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bcmatt

3 Posts

1005

September 17th, 2023 16:03

PowerEdge R640 iDRAC failure constant flashing amber light

I have an R640 no longer under warranty that has an iDRAC that's not working.  The system was unplugged for multiple years because the service we bought it for was instead put in the cloud.  Now we're needing it.  The system does function and is stable running an OS, but the iDRAC module isn't working and resetting it by holding down the iDRAC button in back to reset doesn't resolve the issue.  The light flashes amber every half second.  The biggest reason this is an issue is that rebooting the server takes it a long time due to checking for the iDRAC and requires someone to go into the rack and tell it to continue.

Is there a way to restore the iDRAC firmware on this system?  If so, how can I do it?  I hate to not utilize a system that has so much life left given the power supplies and motherboard probably have less than two months of total use.

DELL-Young E

Moderator

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4.2K Posts

September 18th, 2023 04:08

Hello, thanks for choosing Dell.

In order for us to help you, is it possible for you to upload some screenshots and give us the error messages?

bcmatt

3 Posts

September 18th, 2023 17:25

@DELL-Young E

Sure, I've attached images of what it says while booting up and then in BIOS when you click on iDRAC settings.  As previously mentioned, I've tried holding the i button multiple times and I've tried multiple power removals.

​

DELL-Charles R

Moderator

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3.8K Posts

18-09-2023 18:25 PM

Hello Matthew,

 

Some of the images did not come through.

One did show up and shows: Alert! iDRAC not responding. Continue booting.

 

Try these troubleshooting steps. You have already done a flea power drain but I'm listing it to see if that is the steps you took.

Drain flea power, Clear NVRAM and Minimum to POST configuration.

If at any point you do not get the iDRAC not responding then try to update the iDRAC firmware once you can access it.

 

drain flea power (shut down, disconnect power cables and Network cables, hold in power button 20 seconds with cords removed). After flea power drain, system has to set for 3 minutes for DRAC to reset without any power plugged in, then plug in NIC and power but wait 2 minutes before power on to give DRAC time to initialize.

Check results

 

Clear NVRAM - there is a map under the lid to show the jumper location. Shut down, Set jumper to the Clear position, power on and Post up to the jumper error, shut down and return jumper to original location.

Check results

 

 

Minimum to post (this is minimum components to POST, it won't boot, this is to test POST. If successful POST, put things back a little at a time until find faulting component)

 

The minimum components to allow the PowerEdge R640 to complete POST are:

 

● System board

● Power supply

● One processor (CPU) in socket CPU1 (minimum for troubleshooting)

● One Memory Module (DIMM) installed in socket A1

 

Remove anything not on that list: DVD, Hard drives, PERC controller, backplane, network card, NIC cable, any pcie cards, keyboard, mouse, USB devices, …. anything not on the list remove.

Leave the fans installed.

 

If it does not POST without error, then the issue is with one of those components.

If you get successful POST, put things back a little at a time until you find the faulting component.

 

 

If those don't help, with the iDRAC not responding error, you will likely need to replace the system board. The iDRAC is embedded to the system board.

 

DELL-Charles R

Social Media and Communities Professional
Dell Technologies | Enterprise Support Services
#IWork4Dell

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bcmatt

3 Posts

September 18th, 2023 19:26

@Dell -Charles R​ Yeah, I've tried all of that already.  I thought there was a way to recover the idrac firmware via a USB key or SD card.  Are you saying that's not possible?  Also, the images show up for me even if I try a different computer so I'm pretty sure all 4 are there.

DELL-Charles R

Moderator

 • 

3.8K Posts

18-09-2023 20:45 PM

Hello Matthew,

 

You can try the iDRAC Recovery Procedure. For your iDRAC9 you will use the firmimgFIT.d9 file.

 

To get the firmimgFIT.d9, download the iDRAC_7.00.00.00_A00.exe. Execute to extract files. You will have an firmimgFIT.d9 file.

File Format: An application

File Name: iDRAC_7.00.00.00_A00.exe

https://dell.to/3LsmtU0

 

iDRAC Recovery Procedure directions with firmimg.d7. (use firmimgFIT.d9)

https://dell.to/3rldNrO

 

DELL-Charles R

Social Media and Communities Professional
Dell Technologies | Enterprise Support Services
#IWork4Dell

Did I answer your query? Please click on ‘Accept as Solution’. ‘Thumbs up’ the posts you like!

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