Removed HBA and installed RAID controller, no WebBIOS prompt

[ScottN]

Hi All,

A while ago I purchased a LSI 9211-8i setup for HBA. I was testing TrueNAS and the card was working fine for this, no problems. HBA did drive scans on boot and all that expected stuff.

Now the server is being purposed for Windows Server, so I bought a LSI MegaRAID 9271-8i. It arrived last night and I installed today (removed HBA and put 9271 in same slot). I expected to get the WebBIOS prompt (Ctrl+H) to configure RAID. I do not get that prompt. Once booted into Windows, no new hardware is in device manager.

I tried the full x16 port, same result.

Is this DOA or is something just not obvious here to get this to work?

FYI, the server has an ASRock Rack X570D4U-2L2T motherboard: ASRock Rack > X570D4U-2L2T

Slightly off topic (and if I have to look for something else): If someone has a recommendation for a good 8 HDD RAID (6) controller. Please let me know!

Thanks.

 

[i386]

Is this DOA

sounds like this
I would try a linux live cd to rule out windows as a problem

If someone has a recommendation for a good 8 HDD RAID (6) controller.

good ones are expensive
I like the newish microchip/adaptec smartraid controllers, especialy with the integrated supercap (takes up only one pcie slot, no annoying cable)

 

[mrpasc]

First: Did you try to delete the former HBA and it’s driver from device manager? Scan for new hardware afterwards.
Next try: install Broadcom raid manager and check if it can see your new controller. Some of those raid controllers can be run in JBOD mode, so it might be you have to switch on raid mode?
Third: bad luck, DOA

 

[mobilenvidia]

Doubt Wndows is the problem as its not coming up at boot time

Boot to LInux and the good 'ol 'LSPCI' command to see if its there

I really liket the Dell Perc H7x0 Controllers, compact with Battery built on and single slot, half height and length
H710P is equivalent of SAS9270/1

 

[RTM]

I would start by verifying in BIOS whether something is being detected in the PCIe slot (if such information is present).

To get access to the card's BIOS, you will need to ensure that the (main) BIOS is configured to load option ROM for the PCIe slot the card is installed in. Usually you can enable either UEFI or BIOS/CSM, which one you need to use depends on what ROM is loaded on the card (most likely BIOS/CSM) and what the (main) BIOS supports.

To use BIOS/CSM option ROM you may need to enable CSM support in the (main) BIOS.

Anyway if the card is DOA, I suggest you get something a bit newer, mostly just because using a relatively old card in a new platform like X570, feels (to me) like it might lead to weird compatibility issues (because hardware is not validated with such an old combination of hardware).

 

[ScottN]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm trying to find the download, but their site is just not very intuitive for getting the software.

Support Documents and Downloads

Search technical documentation and downloads including firmware and drivers.

www.broadcom.com

You'd think they would have dedicated links for their main RAID manager software?

 

[ScottN]

Anyway if the card is DOA, I suggest you get something a bit newer, mostly just because using a relatively old card in a new platform like X570, feels (to me) like it might lead to weird compatibility issues (because hardware is not validated with such an old combination of hardware).

Yeah, I feel that I'm getting to know more about this card, it's quite old. I'm coming into this kinda blind. I haven't worked with RAID controllers much since mid-2000s so no idea what is the tried and true or what is new and best for the value.

RAID controllers I used back in the day didn't have batteries either

Doubt Wndows is the problem as its not coming up at boot time

Agreed. The other card works fine in the same port, so the PCIe port is not disabled. I'm leaning towards DOA on this. I'm going to boot to Linux and see what lspci shows.

 

[ScottN]

This is result of lspci on Linux Live boot:

00:00.0 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device 1630
00:00.2 IOMMU: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device 1631
00:01.0 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device 1632
00:01.2 PCI bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device 1634
00:02.0 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device 1632
00:02.1 PCI bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device 1634
00:08.0 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device 1632
00:08.1 PCI bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device 1635
00:08.2 PCI bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device 1635
00:14.0 SMBus: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] FCH SMBus Controller (rev 51)
00:14.3 ISA bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] FCH LPC Bridge (rev 51)
00:18.0 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device 1448
00:18.1 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device 1449
00:18.2 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device 144a
00:18.3 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device 144b
00:18.4 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device 144c
00:18.5 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device 144d
00:18.6 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device 144e
00:18.7 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device 144f
20:00.0 PCI bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device 57ad
21:01.0 PCI bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device 57a3
21:02.0 PCI bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device 57a3
21:04.0 PCI bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device 57a3
21:05.0 PCI bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device 57a3
21:06.0 PCI bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device 57a3
21:08.0 PCI bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device 57a4
21:09.0 PCI bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device 57a4
21:0a.0 PCI bridge: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device 57a4
23:00.0 Non-Volatile memory controller: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device b000
24:00.0 Ethernet controller: Intel Corporation Ethernet Controller 10G X550T (rev 01)
24:00.1 Ethernet controller: Intel Corporation Ethernet Controller 10G X550T (rev 01)
26:00.0 Ethernet controller: Intel Corporation I210 Gigabit Network Connection (rev 03)
27:00.0 Ethernet controller: Intel Corporation I210 Gigabit Network Connection (rev 03)
28:00.0 PCI bridge: ASPEED Technology, Inc. AST1150 PCI-to-PCI Bridge (rev 04)
29:00.0 VGA compatible controller: ASPEED Technology, Inc. ASPEED Graphics Family (rev 41)
2a:00.0 Non-Essential Instrumentation [1300]: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device 1485
2a:00.1 USB controller: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device 149c
2a:00.3 USB controller: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device 149c
2b:00.0 SATA controller: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] FCH SATA Controller [AHCI mode] (rev 51)
2c:00.0 SATA controller: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] FCH SATA Controller [AHCI mode] (rev 51)
2d:00.0 Non-Volatile memory controller: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device b000
30:00.0 VGA compatible controller: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] Device 1636 (rev d8)
30:00.1 Audio device: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] Device 1637
30:00.2 Encryption controller: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device 15df
30:00.3 USB controller: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device 1639
30:00.4 USB controller: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device 1639
30:00.5 Multimedia controller: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device 15e2 (rev 01)
30:00.6 Audio device: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] Device 15e3
31:00.0 SATA controller: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] FCH SATA Controller [AHCI mode] (rev 81)
31:00.1 SATA controller: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] FCH SATA Controller [AHCI mode] (rev 81)

