WMS 2012 falls back in console mode

Hi Jen, 

Do both of these systems have identical graphic adapters? I believe the problem is a hardware or driver conflict for that graphics adapter.  Try to update the driver or you may have to try a different type adapter. 

Here is a reference to a similar problem that you are having.  http://www.edugeek.net/forums/thin-client-virtual-machines/133131-multipoint-server-2012-graphics-cards.html

Let us know if that helps. 

Dear Bo Pham

Thank you very much for your answer. I've read the forum, but it doesn't come with a specific answer. Indeed, I also think that the Matrox video driver is the problem. 

The weird thing is that one of the servers is working perfect. 

The servers are standard Dell servers with the Matrox graphic cards installed. Is there something wrong with these drivers? 

Thanks

Jen 

Hi Jen, 

It may not be the driver itself since it does correct the issue temporarily. There may be something that is interfering with the driver.

Try to update the Chipset below which may improve the communication with the hardware:

http://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER01757764M/3/Intel_C600_X79_Series_Chipset_F00_ZPE.exe

Dear Bo Pham

This morning the server was again in console mode. 

I've installed the new chipset version. The version you've sent me was an older version of the chipset. On the dell website I found a newer version. I've installed that one and reinstalled the graphic drivers. 

It's in station mode again now and I'll come back to you if it stays so. 

Sincerely

Jen

Sounds good Jen. Thanks for the update. 

Dear Bo Pham

Unfortunately after the automatic reboot from the server this night, it went back in console mode. Reïnstalling the graphic driver helped. Any idea?

Sincerely

Jen Kegels

Hi Jen, Please bare with us as we are still looking into the issue.  Thanks for your patience. 

Something further for you to check in the meantime.  

Please see this article: http://www.thirdtier.net/2014/02/solving-multipoint-wont-stay-in-station-mode/.

Have you tried to swap out the cables or try another switch port?  If not, I would like for you try swap the cables either with the good station or with a new cable set altogether.  Trying another port on the switch as separate test also may isolate the problem to a faulty switch port.  

Dear Bo Pham

I currently have two multipoint servers turned on. They are connected each by a NIC team of 3Gb (3 NIC's) I will try and put the UTP cables from the working multipoint into the other one. If the issue then appears on the good Multipoint, the cables were the problem. 

I'll do this on monday next week and keep you up-to-date. 

Thanks for your help!

Sincerely

Jen Kegels

Great Jen, We'll look forward to hearing back from you. 

Dear Bo Pham

Last week it became worse. I wasn't able at all to put the multipoint back in station mode. Removing all clients and unplugging all network interfaces didn't work. With no connection at all, it would still not go into station mode. It took me two days of trial and error, but with no luck. 

I've decided to reinstall the server. Now it's stable in station mode. Even with the automatic restart during the night, it's still in station mode...

For now it's solved, for me, but I suppose there are a lot of other peoples having the same issue. Let this be a good wake up call for Microsoft and Dell to continue on investigating what the cause of this annoying problem could be. 

Let's hope this does not happen a second time...

Sincerely

Jen Kegels

Thanks for sharing the detailed update Jen.  Glad you have it stable for now. Good that have ruled out the hardware and shown that it was corrupt driver issue that appears to be only resolvable by full a OS re-install.  

Dear Bo Phal

Unfortunately, I am encountering exactle the same issue with the second server right now. Even with no clients connected, it:

1: doesn't boot in station mode

Or 2: boots in station mode and falls back in console mode after a few minutes, leaving a red cross at the alerts without any explanation.

I hope you understand I can't reÏnstall a server every week. I also can't advice this system as a good solution for upcoming investments to my boss... Or this is a Big Dell driver issue, or this is an even bigger Microsoft issue... however, this should be solved fast as these delays cost a lot of money...

Is there a Microsoft expert available to help us analyse the problem?

Sincerly

Jen Kegels

Hi Jen, I'm checking with our Microsoft Specialists for a closer examination.  One step i would like to clarify, we had at one point wanted to swap the network cables from the problem server to the good server. It sounded like you decided not to swap them because the server was having an issue even the cables removed, correct? And the problem is now also occurring on the good server even though no cables were swapped?

Please let us know if that is correct as i don't want to get the details mixed up.