M1015 to 9211-IT ...no disks detected - please help

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NLS

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Jun 3, 2013
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OK I (think I) successfully flashed my newly acquired IBM M1015 to LSI9211-8i in IT mode.
It was a bit difficult as I needed to find a motherboard that could see the card AND flash it.
The first I tried saw the card, but froze when trying to query the card before flashing.
Next motherboard was fine.
Anyway I flashed it as seen here:
http://www.servethehome.com/ibm-serveraid-m1015-part-4/
and here:
SAS2008 (LSI9240/9211) Firmware files - Page 4 - Projects, Tools, Utilities & Customized INFs - LaptopVideo2Go Forums

I used P16 release firmware.

Note #1: None of the two was the actual motherboard I would use the card on. The card that I want the card on is ECS P45T-A (V1.0).
ECS Web Site > P45T-A (V1.0)
On the first PCIe x16 slot I have the VGA card and on the second PCIe x16 slot I have the controller.

Note #2: I NEVER tried it as IBM M1015 with disks (my SFF-8087 to 2xSATA cables were on order).

Anyway I installed everything on my server, put the cables in, connected 8 of my drives (note that the drives where previously working already in that system, using two smaller "stupid" controllers). So, nothing wrong with the drives, or PSU etc.

Anyway long story short: Doesn't seem to see ANY of my drives. It shows 0 drives. Also I installed MSM in Windows, it does indeed see the card, but shows 0 drives.

What could be wrong?

Extra info. When booting, BIOS screen reports:

LSI MPT SAS2 BIOS
MPT2BIOS 7.31.00.00 (2013.02.28)

And, in the ctrl-c prompt if I PRESS ctrl-c it shows:
LSI Corporation MPT2 boot ROM successfully installed.
(briefly)
...then boots and actuallyu does NOT go to configuration.

If I do NOT press ctrl-c, instead it shows a table with this info:
PCI slot FF
Vendor LSI
SAS2008-IT
revision 16.00.00.00
size/nvdata 10:00:00:00:06
...and boots

Windows (SBS2011 which is 2008R2 kernel), does see the card, I even installed newest drivers, but again, no drives.

Give me some feedback please.

Could it be the cables?
These are the cables:
Digitus DK-127011 SAS,SFF-8087,36PIN ΣΕ 4 SATA 7 P... - Easy Buy World
(bought two)

Please help me, I don't know what to do.
 

NLS

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Jun 3, 2013
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Nobody?

I searched around and found there are issues about a "forward" and a "reverse" version of the cable?
Correct cable for M1015 and sata drives? - [H]ard|Forum
The cable I bought above, I don't see any clear indication... Could that be the issue?

Here I found the only proper description of the cable by Digitus that I bought (page 35)...
http://www.services.assmann.com/dow...essional2009-2010/02_copper components_en.pdf

I am not sure what to try next.
Should I order different cables? (will take days)

Maybe something wrong with the card?
(sent from HK... will be tough to send back...)

I plan to flash back to M1015 original and check what happens.
 

NLS

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Jun 3, 2013
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Nobody bothered to give an idea (unlike other fora, I have to say).

Anyway an update...

I flashed the card back to stock M1015 firmware (latest version).
NO disks detected again.

One thing I noticed is that (like in 9211-8i IT mode WITH mptsas2 bios installed), I cannot invoke configuration screen (ctrl-h for M1015, ctrl-c for 9211-8i), without failure, but doesn't start, just boots normally.

This means one of the following:

1) Something is wrong with the card. HOPE NOT.

2) Something cannot connect with invoking the card BIOS from my motherboard BIOS (seen that before with different unrelated hardware). I don't care as in IT mode I don't ever need the configuration screen

3) This card (in M1015 or 9211-8i IT mode) does not allow invoking the configuration screen if there is no disk detected/connected. (anybody care to try that?)

So... hoping it is not #1 above, I flashed back LSI 9211-8i IT mode and wait for LSI "forward" cables I ordered from Italy (CBL-SFF8087OCF-06M)... Hope this solves it (will post update).

WIll also contact the seller of the card today, that I plan to do one more test, else I will have to return it.
 

Biren78

Active Member
Jan 16, 2013
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I flashed the card back to stock M1015 firmware (latest version).
NO disks detected again.

One thing I noticed is that (like in 9211-8i IT mode WITH mptsas2 bios installed), I cannot invoke configuration screen (ctrl-h for M1015, ctrl-c for 9211-8i), without failure, but doesn't start, just boots normally.
Is the option ROM enabled?

mobilenvidia here is the firmware guru
 

Lost-Benji

Member
Jan 21, 2013
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The arse end of the planet
I might suggest using the search feature as these issues have been covered before.

Get the card in a board that is known working BEFORE attempting to flash. NOT all boards are equal or designed for enterprise devices to be added, especially P45's.
 

NLS

New Member
Jun 3, 2013
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OK I have the final update and case close for this:

It was the cables.
I just received LSI's own "forward" cables and yes, the controller detects the drives AND my motherboard BIOS also does (if I needed to boot from them - which I don't).
(quick to dismiss my motherboard and chipset eh?)

Thank you all for your support.

Ah... moral of the story: Do NOT get the Digitus cables for this controller.
 

NLS

New Member
Jun 3, 2013
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No thanks. Useless to me. The 32 euros I got back were more important.
Read: I am Greek.
Read #2: Wtf would I need a cable that goes from 4 SATA controller ports to a single SFF-8087 (that most backplanes do NOT use)?
 

NLS

New Member
Jun 3, 2013
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Most backplanes I've seen have SFF-8484 but anyway.
Also if I had a system with a backplane I would probably NOT use my on-board SATA controller.

In any case still useless to me. If it was useful to you, you should tell me earlier to send it over.
 
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