T430 Firmware update issue

Question

I have a Dell PowerEdge T430 server with Windows 2012 Server R2 system. Its firmwares haven't been updated since 2015 (It was set up).

I recently wanted to upgrade the machine by using Esxi 6.7 to install multiple VMs, and adding GPU-RTX 3090.

1. GPU couldn't be recognized. So I updated BIOS (2.16) and iDRAC (2.80.80.80). Unfortunately it doesn't solve the problem. Does anyone have GPU installation experience on T430 or similar machines?

2. I tried to install Esxi 6.7 on Dual SD (vFlash). But the installer couldn't find SD cards. I searched the problem and found "Storage_Firmware_640KW_WN64_1.12_A03" (and two early versions(1.7 and 1.11)) firmware to solve the problem. However, when I used iDRAC to update firmware (upload firmware from local), it reports "Unable to complete the firmware update operation because the specified firmware image is for a component that is not in the target system inventory." I can see two SD were in place and can be initialised. In my T430 product specs, it also shows the SD. I wonder what the target system inventory is? Any firmware is incompatible like BIOS(2.16) and iDRAC (2.80.80.80)? Which firmware version should I use? BTW, I upgaded BIOS and iDRAC with a couple of early major versions to get the latest version.

3. I upgraded some other firmwares as well. Some of them I got same issues: "Unable to complete the firmware update operation because the specified firmware image is for a component that is not in the target system inventory."

Many thanks

DELL-Erman O · Answer

Hi, as I know this warning most likely can occur for two reasons. One is when the firmware is significantly updated. The other is when the BIOS version is ahead of the iDRAC version. But I'm confused a bit about your BIOS and iDRAC isn't seemed old. Please delete the SEL log. If iDRAC FW is not up to date, update to the latest version here https://dell.to/3ellwcz
Make sure your SD cards are the same and have enough free space. If necessary, format your SD card as in the above message when you have backups. please take a look at this thread: Internal Dual SD Module SD2 is offline - Dell Community

Regarding the GPU, the RTX series is not supported. This may not mean that it will not work at all, but I think that's why there are problems. For example here one of our users shared his experience with a GTX card https://dell.to/3V8QDzd

There is no official GPU support for the T430. Maybe you can consult the sales team, I couldn't find a list with the tools I have.

haolle · Answer

@Dell-ErmanO Thanks Erman.

I am confused as well. I have upgraded BIOS and iDRAC to latest version, and deleted SEL log. It still doesn't work. I might need to downgrade them to a suitable version.

When I initially installed GPU on the mother board (with very old BIOS and iDRAC (2015 version)), it showed GPU device although the monitor doesn't work. After I upgraded the BIOS and iDRAC, the GPU device is not listed anymore.

Any (step) advice to downgrade BIOS and iDRAC?

haolle · Answer

Hi Chris, Thanks for your reply. I completely understand the situation. I will try out some versions. If I found the solution, I will share it here. Thanks again.

DELL-Chris H · Answer

Haolle,

As Erman stated previously, the T430 doesn't support using GPU, along with the GPU not being of a supported type, we can't guarantee that it will work. On a side note, for most of the Poweredge servers a GPU can only be used to add processing power, and they don't support their use for subverting the embedded video. Lastly, to answer your update question, you can backflash both the BIOS and iDrac from the update and rollback tab in the idrac. You can use the exe version of the BIOS, and with the iDrac you would extract the firmimg.d# from the update package, and use it on the iDrac update page.

Hope this helps.

PowerEdge Hardware General

T430 Firmware update issue

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