If the USB stick doesnt work on one controller just put it into the other one. Using 2 USB sticks is also a solution
For sure you can login into on serial with the bypass of the password protection. But changing the password is only possible within DSM(at least i dont know how to do it on comanndline)
Reseting a compellent can be do on different ways.... wiping the exising configuration (purging) or re-imaging the system.
Neither the RIGHT image nor the needed license for running a Compellent are public available. Remember... each compellent needs a license which is bind to given a HSN/SSN + STAG and most of the models are licensed per # of Disks.
I currently only have 1 controller. If I am understanding you correctly that the USB with the unlock.phy file containing one line of text: unlock Admin, and that the drive is formatted with FAT32 file type. Then plugging in the USB and booting the controller. Connecting to the serial port and the CLI login I should be able to login with "Admin" and "anythingtyped" as long as the password is not left blank? is that correct?
I dont think this helps because Idrac is on a separate part of the system but I was able to reset the IDRAC and I do have root access to that structure.
Its correct but there is "no need" for rebooting the controller. This "USB" thing also works with a up and running Compellent. The OS take notices when USB is plugged in and look for the hardcoded filename and the instruction within that file.
Iam 400km away from my Compellent books but iam sure that the iDRAC isnt needed at first. Iam pretty sure that the OS output is redirected to the serial port. Just hook up a serial with 115200/8/1/n and press enter key a couple of time.
The iDRAC is needed when it comes to re-imaging which i have to perform once in my lifetime during a DIP(Data Inplace Upgrade). I never setup a Compellent with just one controller. There are certain commands like "join" which can only be performed when the second CM is there and have a proper configuration. I dont think that this is possible.
I guess you SC9000 SCOS was not workable now. You can log into the system with safemode account and check the controller status. if all of the component initialize sucessful, then you can unlock the admin with the method you mentioned.
To reset the Admin password on a Dell SC9000, create a FAT32 USB stick with a file named unlock.phy containing the line:
unlock Admin
Insert the USB into the controller, connect via serial console, and log in using Admin with any password (not blank). This bypass works without rebooting
All good now. The issue was that both SC9000 controllers hadn’t fully booted, so the login prompt wasn’t ready yet. Once boot is complete, it should display “Storage Center login.”
The reason it wasn’t completing boot (and the prompt wasn’t showing) was the missing IPC heartbeat cable between the two controllers.
Origin3k
4 Operator
•
2.4K Posts
0
October 31st, 2022 03:00
Reseting a compellent can be do on different ways.... wiping the exising configuration (purging) or re-imaging the system.
Neither the RIGHT image nor the needed license for running a Compellent are public available. Remember... each compellent needs a license which is bind to given a HSN/SSN + STAG and most of the models are licensed per # of Disks.
Regards,
Joerg
sc9000nerd
2 Intern
•
38 Posts
0
October 31st, 2022 07:00
I currently only have 1 controller. If I am understanding you correctly that the USB with the unlock.phy file containing one line of text: unlock Admin, and that the drive is formatted with FAT32 file type. Then plugging in the USB and booting the controller. Connecting to the serial port and the CLI login I should be able to login with "Admin" and "anythingtyped" as long as the password is not left blank? is that correct?
I dont think this helps because Idrac is on a separate part of the system but I was able to reset the IDRAC and I do have root access to that structure.
Origin3k
4 Operator
•
2.4K Posts
0
October 31st, 2022 07:00
Its correct but there is "no need" for rebooting the controller. This "USB" thing also works with a up and running Compellent. The OS take notices when USB is plugged in and look for the hardcoded filename and the instruction within that file.
Iam 400km away from my Compellent books but iam sure that the iDRAC isnt needed at first. Iam pretty sure that the OS output is redirected to the serial port. Just hook up a serial with 115200/8/1/n and press enter key a couple of time.
The iDRAC is needed when it comes to re-imaging which i have to perform once in my lifetime during a DIP(Data Inplace Upgrade).
I never setup a Compellent with just one controller. There are certain commands like "join" which can only be performed when the second CM is there and have a proper configuration. I dont think that this is possible.
Regards,
Joerg
tianchou
2 Intern
•
107 Posts
0
November 25th, 2022 23:00
I guess you SC9000 SCOS was not workable now. You can log into the system with safemode account and check the controller status. if all of the component initialize sucessful, then you can unlock the admin with the method you mentioned.
sc9000nerd
2 Intern
•
38 Posts
0
November 29th, 2022 11:00
Would you happen to know what the safemode password is? and how to force boot into safemode?
tianchou
2 Intern
•
107 Posts
0
January 1st, 2023 19:00
I can help you by remote session if you needed. contact with me,
felixpx
1 Rookie
•
3 Posts
0
February 28th, 2026 01:00
Hi, I need help to reset password on Dell SC9000 (out of warranty), please advise how to do this?
Thank you.
DELL-Erman O
Moderator
•
3K Posts
1
March 2nd, 2026 11:17
Hi ,
Please check those links below:
SC9000 factory reset | DELL Technologies
Out of warranty Dell Compellent sc9000 : r/storage
To reset the Admin password on a Dell SC9000, create a FAT32 USB stick with a file named unlock.phy containing the line:
Insert the USB into the controller, connect via serial console, and log in using Admin with any password (not blank). This bypass works without rebooting
felixpx
1 Rookie
•
3 Posts
0
March 2nd, 2026 23:05
Hi,
I followed your instructions exactly, but I still can’t log in through the serial console. Here’s what I did:
-Formatted the USB drive as FAT32
- Created a file named unlock.phy containing:
unlock Admin
-Connected to the IOIO port using a console cable
From the console, I tried logging in with username Admin and a random password
However, it still prompts for a password and does not allow access.
Do you have any additional suggestions? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.
DELL-Joey C
Moderator
•
4.1K Posts
1
March 3rd, 2026 07:40
Hi,
Have you tried the login with Admin but without any password, just press Enter. You do not need to type any password.
felixpx
1 Rookie
•
3 Posts
0
March 3rd, 2026 14:09
Hi @DELL-Erman O
All good now. The issue was that both SC9000 controllers hadn’t fully booted, so the login prompt wasn’t ready yet. Once boot is complete, it should display “Storage Center login.”
The reason it wasn’t completing boot (and the prompt wasn’t showing) was the missing IPC heartbeat cable between the two controllers.
Much appreciated your help!