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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. ...

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.
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Symptoms

Description

Dell EMC PowerEdge Servers or other platforms with iDRAC9 may unexpectedly error during Power On Self-Test (POST) with iDRAC9 4.xx series firmware that is installed with some third-party PCIe adapters installed. During reboot of the server, the BIOS may stop with yellow EFI error banner that is displayed on the screen. This issue may occur when following conditions are met:

  • Presence of third-party PCIe adapter
  • iDRAC9 with firmware 4.xx.xx.xx
  • Reboot/ Power On of platform

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 4.00.00.00 firmware. While Dell EMC validates that Dell branded PCI-e 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 error.

Note: PCIe VDM was removed in iDRAC9 firmware releases 4.10.10.10 - 4.40.40.00. These releases do not require any steps to disable PCIeVDM feature. PCIe VDM to be reintroduced in iDRAC9 firmware 5.00.00.00 release.
Note: Not all third-party PCIe adapters invoke this error. Dell EMC supported PCIe cards are not affected.

 

Error Messages:

On-screen EFI Error
YSOD POST Crash Screen 

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.

Resolution

Solution

PCIe VDM can be enabled or disabled in the iDRAC9 controller with firmware 4.00.00.00. PCIe VDM was removed in iDRAC9 firmware releases 4.10.10.10 - 4.40.40.00. These releases do not require any steps to disable PCIeVDM feature. PCIeVDM to be reintroduced in iDRAC9 firmware 5.00.00.00 release. If the EFI error occurs, 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 Server through RACADM
    racadm>>racadm serveraction powercycle
    Server power operation initiated successfully
    racadm>>
Note: See the iDRAC9 version 4.00.00.00 RACADM CLI Guide for additional RACADM guidance.

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: 05 Dec 2024
Version:  7
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