PowerEdge T110 II - PCIe 1x cards not detected by Bios

I'd suggest to get a desktop computer that's more built for multimedia and try that.

There are very little things you can do to get a server bios changed (without spending a lot of money to have the manufacturer custom change it for you) unless there is a problem detecting server hardware that would make sense in the server that you have (e.g. why bother trying to get a 10Gbit NIC working in a server that has a base price that's probably less than the cost of the NIC itself).

I don't get it, PCIe is a standard, any PCIe compliant card should be detected. It is not mentionned anywhere that this server is not PCIe compliant and support only a few cardss.

But a bios needs to reserve system resources to allow for certain devices to work properly. By making this as open as possible, you open your system up to more potential issues with compatibility, so server manufacturers limit it instead, and provide a list of devices that they know will work (and their bios was designed to work with those devices).

As a server's role typically does not include adding a TV tuner card, it is very possible that a card just doesn't work in the server. You can try a card from a different manufacturer to see if that works (may use different resources and therefor may work), or look into a USB solution.

I understand the need for rock solid reliability but many have purchased no name consumer pc's and used them for (what they may call) servers without any issues whatsoever.

And the T110 is one of Dells cheapest servers likely targeted at the those potential customers stepping up from these no name machines. Such clients would likely see themselves as buying more reliability and support but it seems in many cases they may find that the machine they bought is worse (to them) than the cheaper consumer boxes they may have just replaced. What used to work no longer works ! Often the reasons highlighted for the lack of compatibility is 'reliability' ! This is hardly reassuring to these new Dell customers.

Now fr Dell to sell such servers to potentially less sophisticated clients without making such bios limitations well known to these prospective client (regardless of the reason such limitations exist) is problematic and Dell should lift it's game and improve it's disclosure. Can't always continue to blame the purchaser. 

Me, I'd love to see some technical documentation that defines the BIOS design choices resulting in less PCIe compatibility based on reserving system resources for certified cards (which may not even be inserted). It seems to me, reserving resources for non existent cards is a backwards approach when combined with the fact that BIOS does not allow for such system resources to be configured. It's just wrong!

And to the OP, if your BIOS allows you to disable some PCIe slots, this may free up some system resources which may allow your TV card to work. But i'd first check that the slot actually works :) 

Thanks for summarizing exactly where I stand, at first I had a look at my local PC dealers, and then I cheked the Dell website, I saw that for the same price I could have a real server that would be well assembled, and PCie being a standard, I thought I wouldn't have any issue.

I knew my cards wouldn't be officialy supported (aka Dell actually tested its hardware with them) but as they're standard PCIe devices, they should at least be recognized by the Bios, and then making them work at operating system level is my problem, which I can handle.

I checked my PCIe slots with another card I have, and they're working. Actually I think the problem is more a bug in the Bios that sets the TLS always to 5Gb/s and it doesn't auto-change it to 2.5Gb/s, which is necessary for PCI-Express 1.0a bridges and when such bridge are detected. PCie is a standard and mother boards are supposed to be backward compatible. Looks like it's not the case here.

I guess I'll have to exchange my PCIe cards with their USB counterparts, but my system architecture will not be as clean as I wanted.

Interesting point about backward compatibility and a possible link training error resulting in not switching to the correct link speed (should have gone to the link you posted).

The T110 II Technical Guide, Section 8.3, indicates the C200 chipset (PCH) provides 8 PCIe root ports supporting 2.5 & 5GT/s. Section 11, further states that 2 x8 PCIe slots are connected to the CPU and 1 x4 PCie and 1 x1 PCie are connected to the PCH (but nothing about link speed).

Have you tried your card in the x4 or x1 PCIe slot?

Have you contacted support and attempted to get this escalated since you believe Dell BIOS is faulty?

Unfortunately trying to get escalated to the correct technical person to speak to within the Dell organization AND have them understand and acknowledge there is a fault with some hope of seeing a BIOS fix is like trying to find hens teeth. It's a real crime shame it's like this and such issues are very common amongst these supposed teir1 manufacturers. Pity really, but one should always try support.

Hi;

yes tried all available PCIe slots, rebooted (with power shut down to have a cold reset), checked at Bios and OS level, still nothing.

I tried to create a ticket at Dell support, but was not able to escalate, I don't have enough weight for that, the technician told me my hardware was not supported and that fixing the bug would probably introduce regressions! (Having worked in a big company escalation team for several years, I was really ashamed to hear that). So they didn't even took this for investigation and my ticket was closed.

Hence I posted here, hopping for help, and maybe enough noise to have someone in charge at Dell getting on it.

Thanks all, I guess I'll have my devices exchanged for their USB counterparts;

I was really hoping for better level of support from a company like Dell.

Lionel

INSIST that you be allowed to speak with an Escalations Manager.  This does not require "weight" ... it requires a calm, professional demeanor AND, at times, insistence.  If your case has been "closed for less than 5-7 days, it can be reopened.  However, Escalations will likely give you the same answer, but their explanation may be more thorough than the front-line agent's.