Motherboard ID - Please Help

Question

I have a client that has a PE2900 that the server software is reading that Fan 01 is not operating ( 0 rpm) so all fans are no longer redundant and running at high speed. However all fans are running including Fan 01 ... I have swapped fans and still same reading and fast speed. I have troubleshooted this and updated the Bios and Firmware as suggested, no change. Checked connections of fans are all fine. There seems to be only two solutions to this ... either add resistors to the fans to slow them down and allow the system to continue thinking Fan01 is out, or replace the entire mother board to replace the sensor that is apparently gone bad ... First, I think that is crazy there is not a way to replace the sensor, but it is what it is ... I need to know when getting a new motherboard for a 2900 are there different ones that may get me the wrong one ? I looked in the server admin software and could not find a listing for the motherboard exactly ? Here is what is listed and wondering if the first one or last one listed is the motherboard ? If not how do I make sure I get the same motherboard? System Planar (BMC) CN137407CC028V 0NX642 A00 DELL Wed Dec 12 07:00:00 2007 Remote Access Controller (DRAC 5) WW0106 126814 A00 DELL Sat Jan 05 00:00:00 2008 SAS Controller Daughter Card (Storage) CN13740813023Y 0JT167 A01 DELL Thu Jan 03 07:00:00 2008 Power Supply 1 (PS 1) CN162937CD0006 0U8947 A02 DELL Thu Dec 13 07:00:00 2007 Power Supply 2 (PS 2) CN155447BB9166 0KX823 A03 DELL Sun Nov 11 07:00:00 2007 Primary Backplane (Storage) CN137407BG01F8 0KU482 A01 DELL Fri Nov 16 07:00:00 2007

DELL-Josh Cr · Accepted Answer

If it is an OEM version of the OS there should not be an issue with activation.

theflash1932 · Answer

There are three different revisions of the 2900 board - I would suggest getting the same as what you have to avoid any incompatible parts. Sensors are built into the motherboard ... doesn't make sense to make them modular.

TonyPasswater · Answer

Thank you for your reply ... How can I determine what revision I have ? Is there some type of marking on the board ? If so, can it be found easily ?

theflash1932 · Answer

If the system boots up, you can find it in OMSA - Chassis, System Chassis, Information. There is also usually a II or III on the upper-left corner of the front of the system when it is one of those. You can also usually figure it out from the part number of the motherboard itself.

DELL-Josh Cr · Answer

Hi, The part number that you listed is NX642. It is a Gen III version of the 2900.

TonyPasswater · Answer

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You ... I wasn't sure of the terminology listed ... I have it on order ... Tony

TonyPasswater · Answer

Thank you again for the quick replies ...

I did think of another question ... I have viewed the several You Tube Videos for removing and replacing the motherboard, and it seems very straight forward ...

I have done this for workstations in the past ... what I am wondering is the OS which is Server 2008R2... will there be an issue with the hardware change that requires the re-installation of reactivation of the OS ?

Thanks in Advance

PowerEdge Hardware General

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