Avamar: Gen4S Hardware: Node boot error "The cache contains dirty data, but controller features do not match with features stored on memory module"

Summary: Avamar Gen4S: Node does not boot due to error "The cache contains dirty data, but controller features do not match with features stored on memory module"

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.

Symptoms

During a Gen4S node replacement, the following message is seen on the console or Keyboard, Video, Mouse (KVM) switch during one of the reboots:

The cache contains dirty data, but controller features do not match with features stored on memory module; 
flushing cache may lead to data corruption.
If memory module is being transported, please make sure to have same features on target controller as that
of source controller and retry. If you continue the data in cache will be permanently discarded.

Press "X" to acknowledge and permanently destroy the cached data.
The message can also be seen during a regular power drain of the system. 

 

Cause

If the battery is drained, the configuration stored in the cache on the controller can be lost.

Resolution

Press X to acknowledge the loss of the cached data (which should not cause data loss).

The server should then boot as expected.

Affected Products

Avamar, Avamar Server
Article Properties
Article Number: 000037225
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 22 Jan 2026
Version:  5
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