PowerEdge: BIOS stops during Power On Self-Test (POST) after applying iDRAC9 4.00.00.00 firmware

Summary: Guidance for resolving an issue with Dell platforms with iDRAC9 4.xx series firmware unexpectedly error during Power On Self-Test (POST) with some third-party PCIe adapters installed. This step-by-step guide provides instructions to resolve this error by disabling PCIe VDM in iDRAC9. ...

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Symptoms

PowerEdge servers or other platforms can unexpectedly halt during Power On Self-Test (POST) with a yellow EFI error banner when iDRAC9 firmware 4.00.00.00 is installed and certain third-party PCIe adapters are present. This issue may occur when all of the following conditions are met:

  • A third-party PCIe adapter is installed
  • iDRAC9 firmware version 4.00.00.00 is installed
  • The server is rebooted or powered on

For general troubleshooting information on the YSOD/RSOD PST0208 errors review: PowerEdge: How to Troubleshoot RSOD/YSOD

 

Error Messages

On-Screen EFI Error

YSOD EFI POST error

A system restart is required. The system detected an exception during the UEFI preboot environment. Check the serial output or iDRAC debug logs for detailed information.

Lifecycle Controller Log Entry

2020-01-05 22:25:16 PST0208 System BIOS has halted.

Cause

iDRAC9 firmware 4.00.00.00 enabled PCIe Vendor Device Messages (VDM) transport support for side-band querying of PCIe add-in cards. By default, this attribute is enabled in iDRAC9 firmware 4.00.00.00. While Dell Technologies validates that Dell branded PCIe adapters shipped with original orders support this side-band management, third-party PCIe adapters added after original purchase may not support this side-band transport and invoke the error.

 

Note: PCIe VDM was removed in iDRAC9 firmware releases 4.10.10.10 through 4.40.40.00. These releases do not require any steps to disable PCIe VDM. Not all third-party PCIe adapters invoke this error. Dell Technologies supported PCIe cards are not affected.

Resolution

PCIe VDM can be enabled or disabled in iDRAC9 with firmware 4.00.00.00. PCIe VDM was removed in iDRAC9 firmware releases 4.10.10.10 through 4.40.40.00, so these releases do not require any steps to disable PCIe VDM. PCIe VDM is expected to be reintroduced in the iDRAC9 firmware 5.00.00.00 release.

If the EFI error occurs on firmware 4.00.00.00, perform the following steps to disable PCIe VDM and power cycle the platform:

  1. Disable VDM through RACADM: 
    racadm>>racadm set iDRAC.PCIeVDM.Enable Disabled
[Key=iDRAC.Embedded.1#PCIeVDM.1]
Object value modified successfully
racadm>>
  2. Power cycle the server through RACADM: 
    racadm>>racadm serveraction powercycle
Server power operation initiated successfully
racadm>>
Note: For additional RACADM guidance, see the iDRAC9 version 4.00.00.00 RACADM CLI Guide. To locate the guide, go to Dell Support, search for the iDRAC9 Lifecycle Controller v4.x series, and select the RACADM CLI Guide from the Manuals and Documents section.

Affected Products

iDRAC9 - 4.xx Series

Products

PowerEdge R240, PowerEdge R340, PowerEdge R440, PowerEdge R540, PowerEdge R640, PowerEdge R6415, PowerEdge R740, PowerEdge R740XD, PowerEdge R740XD2, PowerEdge R7415, PowerEdge R7425, PowerEdge R840, PowerEdge R940, PowerEdge R940xa, PowerEdge T140 , PowerEdge T340, PowerEdge T440, PowerEdge T640 ...
Article Properties
Article Number: 000176841
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 07 Aug 2026
Version:  10
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