Hi Gordon,

This sounds very much like a motherboard failure, but I have a few steps which may help out.

1.  Try reseating the Perc 2/si Raid Key and Raid Dimm. If needed there are some graphics in this document:
Activating the Dell PERC2

2. The only other thing I can think of which would cause this anomaly is the NVRAM is corrupted. We need to clear the NVRAM via the ISA_CLR jumper on the motherboard, then enter the System BIOS and reset to the default settings.

Check the section on System Board Jumpers in the Installation and Troubleshooting Guide:

Once this is complete, reboot the system, enter the System BIOS. Light the 3 keyboard LED's (Caps lock, Num lock and Scroll Lock). Hold the ALT key down and press the E key. The system should beep once. Then hold the ALT key down and press the F key (This will reset all the defaults). You will then need to reset the time, enable the raid controller and disable any unused peripherals (such as serial, usb and printer ports). Then reboot the system.

Thanks Mark for the tips!

I tried everything that you suggested.

Removing an additional NIC and Modem removed the plug n play errors, however the missing RAID firmware is still appearing!

I now also get "Warning: *** Firmware is out of date. please update *****" ( or something like that)

My next step was to completely strip out the system an rebuild it, but that will have to be another day!

Should I now take the hammer to the motherboard?

Hi,

Flashing the System BIOS and ESM Firmware will resolve the "Firmware is out of date" message. I will also include the links for the latest Perc firmware, hopefully the system will accept the flash. If not, the motherboard may have to be replaced.

System BIOS, PowerEdge 2400, A09
FileName:  PE2400-BIOSA09.exe [513 KB]
Release Date:  5/22/2003

Dell ESM Firmware, Multi-System, A51
Filename: a51cust.exe (405 KB)
http://support.dell.com/filelib/format.aspx?ReleaseID=R27673
Note: Extract the files to a DOS bootable floppy disk. Boot the server to this floppy disk, and run smflsh.exe

Adaptec PERC2/Si, Firmware, PowerEdge 2400, v. 2.7.1.3571, A09
Filename: BI357109.exe [911 KB]
http://support.dell.com/filelib/format.aspx?ReleaseID=R46835

Managed to udate the BIOS to A9 OK - still not working.

I tried to update the PERC 2 firmware, but when I ran AFU from the boot floppy, the update program asked me to select which controller to update, but the only available option was select all. When I selected this option and pressed enter I was asked to select a controller!

So it look like the perc2 controller cannot be seen at all. Is the PERC2 card the one that the hard drived slot into? - I have removed, cleaned and reseated that one!

Thanks

Gordon

Hi Gordon,

The Perc 2/si is not a card in this case. The circuitry is built into the motherboard of the PowerEdge 2400. I am afraid the resolution in this case will be to replace the motherboard.

Just to make sure we did not miss something, please call into technical support. It appears the parts warranty on this server is expired, but you have free hardware technical support for the life of the server. They will be happy to walk you through each step and confirm which part(s) is defective.

FYI, the card the hard drives engage with is called the Scsi Backplane.

Thanks

Many thanks Mark.

Gordon