recovery of non-responsive file server

[KenH]

Thanks for all the thoughts. among other things, I connected the rj45 connections from the server (first #1 then #2),  to a spare switch ( I did not have a spare cross over cable handy, and a laptop (with Wi-Fi disabled) to the switch) configured the laptop adapter to the same subnet 192.168.0.1 dns to 192.168.0.1.  I still was not able to ping the server using 192.168.0.120. 

When I restart the server, it first displays that it is booting, then shows "ST: 58RWKN1". I realize we have wasted too much time for a retired file server, but it does seem it should be possible to get it to work.  Originally, I connected two different working monitors to the server directly. but since we were trying to connect using IDRAC I assumed a directly connected monitor would be unnecessary.

Thanks again for all the input!

[Jeff Golas]

Sounds like you completely understood what was being said, congrats on translating our gibberish! If the display shows ST: xxxx, thats giving you the serial # (or aka the Dell "service tag"). So your backplane is working. One last thing you can try in regards to the idrac, is plug it into a network that has DHCP (or if you have an old internet router laying around, plug both the laptop and the server into it so they both get an IP address). The router will tell you if the idrac grabbed an ip using dhcp so that you know exactly what to connect to. If you dont see it grabbing anything, chances are its either configured for static or DOA.

Does your display have arrows where you can scroll? I'd be REALLY surprised if it doesn't, and if so, it may tell you what's wrong, thats what differentiates a server from a workstation. Do you get any beeps/sounds at all?

Lastly...getting really technical, do any of the capacitors on the motherboard look like they're popped or ready to pop?

[Jeff Golas]

PS - Looked up that service tag at support.dell.com and saw some posts in regards to dead servers and the power supply being toast.

[KenH]

Thanks for the tips.
Connecting a separate router is a good Idea. I will give that a shot next chance I get.

[Jeff Golas]

PS - looked up the config via that support site, don't see a drac in the list unless it was added later....


224-8662 : PowerEdge T410 Chassis w/ up t o 6 Hot-Plug Hard Drives,LCD D iagnostics
342-0753 : SAS, PERC 6/iR Cable, T410
313-7842 : Optical Cable T410
330-4146 : Power Supply, Redundant, 580W
310-8509 : Power Cord, NEMA 5-15P to C13, 15 amp, wall plug, 10 feet / 3 meter
317-4112 : Intel XeonE5620 2.4Ghz, 12M Ca che,Turbo, HT, 1066MHz Max Mem
341-6175 : PERC6i SAS RAID Controller Internal with Battery
313-9100 : 16X DVD-ROM,SATA, INTERNAL
317-2553 : 8GB Memory (4x2GB), 1333MHz S ingle Ranked UDIMMs for 1Proce ssor, Optimized
341-8728 : 500GB 7.2K RPM SATA 3Gbps 3.5i n Hot-plug Hard Drive
330-4150 : Electronic System Documentation and OpenManage DVD Kit
330-5280 : Dell Management Console
317-1301 : T410 Heat Sync 1P

[KenH]

I doubt there is a problem with either of the two power supplies. they both seem to be starting normally. first really high speed fans, soon slowing back down. The LCD display is working, etc.

I did try connecting a laptop and the server to a spare router.  Though it was able to recognize the laptop, it did not show a connection to the server. I am ready to give-up and declare it a brick.

Thanks to everyone for your efforts!!

[Joshua Conner]

If you really want the data look into a used motherboard.  I bought one for a failed r710 and it was super easy to swap all of the components and it booted right up and I got my data off.  I think it was 85$ for a used mobo. 

[Jeff Golas]

I doubt there is a problem with either of the two power supplies. they both seem to be starting normally. first really high speed fans, soon slowing back down. The LCD display is working, etc.

I did try connecting a laptop and the server to a spare router.  Though it was able to recognize the laptop, it did not show a connection to the server. I am ready to give-up and declare it a brick.

Thanks to everyone for your efforts!!

As I mentioned above...I dont see any drac in the list, so I dont think it has any drac card in it. The other thing you can look for is the post lights if it has any - like 3-4 leds on the back somewhere that show what the motherboard is doing.