SBS 4.5 to SBS 2003 Upgrade

Hi,

The problem here is the Perc II is not supported by Microsoft in Windows Small Business Server 2003. I have heard of good results using the Win2000 driver for the Perc II when installing Windows Server 2003, but I have heard nothing regarding Small Business Server 2003.

Note: The CDrom should be connected to the Adaptec AIC-7860 controller embedded on the motherboard of the PowerEdge 4300. It should not be connected to the Perc II. You "should" be able to boot to the CDrom, assuming the System BIOS has not been modified to prevent this behavoir.

To reset to the System BIOS to the default settings, you need to clear the NVRAM via the ISA_CLR jumper on the motherboard.

Check the section on System Board Jumpers in the Installation and Troubleshooting Guide:
http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/scham/html/en/it/jumpers.htm#table1

Once this is complete, enter the System BIOS. Light the 3 keyboard LED's (Caps lock, Num lock and Scroll Lock). Hold the ALT key down and press the E key. The system should beep once. Then hold the ALT key down and press the F key. Then reboot the system.

I would also reccomend the latest System Upgrades for the PowerEdge 4300 and the Perc II:

System BIOS: Dell PowerEdge 4300,  A12
FileName:  PE4300-BIOSA12.exe [513 KB]
Release Date:  4/29/2003
http://support.dell.com/FileLib/Format.aspx?ReleaseID=R57946

Dell ESM Firmware, Multi System, A42
Filename: a42cust.exe (397 KB)
http://support.dell.com/filelib/format.aspx?ReleaseID=R14563
Note: Extract the files to a DOS bootable floppy disk. Boot the server to this floppy disk, and run smflsh.exe.

Perc II - Firmware, v. U84/C81, A02
File Name:  PERCU84.exe

(AMI) PERC II, 2/SC, 2/DC, Driver, Win2000, v. 2.68, A03
Filename: W2k268A.exe (47 KB)
http://support.dell.com/filelib/format.aspx?ReleaseID=R25714

Mark,

What I failed to mention about this is that I purchased this equipment used and all I had installed was the firmware for the bios and SCSI Raid. 

Service Tag: H0H5X
Service Code: 28575717

The machine is not the original configuration and instead of having an AMI SCSI Raid it has Adaptec Perc2.

I have successfully installed SBS 2003 Premium but have not finished because now I want to install all the Dell Firmware, Drivers, Apps, and Utilities.  I have only created one 6GB container and will create the other container using the FAST utility (# 6 in list below).  All I have installed now are, I believe, the following (messages displayed while booting in this order) -

• Phoenix ROM BIOS V 1.10 A12
• ESM firmware revision 5.16
• System backplane firmware revision 5.22
• Power supply paralleling board firmware revision 2.34
• SCSI BIOS not installed
• Dell PowerEdge Expandable RAID Controller 2, BIOS V 2.5-0 [Build 3073]
• Adaptec AIC 7890 SCSI BIOS V 2.01
• Adaptec AIC 7860 SCSI BIOS V 2.01

I think I need to install the following in this order?

6. SCSI RAID: Adaptec PERC2, , PERC2/Si, , PERC3/Si, , PERC3/Di, Windows 2000, Windows NT 4.0, English, Multi System, v.2.7.1.3564, A11
9/10/2002
a11ntapp.exe

Do I have the correct steps and software? 

FYI, for item 4 on the list, when I go to Device Manager in the Server Control Panel, double click PERC 2 RAID Contoller, and click the Driver Tab, the current driver information lists Version 5.2.3790.0 from Microsoft Corporation dated 10/1/2002.  Was this driver installed off of the Windows Small Business Server 2003 CD ROM?  Should I install the driver listed in 4 above?  Is the information being reported by the Driver Tab correct?

I have invested considerable time and think the above is correct.  I think the Dell OpenManage Server Agent will help me install some of the others and may keep me out of trouble?  I am going to try this very soon and I guess if something is really wrong with my plan I'll just have to start over! 

Thanks for all your help.

Greg

Hi Greg,

I will modify the order slightly and change two filenames. Overall you have the process laid out properly.

1. System BIOS A12 is already installed, but it will not hurt to reapply. I always recommend upgrading the System BIOS and ESM Firmware at the same time.

2. The ESM is currently at version A38, upgrade to A42.

3. Install the Perc driver at this point. Yes the Dell driver is older than the Microsoft driver, but the Dell drivewr is required for compatibility with the Dell OpenManage products.

4. Install the Perc Firmware.

5. Server Agent. The file you mention is old and has been replaced by Server Administrator. Version 1.4 is the latest which supports the PowerEdge 4300 and Win2003.

