I just bought a Dell Poweredge T130. I used it for a day, basically using Windows Server 2012.
Last night, after watching some videos, I had the brilliant idea to update Bios.
Using "Dell Lifecycle Controller", I chose FTP option with ftp.dell.com.
It downloaded all the updates, but at some point, I had to leave the room for a minute or two. After camming back, the system was locked on the "Loading Bios".
Rebooted manually (several times) and got the same problem over and over. First it runs "Checking Memory" (or something like that). Then "Loading Bios". The progress bar gets about 30% and freezes.
About 10 seconds after rebooting, a amber light starts to blink both in front of the server as well in the back.
Searching this forum and other places, I already tryed resetting NVRAM by moving the jumpers, but nothing changed.
I am afraid (really afraid) that my motherboard bricked somehow.
Can someone give me some hope?
Really frustrated since it was my first server and my first day with it.
The first thing I would do is let it sit on the window that it is freezing on. It may not actually be freezing. It may be trying to finish the update. It can take a long time for BIOS and firmware updates to complete. I would let it sit on that screen for at least an hour. If it doesn't go past that screen then perform no-POST troubleshooting. If the issue still persists at minimum-to-POST then you will likely need to replace the system board.
This morning I turned the server on and I will keep it on untill tomorrow morning. That way there will be no doubt if it's still updating the Bios or It is freezed.
We (me and my wife) figured it out what was the blinking ember light mentioned before.. it was just to indicate that the server case was opened. Once we closed it, the light turned blue (totally noobies)
To be cristal clear, the server is "freezed" on this screen:
Just performed the no-POST trobleshooting. Nothing different happened. Still freezes at the same screen. Does anyone has any other idea? How can I flash the BIOS manually? Or can I understand my system board bricked and became garbage?
It would be the same process as initially loading BIOS or firmware onto a blank device. I've never done it, but it will require equipment you do not likely have.
can I understand my system board bricked
If the issue persists at minimum-to-POST and you have reseated everything in the system and swapped as many components as possible then yes, you will likely need to replace parts.
I'm just curious ... what made you want to perform a firmware update to begin with? Did something happen with the server to convince you to do that? Hardware can be funny sometimes ...
I'm a couple of years late to the game, but same thing just happened to us with a T130. Removing the power cable, holding down the power button (killing flea power), plug back in, power on fixed it this time. It even survives normal reboots now.
Clarifying, holding down the power button to shut down, then powering back on brought us back to the Loading BIOS Drivers... several times. It only got past this point after clearing the flea power.
Daniel My
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Posted March 4th, 2017 17:00
Hello
The first thing I would do is let it sit on the window that it is freezing on. It may not actually be freezing. It may be trying to finish the update. It can take a long time for BIOS and firmware updates to complete. I would let it sit on that screen for at least an hour. If it doesn't go past that screen then perform no-POST troubleshooting. If the issue still persists at minimum-to-POST then you will likely need to replace the system board.
www.dell.com/support/article/SLN111201/
Thanks