R720 - iDRAC cannot initialize (MB replaced)

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Janus006

New Member
Jan 28, 2021
13
2
3
Hi,

Few weeks ago, I tried to update my system via WM Ware OMSA. After 3 hours of ... nothing happening anymore, I restarted server. Since this time, the server display on boot "Alert! iDRAC not responding." and reboot. At second reboot, I'm still having the error but the server boot. (FAN are also full blast and iDRAC do not seems to work)

Ok, at this point, I failed during my upgrade ...

After reading possible solution, it seems the only solution is to replace motherboard (as iDRAC is on motherboard). I finally bought a new used motherboard (seller guaranty it was removed from working system) and I have the exact same issue. So ... the problem do not appears to be with motherboard.

Don't know if it can be usefull. When I connect power cord, the server start directly, maybe not giving time to iDRAC to initialise. (but I can ear the sound of the iDRAC starting) - Any reason or it's normal ?
Also, at this first "start", the front LCD lights on (blue display). But when the server restart after displayed "Alert! iDRAC not responding." for the fisrt time, this LCD does not turns on anymore.

I tried to remove every devices (onboard RAID controller / PERC H710 card / disconnect DVD, all drives / remove all RAM except one for each CPU) and I have same error. I also tried to reset vflash config.

Any idea of what can be the issue ?
 

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Renat

Member
Jun 8, 2016
57
19
8
41
Probably the same issue that HP has: dead 4Gb SanDisk SSD chip.
Will try to test it in future.

In case of HP this is simple: just reball new chip and use standard format command from iLo. In case of Dell use onboard SD-card reader. For Tower with JTAG or with external SD-card reader probably.
 

marco101

New Member
Nov 10, 2023
4
0
1
Hi Team,

I have the same problem with my r720:

Warning ! iDRAC initialization error. Continuing to boot may yield unexpected power loss due to unknown Power inventory and various features lost such as Remote Access, Active Power Management, Thermal Management, Inventory, LCD, or System Error Reporting.

Strike F1 to continue, F2 to run system setup program

- If I hit F2, in BIOS option, under iDRAC Setting, I have: "SWC0700: iDRAC is not ready. The configuration values cannot be accessed."

- If I hit F1, the boot sequence continue and complain again about iDRAC "SWC0700: iDRAC is not ready. The configuration values cannot be accessed."
but if I press F1, the real boot continue.

I came across


The Bios is something like 2.52 or 2.56

I am not exactly sure which iDrac version I had running.
If I have to guess, I would say something like 2.30.30.30...

I have downloaded all iDrac versions and have extracted firmimg.d7 from all of them, which are:

1.20.20
1.23.23
1.31.30
1.35.35
1.37.35
1.40.40
1.45.45
1.46.45
1.57.57
1.66.65
2.10.10.10
2.15.10.10
2.20.20.20
2.21.21.21
2.30.30.30
2.31.31.30
2.32.31.30
2.40.40.40
2.41.40.40
2.50.50.50
2.52.52.52
2.60.60.60
2.61.60.60
2.63.60.62

Which version should I use on the SD disc?

Thank you
Marco
 

jerryxlol

Member
Nov 27, 2016
47
4
8
31
Hi Team,

I have the same problem with my r720:

Warning ! iDRAC initialization error. Continuing to boot may yield unexpected power loss due to unknown Power inventory and various features lost such as Remote Access, Active Power Management, Thermal Management, Inventory, LCD, or System Error Reporting.

Strike F1 to continue, F2 to run system setup program

- If I hit F2, in BIOS option, under iDRAC Setting, I have: "SWC0700: iDRAC is not ready. The configuration values cannot be accessed."

- If I hit F1, the boot sequence continue and complain again about iDRAC "SWC0700: iDRAC is not ready. The configuration values cannot be accessed."
but if I press F1, the real boot continue.

I came across


The Bios is something like 2.52 or 2.56

I am not exactly sure which iDrac version I had running.
If I have to guess, I would say something like 2.30.30.30...

I have downloaded all iDrac versions and have extracted firmimg.d7 from all of them, which are:

1.20.20
1.23.23
1.31.30
1.35.35
1.37.35
1.40.40
1.45.45
1.46.45
1.57.57
1.66.65
2.10.10.10
2.15.10.10
2.20.20.20
2.21.21.21
2.30.30.30
2.31.31.30
2.32.31.30
2.40.40.40
2.41.40.40
2.50.50.50
2.52.52.52
2.60.60.60
2.61.60.60
2.63.60.62

Which version should I use on the SD disc?

Thank you
Marco
I think you can use any firmware you listed above the version you have installed.
I have tried this procedure with 2.61 firmware which has fix for your issue, but it is possible that idrac is hardware dead and no way to install firmware is possible. (when i followed the procedure idrac was blinking for more than hour and when rebooted same issue)
 

marco101

New Member
Nov 10, 2023
4
0
1
I think you can use any firmware you listed above the version you have installed.
I have tried this procedure with 2.61 firmware which has fix for your issue, but it is possible that idrac is hardware dead and no way to install firmware is possible. (when i followed the procedure idrac was blinking for more than hour and when rebooted same issue)
Thank you for the feedback.

And yes, if the board is dead, then it I need to switch it.

OK, I will try then 2.63.60.62 and come back with my findings - and hopefully it helps someone else.

Thanks again!
 

marco101

New Member
Nov 10, 2023
4
0
1
Hi,

an update:
What caused this, might have been that one power supply was defect, when I tried to do a rebranding

I tried it the image from 2.63.60.62 after replacing the defect powersupply.

there was no LED flashing, that might be the reason why it did not try to boot from the SD card.

I left the server now powered down - and basically be thrown out ... :( ..

If anyone has an idea, please let me know.

Thanks
Marco
 

marco101

New Member
Nov 10, 2023
4
0
1
Hi,

an update:
What caused this, might have been that one power supply was defect, when I tried to do a rebranding

I tried it the image from 2.63.60.62 after replacing the defect powersupply.

there was no LED flashing, that might be the reason why it did not try to boot from the SD card.

I left the server now powered down - and basically be thrown out …
:frowning:


If anyone has an idea, please let me know.

Thanks
Marco