Hi Tarbouif,

To recover from the failed bios flash, remove the cables from the motherboard to the backplane. Remove and reseat all the cables form the motherboard to the Power Supply Paralleling Backplane (PSPB).

Download the files again, in case the original was corrupt.
*** BIOS: Dell Server System BIOS, PowerEdge 4400, A08
Filename: B2200T08.exe (455 KB)
http://support.dell.com/us/en/filelib/download/index.asp?fileid=R32691
*** Dell ESM Firmware, PowerEdge 4400, 6400, 6450, A46
Filename: a46cust.exe (397 KB)
http://support.dell.com/us/en/filelib/download/index.asp?fileid=r21529

Reflash the A08 bios with the backplane still detached. Reattach the backplane, reflash again to A08. Then flash the ESM Firmware to A46

Message Edited by DELL-Mark A on 06-19-2003 08:16 AM

Mark,

I had the same problem as Tarbuif, only my computer is a PowerEdge 6300.

I updated the Bios to A12 (B9660E12.exe) and then tried to update the ESM firmware to A42 (a42cust.exe) which failed part way through. I was getting the message that the "system backplane is not present" and "power supply are not present", but the computer still booted up fine. I tried to re-flash with smflsh.exe, but the program couldn't find the backplane or the power supply.

I followed your directions and removed the cables from the motherboard to the backplane and reseated the power supply cables. I turned the computer back on and I got the following:

          Embedded server management firmware revision 5.24

          System backplane is not present

          Power supply paralleling board firmware revision 0.0

          !!***** Warning: Firmware is out-of-date, please update... *****

          Warning: Only one power supply is active

          Hot-Plug PCI controller firmware revision 0.5

          !!***** Warning: Firmware is out-of-date, please update... *****

Then the system hangs and I cannot even ctl-alt-delete.

I have tried rebooting with the isa-clr jumper on, removing all PCI cards, reseating the processors and memory, using only one processor at a time, unplugging the power cables and taking out the BIOS battery, disconnected the mouse, disconnected the keyboard, disconnected the cd-rom, disconnected the floppy drive, tried with and without the backplane connected, and still the system just hangs. I cannot even boot off of a floppy.

My service code is UBTQZ and I have started a case which is number 31034061.

The people in tech support think I need a new system board, but everything was working fine before trying to update the firmware.

I need to get this server up and running quick. Please help.

Btwells

PS there are other people with the same problem without an answer:

I have a PowerEdge 4300/400. After upgrading the BIOS to the latest level, I received the normal-out of date messages for the ESM components. After I applied the latest ESM, the ESM came up fine, as well as the back pane. BUT the power supply parallel board is reported as not present. I've tried downgrading the bios, the esm level, pulled all cables, pulled all the hard drives, reseated everything. Nothing seems to bring it back. Due to the fact that it thinks that the PSPB is missing, the power supply fan is reported as running as zero and one of the lights on the front of the server is blinking orange. I know that I am not the only one experiencing this problem. Any help for us affected by this Dell?

I have just run into this same problem after installing the A12 BIOS update on my 6300.  I get the "firmware out of date" on the ESM boot messages and the system hangs.  Is there any hope of a fix on this????

 

Tom

I got the same problem with a PowerEdge 6300 as well (Win 2000 server).  I updated the BIOS to A12, then attempted to flash the ESM to 5.24 (a42cust.exe).  The ESM flashed successfully; but the smflshnt failed while flashing the Power Supply Parallelling Board.  On reboot, the system reported that my PSPB, Backplane, and Hot-Swap PCI Controller boards were all missing.  I attempted reflashing to 5.24; but of course the smflsh.exe could no longer detect the 3 boards.  Flashing system BIOS and ESM to previous versions had no effect.  I am hesitant to attempt rebooting with cables removed, given BTWELLS experience with the exact same configuration.  On the positive side, the server is operational; but of course I have lost a significant amount of the redundancy I paid for. 

A big question is this:  If I purchase 3 new boards to replace those destroyed by the a42cust.exe flash software, can I expect that the 6300 will recognize the new boards after they are installed?

I am having the same problem with a 6300.  I flashed the BIOS with ver 13 and then updated the ESM and now my Powersupply Backplane isn't registering.  I've tried to reflash my BIOS back to version 6 and EMS back to the very begining.  Still isn't registering.  Looks like this issue has been open for a while.  Is a DELL moderater going to respond with a FIX.

I had the same problem with below inquiries.

Good day.

 

I working to recover Dell PE6300 st# TYLNJ with failing ESM FW as indicated below

 

Hot-Plug PCI Controller Firmware revision 0.0

!!**** Warning: firmware is OUT-OF-DATE, please update…****!!

 

I successfully update the ESM a40 unto the server before the error prompts during POST after I reboot the server.

 

Please see stated link below, as I checked the Dell forum to find-out if there is an outstanding issue with the ESM upgrade, a number of flagged inquiries was posted.

Please advice us for any isolation or resolution procedure on this server issue.

Any recommendation would highly appreciated.

 

pinoi.