PowerEdge 500SC Stops Booting...

Question

I have an older PowerEdge 500SC (BIOS Revision A04) that has stopped booting. I shut the machine down this morning and tried to re-start it; all it does is sits at the DELL splash screen, with the progress bar at approx. 45%. If I wait long enough (like an hour!) the progress bar will eventually get to approx. 50%, but that's it. I can hit any of the function keys (F2, F10, F12) and the screen shows that it is attempting to enter the section associated with the selected function key, but nothing changes - it won't enter setup, it won't enter Utility Mode, and it won't attempt a PXE boot.

Any ideas as to what has happened and how to fix it?

Thanks in advance.

Rob

nevans8993 · Answer

Hi there,   Just read your thread and i am having exactly the same problem with my PowerEdge 1400SC with BIOS revision A07. Have you manged to sort your problem since posting your thread on the 9th Jan???   Many thanks in advance.   Kind Regards NEvans8993

nevans8993 · Answer

Hi there,   Many thanks for getting back to me. Glad you semi got your issue sorted out.   Quick Question. Does the POST screen come before the splash screen??   Many thanks NEvans8993

rjones0604 · Answer

I'm working from home today, so I can't get to the server to verify. I believe that I have the machine configured to not do a memory test nor show the POST screen - all I remember seeing is the Dell splash screen, which shows the enabled function keys (F2, etc) in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.

Rob

rjones0604 · Answer

My problem turned out to be 'operator error'. I was attempting to use a USB-based keyboard/mouse combo with the server and could not get the machine to 'see' a USB keyboard/mouse when booting. During all the confusion of swapping keyboard cables, looking for a BIOS setting to enable a USB keyboard/mouse, I had managed to leave the USB cable plugged into the machine at the same time as the old PS/2 keyboard. The POST didn't report any problems with this arrangement, but it sure didn't like it! That was the cause of the slowdown.

I still do not know how to get the server to recognized the USB keyboard/mouse when they are the only devices plugged in, so I'm resorting to using cable converters to continue using the PS/2 ports but have them plug into the USB keyboard/mouse.

I doubt this will help you, but who knows?

Rob

nevans8993 · Answer

Not to worry then. Answered my question anyway.   Many thanks once again.   Kind Regards NEvans8993

PowerEdge Hardware General

PowerEdge 500SC Stops Booting...

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