T420 Lifecycle controller disabled

Question

I have a T420 on Xerox BIOS 1.5.1 I was planning to replace the CPU's , and in doing so I needed to Update the BIOS, I have used a USB and booted into dos and installed the latest BIOS 2.9.0 then realized I should have stepped up the updates. Rolled back the BIOS thinking I would be back to 1.5.1 but I am now on 2.0.22. I cannot boot from USB device, enter bios menu or boot setup. IDRAC still connects and is on version 1.51.51 (Build 01) I cannot update IDRAC as when I try to upload any files I get below error message.

"OSD35: Lifecycle Controller is not enabled. To enable Lifecycle Controller, reboot the server. During POST, press F2 to enter System Setup. Go to IDRAC Settings -> Lifecycle Controller, select enable, and save the changes. "

I cannot enter bios menu or boot setup

DELL-Joey C · Accepted Answer

Hi @Jservers,

Let's bring the server to minimum to POST components, remove all components except the list below, then try accessing to the BIOS.

System Board
CPU1 with heat sink (minimum for troubleshooting)
Single DIMM configuration with DIMM in socket A1
Control Panel with cable (to power system on)
PSU (and for redundant PSU also the PDB/PIB)

If it works, one of the components which was removed is not working on the server. Install the components back one by one to check the issue. If it doesn't work, if iDRAC is accessible, try reseting the iDRAC by referring to this link, preferrable a hard reset: https://dell.to/3AZDKxD

DELL-Chris H · Answer

Jservers,

You may have an issue, but lets see what we can do first.

What I would start with is powering down the server, remove the power cables, hold the power button down for 20 seconds to drain the flea power. After that then open the cover and locate the NVCLR jumper, as seen below, once located then move the jumper over, restore power cables, power the server and clear the NVRam, once completed power back down, remove cables, and then restore the jumper to its original location. Now once you have completed those then reinstall the power cables, but don't power the server for at least a couple minutes, this gives the idrac time to initialize before the server starts up. Once it powers see if you can access the BIOS, or iDrac/LCC.

Let me know what you see.

Jservers · Answer

Hi Chris

I have followed the instructions and the screen remains black on powering on, I am using the DVI connection on the GPU which was working before. should I be using the VGA connection on the iDRAC?

I still can access iDRAC GUI via another computer. with the same error message OSD35 if i try and upload a file to the update section.

Previously it would show the server posting and when pressing F2 or F11 it would say entering BIOS /BIOS boot menu but would just hang on a black screen.

Jservers · Answer

Hi Joey

Thank you very much It has worked, I am able to POST and get into the BIOS and BOOT Menu, I have managed to enable the Lifecycle Controller. before I do anything further is there a Correct order of operations to update BIOS, Firmware iDRAC etc. to the latest versions ?

DELL-Chris H · Answer

Jservers,

That order is correct, but seeing that you already jumped ahead on the bios I would start with walking the iDrac up to a version close to the release date of the bios version you installed, then start walking them together to current.

Let us know how it goes.

DELL-Chris H · Answer

Sorry for the delay, great to hear.   Let us know how it goes and when you get it up to date.

Jservers · Answer

I have extracted the files from iDRAC7__1.57.57__A00.exe and used firmimg.d7. update successful I will continue to walk up both the bios and iDRAC. Thank you very much for all of your help.

Jservers · Answer

Hi Chris, When I upload the iDRAC7__1.57.57__A00.exe file the status shows package extraction failed.

PowerEdge Hardware General

T420 Lifecycle controller disabled

Was this post helpful?