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Pointerguy
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March 15th, 2025 21:59
Server unable to boot
A small business asked me to take a look at their server, it had an error saying that the CMOS battery needed to be replaced. The server is a Dell Poweredge T320 with Windows Server 2012. We were able to shut the server down and unplugged. Then the CMOS battery was replaced, we started the server back up. Now it is getting the error message PXE-E53: No boot file name received. PXE-MOF: Exiting Broadcom PXE ROM. No boot device available. Current boot mode is set to BIOS. Please ensure compatible bootable media is available. I have checked the BIOS setup, it currently is set to boot from the hard drive. The hard drive sequence starts at PORT A and then PORT B. Both have 500 GB which the server recognizes and did a hardware check, everything came back great. So I know it isn’t the hard drives. However, I know replacing the CMOS battery and lose the BIOS settings. Unfortunately, I was not the one you originally installed this server or set it up. Is there anything I am missing or check something else out? Please help. This has put the business at a standstill since they are not able to access the program from the server or the database.
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Posted March 16th, 2025 00:53
Verify if the Server has a PERC for the RAID. Because of the dead or replaced battery the Server is back to system defaults and you should configure it back to "RAID" and maybe also "UEFI". Dont be afraid that RAID config is lost or so... it isnt, because RAID config is stored within the PERC and on the DISKS.
Its the BIOS which lost all settings because of the CMOS battery.
Regards,
Joerg
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Posted March 16th, 2025 12:04
@Origin3k can you explain to me how to tell if it has a raid controller? From checking the box I saw no RAID battery so I assumed the box was not raided. I did notice the SATA settings were set to AHCI currently, and I was wondering if it should technically be set to RAID but I'm worried about the potential data lost with switching it as the small business has really important information there. I'm unsure if they have anything backed up and they have no clue either. I was brought into this issue recently and their past IT guy retired so I'm trying to catch myself up and help them out.
Let me know next steps. Thanks!
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Posted March 16th, 2025 12:21
For embedded SATA there are two options within the BIOS
AHCI == somekind of Passthrough
RAID == It enables the S1x0 (software raid controller)
If your Poweredge is equiped with a real PERC H7xx or H3xx(no Cache/Battery) that there is a third way.
Just take a look into the the server inventory or use the service tag and visit dell.com/support to find out how the server leave the factory.
So... Embedded SATA (AHCI/RAID), BIOS/UEFI and Bootorder needs to be reconfigure.
I assume that the previous configuration doesnt use AHCI because thats the system default and because it will currently no booting it must be a different configuration.
If youre unsure and have no backup you should call Dell support.
Regards,
Joerg
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Posted March 16th, 2025 12:49
@Origin3k can you tell me how to get to server inventory from the BIOS settings? I've tried looking up the service tag but I can't find any information. I believe their old IT person built this server themselves and I don't know how to restore to its custom settings since I don't know what those were.
The business doesn't want to pay for Dell support hence why I am here and trying to figure out a way to do this just so we can get the server back up.
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Posted March 16th, 2025 12:52
- dell.com/support
- Enter your STAG in the middle search field
- on right there is "systemconfiguration"
Regards,
Joerg
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Posted March 16th, 2025 12:54
Checking the configuration that the box was sent from factory, it shows two specs regarding the RAID not sure if that helps?0
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Posted March 16th, 2025 12:57
You havent post the complete output but i see "S110". So reconfigure Embedded SATA form AHCI to RAID and see whats happend.
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Posted March 16th, 2025 13:02
Not sure what you mean by complete output? Do you believe that data will be lost? It would be very unfortunate they lose this program and data.
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Posted March 16th, 2025 13:29
I am refferring to the screenshot.
Origin3k
6 Operator
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2421 Posts
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Posted March 17th, 2025 14:39
Based on the systemconfiguration there was a preconfigured RAID1 delivered. Because its Pre-Virtualization Time in the old days a disk was often created with a logical partition for creating create a c:\ and d:\
Change that Embedded SATA settings from ACHI to RAID and see if its booting.
Regards,
Joerg