these servers in minimal configuration but I still won't turn on.

Is there any solution to this issue.

Thank you..

Hello, I think the same as suggested under this topic if those troubleshooting steps have been tried. please try flea power drain. Then try again POST. If issue continue try to swap PSU each other. If the problem persists then please try to make firmware update when it complete POST. In iDRAC, system logs and clear all the previous logs. Try to update iDRAC LCC, BIOS, PSU, BCKPL.

to power drain 

1. Power the server down.  
2. Disconnect server from all power cables, Network cables. 
3. Hold down the power button continuously for at least 10 seconds.  
4. Insert power cabless and network cables back to the system.  
5. Wait about 2 minutes before powering on server to give the iDRAC time to initialize. 
6. Power the system on. 

VLT0204 related article https://dell.to/3dimOLa.

New backplane or unplug one of the cables to the backplane as a temp fix.

New backplane fixed it for me not too expensive from eBay, I think I paid £20. Removing one of the cables from the backplane also works as a quick workaround subject to how many hard drives you require.

I'm afraid worst case scenario we could be looking at motherboard replacement. But before that, how are things looking through the IDRAC?

Hi everybody. 06 APR 2024.

I have just bought 18X HUS724020ALS640 drives for my TrueNAS pool.

I started testing each one inside Ubuntu live cd. I have plugged 8 drives (backplane 0 to 7 slot), and when i hot-plugged 9th drive (in backplane slot 8) R720XD shutdown unexpectedly.

After that, it wont start up again. But when I remove 1 backplane power connector, it starts.

I think im going to buy a new 12x 3,5 backplane.

What did you do to solve this problem ?

Hello, we would love to hear what you see after trying the new backplane!

Respectfully,