Critical Server Error

Clearing the logs will change the LCD to blue and remove the error. But I suspect the error may appear again at a later stage. Were there any errors indicating a particular CPU? If not, it may require a replacement MB at some stage.

See how it runs, and if the problems persist then log a call with Dell.

Hi Snapohead,

Thanks for your reply.

Do you know what that error actually means? What is PERR? Some sort of pairty error?

The strange thing is that the server has been working perfectly fine since the incident.  Not sure what could have caused it.  I'm worried because its an important server.

I'm using PERC raid controller (RAID1 on sys drives, RAID10 on data drives) - if I pull those drives and put them into an identical PE2950 will the raid still work? (does the info get written to the RAID drives or does the controller have to move with them?)

Thanks

Yes, it's a parity error with the CPU bus. Although, I'm not sure what would cause this. It may well be a one off (hopefully). The config is written to both the disks and controller, so swapping to an identical system will work.

You'll need to import the config from the disks though, as it will be detected as foreign.

Phainlen,

Think you may be on to something.  The server it happened to me on is also running Virtual Server 2005 R2 !!! 

Hmm.... Any Dell support people here know whats going on?

I am also getting the "CPU Bus PERR" on my 1950 servers.  The strange thing is that it is only happening on servers that I am running Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 R2 on.  This error has happened on three different 1950 servers so far for me (all running MVS 2005 R2).  We had the motherboard replaced on one of them through Dell support and two weeks later the same issue came up.  We then replaced the entire server with a new 1950.  Two weeks later, the same issue happened again.

I am also having this problem when running OpenVZ on my PE2950.

Interesting thought about the PERC.  We are booting from the SAN so we aren't even using the PERC.  Given that info, I would almost eliminate the storage side as a potential issue since we are both having the same issue with different types of storage.

The crashing box is

The non crashing box with datacenter is

Do you know what BIOS revision is on each box? I will be working on our 2950 hopefully today, I did read somewhere on another Dell forum to try turning on the virtualization option under the advanced screen and then under processor. I will be trying that today.

So glad I found this thread.

Here's my situation.

I have the following

• Dell PowerEdge 2950, 10 GB RAM, Perc 5 RAID, Windows 2003 x64 Enterprise, Virtual Server R2 x64

• Dell PowerEdge 2950, 24 GB RAM, Perc 5 RAID, Windows 2003 x64 Datacenter, Virtual Server R2 x64

• Dell PowerEdge 2950, 28 GB RAM, Perc 6 RAID, Windows 2003 x64 Datacenter, Virtual Server R2 x64

Oh, the other difference is the processors.

OKAY, so the first 2 boxes ran great. For  months. Box number 3 I just received, set it up, running great for 2 weeks, and BAM. CPU BUS PERR E1420 on the front LCD. The thing was turned off when I got into work. Powered it on, no entries in the windows event logs. and Dell ESM showed that error.

I called DELL, they said maybe a misseated CPU. I wasn't happy, since the machine ran fine.. so they said replace processors, and I didnt' want to replace them because the box was new, they sent me a new box.

rebuilt the new box, 2 days later, SAME issue but this time the machine actually rebooted. We are confused. The only thing that stayed the same was the RAM. So we ran a MEM test, all passed. Now what?

Spoke to Dell again, and then I found this post as I was talking to level 3 support. The tech said he has a few documented cases like this, and virtual server seemed to be common. But it is running fine on my other boxes, so I was thinking okay it's the PERC, or it's the processor architecture. the machine has been running okay for a few days now. They don't know why this error occurs. but it really has me in a bind.

If anyone finds anything out, let me know. I will DEFINITELY keep you all posted on progress.

no i totally agree. What about your CPUS? What OS are you running? 32bit 64 bit?

I think it's virtual server trying to access something out of processor range..

HI GUYS! I'm so glad I started this thread - now I know I'm not going crazy!

I got two 2950's back in November and they've been running fine.  Last week I had the error happen on one of them and it just shut off.  Since then, it hasn't happened again but I'm freaked that it may as its a production machine.

I'm running

-Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise

-Virtual Server 2005 R2 32bit

-8GB RAM

-PERC RAID CONTROLLER:

     -RAID 1: 2x36GB SAS (OS DRIVE)

     -RAID 10: 4x300GB SAS (DATA DRIVE)

I will keep everybody updated on any progress I have - hope you all will do the same. 

Cool I'm running 64bit, so that eliminates the 32 bit 64 bit being the problem.Also eliminates the storage as the other guy is using  a SAN.

I think now we should discuss the processors themselves. Steppings etc.

I have dual quad core 3.0 Ghz Intel Xeons.  I'm beginning to agree with the theory that MS Virtual Server is the problem.

My Servers are Windows Standard 2003 R2 SP2 x64.