R720 iDRAC7 issue. Motherboard replaced, same issue

Question

Recently, I updated BIOS and iDRAC of my PowerEdge R720. Updates has been done via VMWare OMSA and it seems the update failed somewhere. After 3 hours, I had to reboot server manually.

After, I had problems with iDRAC. I always had error on boot, "iDRAC not responding" and fans were running full capacity. And, also, remote control was not working. After couple of research, the only solution appeared to replace motherboard.

As I was unable to find new one, I bought a used one on eBay. (sellers garanty it was removed from working system) And surprise! I have the exact, same issue. At this point, I would like to check that there could be any other cause for this error (more than bricked iDRAC).

I tried to clear vflash of the new motherboard. I removed all devices:

- Network card

- Onboard RAID controller

- PERC 710

and I diconnect SAS drives. Almost all RAM (kept only one dimm for each CPU). At this point, I removed all non-essential devices. I still having the same error after memory check "iDRAC not responding".

I also noticed few behavior: (maybe can be helpfull)

- As soon as I connect power on PSU, server boot. (I cannot let iDRAC boot corectly before starting server)

- And, at first boot (when i connect power) the front LCD power on and become blue. Nothing on it, but it light on. When the server display for the first time "iDRAC not responding". rebooting .. and reboot, the LCD turns off to continue with memory check and iDRAC initialization failure. Also, I can enter to BIOS

- I'm also unable to save BIOS changes.

- On boot sequence, after iDRAC initialisation failed and system start booting, on right, where you can choose options (F2 enter BIOS, etc) it's displayed "Lifecycle Controller Disabled"

So, what can be the issue at this point ?

Thank you,

DELL-Young E · Answer

Hi, it sounds like you have an issue with your iDRAC.

PowerEdge: iDRAC Recovery Procedure with firmimg.d7

SuSummary: In some cases the iDRAC boot partition might become corrupt. iDRAC will fail to boot and server can't be managed by it.

https://dell.to/3pK3dDE

Let’s do this first. (you will need server power cycle)

Janus_006 · Answer

Thanks,

I will give it a try. But, on new motherboard ? As the iDRAC is on the MB, by replacing by a new MB, the iDRAC must be functionnal ? No ? Or something else is a part of iDRAC ?

I really wonder if a part of the case, or RAID card, is involved in the iDRAC component, as they are the only pieces remaining from "old" problem. (CPU and RAM are also the same, but I'm almost sure it's not related to the iDRAC problem)

And, just to confirm, I will use the SD slot in the front ?

DELL-Young E · Answer

Hi, yes on the new motherboard and yes the slot in the front.

Janus_006 · Answer

Hi,

I tried your solution, and .. it worked. But during boot sequence, I saw memory error and an hardware issue (probably a card not inserted corectly). So I shuted donw server.

But after the shutdown, the iDRAC stopped to work again. At power on, I can ear it booting, but still having error "iDRAC unabailable".

I tried the same operation. without success

Shutdown server
Unplug it during one night and remove PSU
On morning, I insert the flash card with firmimg.d7 file and plug PSU
Wait 2 hours
Power On the server
But it does not work

When I connect power, I don't ear iDRAC initialise, is it normal ? (Only when I power on server)

Am I forget a step in the operation ?

It's so frustrating, I'm near of the resolution

DELL-Chris H · Answer

I would recommend that you take the R720 to its Minimum to Post configuration, which is removing everything from the sever but the following;

•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)

Afterwards try the process you tried before.

Would you also confirm the memory error location, if it is on A1 then I would recommend swapping that dimm with a known good for the Minimum to Post test.

Let us know what you see.

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R720 iDRAC7 issue. Motherboard replaced, same issue

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