2950 Hanging on Boot

How long have you let it sit at the CTRL-R screen?  Give it up to 5 minutes.  If that still doesn't work, power off, unplug the server, hold the power button down for about 10 seconds, plug in, power on and see if it still gets stuck. Was this server assembled using spare parts or is this its original configuration?

Your boot menu will no longer work after installing an OS without the Dell installation utility.

It is important to clarify:  does it get to/stop at CTRL-R (RAID setup), CTRL-S (probably the network boot setup), or does it get to CTRL-E (BMC setup)?  And it does NOT stop with an F1/F2 prompt or allow you to enter F2 BIOS Setup, right?

You might try clearing the NVRAM using the jumpers on the motherboard (power off, move jumper to CLR pins, power on as far as it will go (you should see a message about the jumper being in place), replace jumper, boot up again). 

You might also try removing the drives to see if it boots past CTRL-R.

Hi TheFlash1932,

Thanks for your reply and the suggestions.

I tried leaving it on the bootup screen for over 5 minutes, also tried holding power button down while plugging in. The fans ramp up as the server powers up, still not getting past the "1 Logical Drive(s) handled by BIOS" line in the start up.

The server is in it's original configuration, it's been in service for a number of years without issue until my attempted upgrade from Win Serv 2003 r2, to Win Serv 2008 r2

I did find that I mis-spoke in my original post and it will let me get to the Ctrl-S configuration page (in addition to Ctrl-R), I can add a screenshot of the config page if it will help. However, still not able to get to the boot menu (F11), or other menus (F2, F10, F12) regardless how long I wait.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you,

AA

"I was not aware that I needed a Dell Installation Utility to install the OS."

It "can" simplify the installation of an OS, but you don't "need" it.  However, the boot menu and the utility partition will not work unless the installation utility is used, which installs relevant boot code and partitions for them.

If it hangs with the drives but not without, then one of the drives is bad, the virtual disk is corrupt (rare to stop POST), or the controller/backplane is bad (also rare). 

First, I would boot to CTRL-R and delete the virtual disk (array) ... if it still hangs, I would systematically remove drives to find the problematic drive.

OK... with the drives removed it does get past the Ctrl-R and then goes on to the CTRL-E and then the F1/F2 prompts.

And I'm now able to get to the boot menu.

Just to be clear, previously the boot sequence would stop at the CTRL-R.

I was not aware that I needed a Dell Installation Utility to install the OS.

What should I do now to repair this botched installation?

I'lll try that.

Could you provide a link to the Dell Installation Utility?

Thanks!

support.dell.com seems to be having issues right now - it routes me to the FTP site for downloads, which does not have a link for SMTD, so you can keep your eyes open for it:  the DVD utility is called Systems Management Tools and Documentation.  (Again, it is not necessary and will not likely fix the issue you are having, but it can be a helpful utility ... I only ever use it for Server 2003, which means I NEVER use it anymore :).)

Now i'm getting confused. Assuming one of the drives is bad and I determine which one.

Won't I then need to install the Installation Utility so that I can reinstall Win Server 2008 on the two remaining drives?

Like I said, the installation utility "can" be helpful:

It will walk you through RAID setup, OS partition and options, install all needed drivers during the installation, install the utility partition (diagnostics), install the boot menu options, and install the OpenManage software.

However, it is NOT necessary to use it:

You can boot to CTRL-R to configure/initialize RAID, boot directly to the OS DVD to install Windows, then install all the drivers and OpenManage software after the install completes.

Hi, 

i had same problem as you ! 

Here is my solution :) You can translate my blog to en with google translator in sidebar :) 

http://tomaskalabis.com/wordpress/dell-poweredge-server-virtual-drives-handled-bios-11912-sel-full/