 

[mrpasc]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm trying to find the download, but their site is just not very intuitive for getting the software.

Support Documents and Downloads

Search technical documentation and downloads including firmware and drivers.

www.broadcom.com

You'd think they would have dedicated links for their main RAID manager software?

MegaRAID SAS 9280-4i4e / 9280DE-8e / 9280-8e / 9280-16i4e / 9280-24i4e downloads

MegaRAID SAS 9280-4i4e / 9280DE-8e / 9280-8e / 9280-16i4e / 9280-24i4e downloads

www.broadcom.com

 

[ScottN]

MegaRAID SAS 9280-4i4e / 9280DE-8e / 9280-8e / 9280-16i4e / 9280-24i4e downloads

MegaRAID SAS 9280-4i4e / 9280DE-8e / 9280-8e / 9280-16i4e / 9280-24i4e downloads

www.broadcom.com

That makes sense searching for 9271 card, but 9280 is the correct one? Sorry, much confuse

 

[mobilenvidia]

Not looking hopefull at all for your RAID card, if LSPCI doesn't see it then its pretty well end of the road unless....

Reset Mobo to factory default, to make sure no PCIe slots are blocked or other things plying
If there's a boot option start with BIOS not UEFI, you need to get that LSI BIOS splash screen to pop up BIOS mode will be more likely

All things 9271 are here
Support Documents and Downloads

 

[mobilenvidia]

That makes sense searching for 9271 card, but 9280 is the correct one? Sorry, much confuse

NO 9280 is SAS2108 based 9271 is SAS2208 use link above

 

[mrpasc]

That makes sense searching for 9271 card, but 9280 is the correct one? Sorry, much confuse

firmware will not suit, but MegaRAID storage manager tool is independent from card version
But as other already states card seems to be doa according to your lspi output. Sorry for that

 

[mobilenvidia]

If you have another Mobo try in there, anything with a physical PCie x8 slot or bigger, even if its PCIe x4 electrical
If it fails here, you have small paper weight

 

[ScottN]

If it fails here, you have small paper weight

Amazon return

I'm done with this card now. Resetting BIOS shouldn't matter as if I put the HBA back in same slot it works fine and shows.

I'm still open for suggestions on another RAID controller sub $400-$500 that is newer and has the community stamp of approval

 

[mobilenvidia]

Here is my Dell H710P I bought earlier in year to crank up my server, still more available, even same port layout as 9271
Dell PowerEdge H710P 1GB RAID Controller 7 GCGT NHGT 2 PCIE SAS PERC H710P | eBay
Not given me any grief

H730/740/H750 and H7x5 variants all good too and newer controllers as you go up in numbers
Do lots of homework and don't be shy to ask 'Is this any good'

 

[ScottN]

Quick question (let me know if I should start a new thread for this). Just can't seem to catch a break with these cards

I purchased the H170P and received it, put it in. BIOS detects the card, but when it starts its initializing, it shows this on the screen (see attached).

The system is 100% frozen. CAD doesn't work. I have to hold in the power button or reset.

I've tried with the drives connected or not. Is the battery dead and why this is happening? I would expect the system to totally lock up though so wondering if the card is bad or needs a firmware flash update. Seller said that it was 100% tested and operational in the listing.

 

[mobilenvidia]

Dell doesn't include any Battery things in their BIOS (LSI does) that I could see
But in Windows have a looksy here, should give info on battery and charge battery can hold and maybe force a manual relearn(will take some time)





MSM can do various things too and has more info on the battery

 

[ScottN]

I've tried the Ctrl+R but it doesn't go into that interface. The server locks up completely at the screenshot I posted. I can't get it to boot windows. Just locked up. I'm going to try the card in a different computer.

 

[i386]

I've tried the Ctrl+R but it doesn't go into that interface.

Int 19 disabled in bios//uefi settings?