PercRAID Adapter Error

Question

I am running into an error when I boot up our PowerEdge 4400 server.  During the post, after the line Adaptec AIC 7880 Bios version 25701, I am getting the following error message:   PercRAID Adapter Cache Memory Error Please check SDRAM connection   I pulled up the manual to the server and I am trying to see what SDRAM connection the error is speaking of?  I reseated all the DIMM slots on the motherboard and I still get the error.  Has anyone seen this error before during POST?  Hopefully someone can help point me in the right direction.

JA96621 · Answer

The system memory is not the RAID memory.

It is a different type of memory.

It has it's own DIMM -- unbuffered, 100 MHZ+, not registered memory like the system memory.

Try a different DIMM.

Has the system been working?

Did you attempt to upgrade the cache memory?

Need at least BIOS A03 for 128MB of cache memory and at least 256 of system memory.

If 64MB of cache memory, need at least 128 of system memory.

Also check to be sure firmware is current.

When you go into setup do you have the option on the second page is the Onboard RAID option displayed?

If not and it shows Primary SCSI then the RAID controller is not detected.

Be sure correct key and correct RAID memory DIMM are installed and seated correctly.

If the RAID was working you might even try disconnecting the RAID battery and rebooting to see if you get the same message during POST. If not, then shut down, reconnect the battery & restart.

BenJ78 · Answer

I have the same problem. Funny thing is that there is no SDRAM in that RAID memory slot, no RAID battery, and no RAID key. I'm wondering if they forgot to install that or send it with the server seperately. Emailed my rep, hopefully that's just the case. First time using Dell servers. Ryan, could you post up your fix when you get it resolved? Thanks.

JA96621 · Answer

Do you have a RAID controller expansion card?

The 7880 shouldn't have anything to do with RAID. It is for CDROMs, etc.

In the BIOS do you have the onboard RAID enabled for channel A? Since you have no key or ROMB this should be either OFF or SCSI enabled.

The same goes for channel B?

Both should probably be SCSI.

BenJ78 · Answer

I don't know who you're replying to, but I'll tell you what I have.   PE2800   I ordered it with the PERC 4/DC raid controller. In the BIOS both Channels are set to SCSI. No other options are available.

JA96621 · Answer

The PERC 4/DC is an actual RAID controller card.

The options mentioned are only available with the integrated on the motherboard RAID controller.

You don't have it so you will not have a RAID option listed in setup under integrated devices.

BenJ78 · Answer

Thx. After digging around in the system I noticed that. I took the riser out, reseated the PCI raid card, it's cache memory, and the riser itself. I'm still getting that error. Prolly have a bad cache chip. I'm going to call Dell support and see what else I can do.

ryangreen23 · Answer

I first tried reseating the PERC card in the PCI slot on the motherboard as well as reseat the Memory stick that sits in the card.  Both actions did not help fix the problem so I pulled up the downloads page for the PE4400 and looks at flashing the bios and firmware on the box.  I upgraded the backplate firmware and upgraded the server's BIOS and both went successfully.    I decided to try upgrading the PercRAID firmware off the download site for the PE4400.  As soon as I run the upgrade for the firmware, I get the following error:   'Firmware is corrupted on once adapter, would you like to repair the firmware.'   I selected yes and the .rom file is downloaded onto the Adapter.  About 30 seconds later, the following message appears:   'Firmware Flash Failed on Adapter: Status = 10'   I think I just need to replace the PERC adapter that resides in my server since I can't even upgrade the firmware on the card.

BenJ78 · Answer

I called tech support, and they sent me a new perc raid adapter. Swapped them and the system works now. I thinking the cache was bad. I guess I could've spend the extra time and kept the original adapter in there and swapped the cache, but I was wanting to get it fixed w/o messing around a lot.

PowerEdge HDD/SCSI/RAID

PercRAID Adapter Error

Was this post helpful?