Dell OpenManage Server Administrator, 2000, 2003, v.1.4, A03
FileName:  om34_win_managed_system_A03.exe [137 MB]
Release Date:  6/2/2003
http://support.dell.com/FileLib/Format.aspx?ReleaseID=R61476

Server Administrator Documentation:
http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/software/svradmin/1.4/en/index.htm

6. The FAST management application (a11ntapp.exe) is not compatible with Win2003. We recommend the Dell OpenManage Array Manager instead. Unfortunately, Array Manager must be patched for complete compatibility with Win2003.

Dell OpenManage Array Manager 3.4.1, NW, 2000, 2003, v.3.4.1.532.5, A01
FileName:  m3415325.exe [37 MB]
Release Date:  11/24/2003
http://support.dell.com/filelib/format.aspx?releaseid=R68917

Array Manager, SNMP Patch, NW, Windows, v.3.2.x, 3.3.x and 3.4.x, A00
FileName:  snmpfx.exe [95 KB]
Release Date:  4/11/2003
http://support.dell.com/FileLib/Format.aspx?ReleaseID=R58475

Array Manager Documentation:
http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/software/smarrman/marb34/en/index.htm

Dell OpenManage Array Manager, Patch, Windows Server 2003, English, v.4.71.2, A00
FileName:  aspi_471a2.exe [510 KB]
Release Date:  8/5/2003
http://support.dell.com/FileLib/Format.aspx?ReleaseID=R64269

Custom Instructions for aspi_471a2.exe:

This file extracts by default to the c:\adaptec\aspi directory. If you have changed this directory, please note the directory you have chosen.
1. Reboot the Server to "Safe Mode"
2. Open a Command Prompt window by typing "cmd.exe".
3. Browse to the folder that contains the extracted files.
4. Type in "install XP32"

Let me know if you have other questions.

Mark,

I have downloaded all the new files you listed WITH THE EXCEPTION OF - Dell OpenManage Array Manager, Patch, Windows Server 2003, English, v.4.71.2, A00.  When I try to go to that file I get -

The file you are attempting to locate is no longer available.

We may be in the process of updating or replacing the file.

Has the file been pulled by Dell and can you e-mail it to me?

Thanks,
Greg

Hi Greg,

I did some research and it appears this patch is only required if Certification Authority (CA) Certificate Services are started in Win2003. If you are using the services, the patch can still be downloaded directly from Adaptec:

http://www.adaptec.com/worldwide/support/driverdetail.html?sess=no&language=English+US&cat=/Product/ASPI-4.70&filekey=aspi_471a2.exe

Mark,

I plan to use Verisign Certificate of Authority in the future so unless you see a reason why I shouldn't I will apply the patch now. 

Thank you for all your help.
Greg

Mark,

While doing the ESM Firmware, A42, update I received the following -

Microsoft(R) Windows DOS
(C)Copyright Microsoft Corp 1990-2001.

C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1>cd\dell\esm

C:\DELL\ESM>smflshnt

Embedded Server Management image update program. Revision: A4.03.
Image data: Format version= 1.2, Firmware version= A42.
                                Current Firmware      Image Firmware
                                         Version      Version
Product: PowerEdge 4300
   Embedded Server Management.....(F Part)  5.16       5.24
   ...............................(S Part)             5.24
   System Backplane.......................  5.22       5.39
   Power Supply Paralleling Board.(F Part)  2.34       2.37
   ...............................(S Part)             2.37

'Embedded Server Management':
Erasing 'Embedded Server Management'
Flashing 'Embedded Server Management'
Restarting 'Embedded Server Management'

'System Backplane':
Changing ESM configuration
Erasing 'System Backplane'
Flashing 'System Backplane'
Restarting 'System Backplane'
Changing ESM configuration

'Power Supply Paralleling Board':
Changing ESM configuration
Erasing 'Power Supply Paralleling Board'
Flashing 'Power Supply Paralleling Board'
Completed 10%
Firmware update failed.

Erasing 'Power Supply Paralleling Board'
Errors in flashing
     Error erasing 'Power Supply Paralleling Board'
Restarting 'Embedded Server Management' firmware
   Completed successfully
                                Current Firmware      Image Firmware
                                         Version      Version
Product: PowerEdge 4300
   Embedded Server Management.....(F Part)  5.24       5.24
   ...............................(S Part)             5.24

Embedded Server Management image update is not completed.

C:\DELL\ESM>

Any ideas?

Greg

Hi Greg,

Apparently you ran the program from the NT 4.0 DOS command window. I do not recommend this as it has several prerequisites.

