Hi Aguambo,

I would need your Service Tag Number of the PowerEdge Server to determine exactly which Raid controller is installed.

FYI, the Perc 3/qc, Perc 3/dc and Perc 3/dcl use the same driver and firmware. If you do have this family of controler, it is recommended to use the Dell driver, not the Microsoft provided driver:

LSI Logic (formerly AMI) PERC3/DC, 3/DCL, 3/QC, 3/SC, Firmware, v.1.92, A23
FileName:  PERC3-FW-1.92-A23.exe [0 MB]
Release Date:  8/28/2003
http://support.dell.com/filelib/format.aspx?releaseid=R63252

LSI Logic, Driver, Windows Server 2003, v.6.35.2.32, A02
CERC ATA 100, 4/DC, 4/Di, 4/SC, 3/DC, 3/DCL, 3/QC, 3/SC
FileName:  PERC-CERC-W2K3-6.35-A02.exe [124 KB]
Release Date:  8/28/2003
http://support.dell.com/filelib/format.aspx?releaseid=R63407

Hi!

I finally found out what RAID Controller is on the system. It is a Dell PERC 3/Di RAID Controller.

But, I have a problem determining whether to use Micrososft's driver, which is dated October 10th, 2002 and a version number of 5.2.3790.0 versus Dell's driver that is dated April 24th, 2003 with a version number of 2.7.1.499.

Windows 2003 Server warns me that the version provided by Dell is older than the one installed on the system. Should I ignore the message and update the driver?

Cheers!

Aguambo

Hi Aguambo,

The Dell driver is required for compatibility with the Dell OpenManage Array Manager. It is also very important to have the latest firmware for the Perc 3/di installed when using Win2003.

Thanks for the response, but my question still isn't answered. Which, driver should I use? Dell's driver that is dated April 24th, 2003 with a version number of 2.7.1.499?

Cheers!

Aguambo

Hi,

You need to use Dell's driver even though it is older than the Microsoft version.

PERC 2/qc, 2/Si, 3/Si, 3/Di, Driver, 2003, v.2.7.1.4944, A02
FileName:  WS03A02.exe [221 KB]
Release Date:  9/9/2003
http://support.dell.com/filelib/format.aspx?ReleaseID=R58648

Which PowerEdge Server do you have?  I would like to send the link to the correct firmware also.

Hi,

These are the latest System and Perc Upgrades for the PowerEdge 2650 running Win2003. Install in this order:

System BIOS, English, PowerEdge 2650, A17
FileName:  PE2650-BIOSA17.exe [640 KB]
Release Date:  11/24/2003
http://support.dell.com/filelib/format.aspx?releaseid=R68051

ESM Firmware, PowerEdge 2650, A02
Filename: fwsBPa02.exe [112 KB]
http://support.dell.com/filelib/format.aspx?ReleaseID=R53488

Dell Remote Access Controller - ERA and DRACIII/XT, Firmware, v.3.0, A00
FileName:  d_1006v30bm.exe [2 MB]
Release Date:  11/24/2003
http://support.dell.com/filelib/format.aspx?releaseid=R68393

PERC 2/qc, 2/Si, 3/Si, 3/Di, Driver, 2003, v.2.7.1.4944, A02
FileName:  WS03A02.exe [221 KB]
Release Date:  9/9/2003
http://support.dell.com/filelib/format.aspx?ReleaseID=R58648

Adaptec PERC3/Di, Firmware, PowerEdge 2650, V2.7.1.3170, A05
Filename: BB317005.exe [874 KB]
http://support.dell.com/filelib/format.aspx?ReleaseID=R46748

I have a PowerEdge 2650,which is running Windows 2003.

Thanks!

Aguambo

Updates installed, everything now works fine. Thanks a lot!

Aguambo

I have a PowerEdge 2300, which will be running Windows 2003.

PowerEdge 2300
Service Tag Number:  UKV1D
Ship Date:  2/9/1999

Could you verify firmware and drivers for me also.  I love the help you gave in this thread.

4230C   Assembly, Card (Circuit), PERC, PCI/S, P2200/2300

Here's where I am so far:

Server System BIOS, English, PowerEdge 2300, A15
FileName:  PE2300-BIOSA15.exe [513 KB]
Release Date:  4/24/2003

ESM Firmware, Firmware, English, Multi System, A40
File Name:  a40cust.exe [563 KB]
Release Date:  1/3/2000

 

By the way, since I've tried everyway I can think of, I guess there's no way to create the Utility Partion on a Raid array.

(4) 9.1gb hotswap drives

(3) drives Raid-5, (1) common spare

Hi,

Your server has the original Perc II which is not "officially" supported on Win2003 by Dell or Microsoft. I have seen reports of users installing the Win2000 drivers and getting good results, but this has not been validated.

Issues:
The firmware revision must be the latest revision.
One more "gotcha" is the boot array on the Perc II must not be more than 12Gb. Secondary arrays do not have this limitation.

Perc II - Firmware, v. U84/C81, A02
File Name:  PERCU84.exe
http://support.dell.com/filelib/format.aspx?ReleaseID=R15115

(AMI) PERC II, 2/SC, 2/DC, Driver, Win2000, v. 2.68, A03
Filename: W2k268A.exe (47 KB)
http://support.dell.com/filelib/format.aspx?ReleaseID=R25714

The raid controller itself will not create the Utility Partition. The only way to create the Utility Partition is using the Dell OpenManage Server Assistant CD (DOSA). The last version of the DOSA which supported the PowerEdge 2300 is 7.3.3. Actually, I would not recommend the Utility Partition on this system anyway. The diagnostics and drivers installed there would be outdated and useless with the Win2003 Operating System.

FYI, if you are the original owner or have officially transferred ownership, this server is still under a 4 hour warranty contract until February 9, 2004.

Message Edited by DELL-Mark A on 01-20-2004 10:07 AM