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30739
May 3rd, 2015 14:00
PE 2850 LSI / RAID controller problem
Dear everyone,
I would like to ask You for a an advice - recently i bought, what it seemed to be a working PowerEdge 2850 server.
Since I've never got into working with Dell servers, I've learned trough YT videos that my server should give me at least Ctrl+M menu in order to access Configuration Utility of RAID controller - but I does not ... Only option I get is Ctrl+E which gives me nothing ... So I skipped the settings and went directly for OS installation.
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I tried installing all sorts of OS to it (2003 / 2008 / 2012), but even though I've provided correct drivers on Floppy / USB thumb drive - OS reported there is no space on the destination HDD or it can not be initialized (please see attached image).
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I even called the guy I bought it from, and he told me that he updated all the firmwares before he sold the server - and that he also finds strange that there is no regular Ctrl+M shortcut.
He told me that he remembers one firmware update utility with a blue GUI that asked him something about HDD controller and RAID before updating - but he does not recall which one is it :(
Please advise.
Thank You all!
theflash1932
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May 3rd, 2015 22:00
IF the RAID hardware is installed, you must also ENABLE RAID in the BIOS - Integrated Devices, Embedded RAID, set both channels to RAID Enabled.
RAID On the MotherBoard (ROMB) is enabled with three pieces of hardware: RAID memory DIMM, RAID battery, and RAID key. If these devices are not present, you CANNOT use RAID on the system. There is a "backplane" driver required if you use the system in non-RAID/SCSI mode.
Which OS do you want to install?
theflash1932
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May 4th, 2015 12:00
If RAID is not an option, that means that the RAID components are not present. IF the RAID components (ALL THREE - battery, memory, key) are in the system, then they are not functioning (it may also mean the riser board is not working).
You can install an OS without it, but if you want to try to get RAID working, you can try: power off and unplug, remove RAID battery, remove RAID memory, remove RAID key, remove riser board, insert riser board, insert RAID key, insert RAID memory, insert RAID battery. power on and boot to BIOS to see if you have the option to enable RAID. If not, you will need to replace hardware, starting with the riser board and RAID key.
If you want to try to install in SCSI mode, use this driver:
http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=KTK5F
nexus.so
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May 4th, 2015 12:00
The thing is ... when i get to BIOS there is no more RAID as an option to pick ... only Disabled or SCSI ... that is the problem unfortunately - even though there is a RAID key clearly marked on the chassis and beneath it a key plugged into the motherboard ....
I would like to install at least Windows 2008. and then if everything goes well update firmwares and update to Win 2012.
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Thank you all for helping and sharing your knowledge with me!
I am just desperate to get this one running - but in my country is very hard to get any kind of information about Dell hardware, especially enterprise equipment such as servers - since HP is most commonly used brand around here ...
theflash1932
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May 4th, 2015 15:00
There is no need to do anything with the drives in SCSI mode prior to installing the OS.
nexus.so
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May 4th, 2015 15:00
Most certainly will do SCSI!
RAID is not a high priority for me at moment (but it might be in the future) - so Ill give SCSI a try with the driver you provided.
Only one thing - should I do some kind of activation / initiation of a SCSI HDD - currently it is being connected from A plug on the primary back-plane to a raiser board A SCSI plug?
Thank you once more, for your kind assistance. Ill post a reply as soon as I give SCSI a try ... (one / two days).
nexus.so
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May 8th, 2015 13:00
Unfortunately ... After giving it a try in SCSI mode, there was no luck into getting Win installation into "seeing" the HDD available space.
Still getting the notification "LSI Logic Corp. MPT boot ROM, no support devices found!" at POST, and 0.00 Gb at installation of the OS.
I even tried changing SCSI IDs with the jumpers on the HDD itself, and that gave no results either - so I tried moving the HDD to the other bays ... nothing.
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I am feeling hopeless now :/ ... I dont know where is the LSI / RAID controller located - onto the raiser board or ... ? Would there be any change if I bought another third-party SCSI controller card and inserted it into a PCI express slot of the raiser card to get around the backplane / LSI / RAID integrated controller?
theflash1932
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16.3K Posts
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May 8th, 2015 16:00
Did you try loading the driver I gave you the link for in my first post? Download and run the file BEFORE putting it on a USB drive, then click the Load Driver link and browse to it.
Even if you put in another controller, you would have to use the backplane. It is unlikely a backplane or controller issue.