I recommend flashing the ESM while booted to a DOS diskette. You then run the program SMFLSH.exe (not smflshNT.exe)

Yes, I tried that.  I can boot to a DOS prompt but cannot access the hard drive.  I believe this is a requisite, that the boot disk is available to apply the Firmware upgrade, per the instructions which state "change to the directory where the utility program files are saved."  But I have no C drive and that is where the program files are saved.  I tried everything yesterday to create a boot disk that would give me access to the C drive using an article from the MS KB, but finally gave up and ran from the W2003 DOS command window.  I gather my system is not unstable because I saw some comment regarding uninstalling firmware and then when the install failed am afraid to reboot the computer?

Greg

Mark,

I am finished with all software and bios upgrades, thanks for all your help.  I have one problem though and you may want to research this.  After installing either -

1) Dell OpenManage Server Administrator, 2000, 2003, v.1.4, A03
FileName:  om34_win_managed_system_A03.exe [137 MB]
Release Date:  6/2/2003

-OR-

2) Dell OpenManage Array Manager 3.4.1, NW, 2000, 2003, v.3.4.1.532.5, A01
FileName:  m3415325.exe [37 MB]
Release Date:  11/24/2003

and I am not sure which, intermittently when the server is REBOOTED it would seem, and then not every time, MS Windows SBS 2003 will stop at a BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH STOP screen.  The screen states something like "windows is halting to avoid damage to your system.... DPC routine.... STOP 0X000000B8 (OXF772.... -OR- (OX85.... DUMPING MEMORY TO DISK", then the system restarts just fine.  This has occurred approximately 4 times and only when restarting AND it does not occur with all restarts.  Each time after logging back in, W2003 asks me to document what happened but I cannot find where those MS event log entries are stored.  If I could locate my comments, I could tell you for certain which of the two softwares above are causing this behavior.  Also, the memory dump should be stored in a file named MEMORY.DMP per the MS KB, but I searched my hard drive and could not locate that either.  If you could tell me where I might locate these I would be happy to forward them to you and they might assist you with the debugging.

But the server seems to work fine other than that.  I thought you might want to look into this with Microsoft.  This behavior could be some kind of conflict between MS Small Business Server 2003 and Dell's software.  I checked the MS knowledge base searching on 0X000000B8 and could not find anything on point but did find some similar items that involved loading a device driver at the wrong time in a boot sequence.  Once again, it appears this problem is only on a REBOOT so that should narrow it.

Thank and if you hear anything let know.

Greg

Grandazzo,

I cannot tell you how elated I am in a purely selfish way that I am not the only one having this problem.  I am getting the same STOP errors, only on some reboots, and for a random number of reboots and then it starts working again.  I have tried disabling services, but I am unable to pin down which service it is.  The differences in our scenario are that the 2 servers that I have experienceing this are both Windows Server 2003 Standard, with Exchange 2003 (one standard, one advanced), and both only DC's in their respective domains.  One is a 2400 and the other is a 2750.  It is driving me nuts!  As a former MS employee I had my buddies do some internal KB searches, but to no avail.  We believe the problem to have to do with the following set of circumstances: Single Domain Controller, Dell Software, Windows 2003, Exchange 2003, and Symantec Anti Virus Corporate.  Maybe you can eliminate the S=ymantec.  Are you running SAV?

David Harr
Network Administrator
UNIVISION Radio

I to am having problems with the error code 000000b8 on a new Dell PE2650 Windows Server 2003.  Although mine is not an Exchange Server.  The server was installed in November 2003 and Dell OpenManage was installed then too, but I've only had this error in the past 2 or 3 weeks--3 times now.  I and running SAV Corporate, and when I read about your problems, I decided to uninstall OpenManage as it is not essential.  I am reluctant to uninstall SAV unless the problem gets more serious.

Well, to both you and Dave,

I do not have Symantec running so we can eliminate that. 

I have not uninstalled any software because it seems harmless.  Perhaps Dell can open a trouble ticket on this and get with MS to resolve?  I am happy to assist in that process.

Greg R

I installed SBS 2003 in November 2003 on a PE2650. The server crashed on reboot recently and then auto-restarted 14 times before staying up. I am running Dell OpenManage 3.6.0 and Dell OpenManage Array Manager 3.4.1 plus Symantec AV Corporate Edition.

The event log error string was:

Reason Code: 0x805000f

Bug ID: Bugcheck String: 0x000000b8 (0x858ada98, 0x80579d00, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)

Comment: 0x000000b8 (0x858ada98, 0x80579d00, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)

This looks like the problem you have been experiencing. Has uninstalling Dell OpenManage solved the problem?

Message Edited by spoff on 02-13-2004 03:43 PM