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Serverboard S5500BC restarting randomly

CSpib
Novice
4,143 Views

I'm having issues with my configuration of an S5500BC, on the latest 64 BIOS, 32GB RDIMM (4x8), with 2x e5620 Xeons.

The Chassis is a Intel SC5650BRP which has a 600w PSU installed.

Randomly, the system will restart, it is running unRaid which is based on linux, but I am unable to capture a kernel panic, its almost as if someone has turned off the power then turned it back on. I have monitored this by setting up a webcam to watch the console output on the VGA screen. Sometimes it will run for a few hours, or a few days before rebooting, it doesn't seem to correlate to periods of high activity or usage on the system.

The error manager in the BIOS is blank, I have not yet checked the SEL log.

All the components test fine, I've ran tests on the memory and CPU's, the memory has actually been completely replaced with a different brand and the problem persists.

I have seen a couple of other threads on here with similar issues, but ultimately, no solution.

The board has come to me second hand so I don't know the history, its not impossible that it might just be failing given its age.

Any thoughts?

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiJ14LH0qbTAhVM7BQKHRcNA3UQjhwIBQ&url=http://picclick.com/Intel-SC5650BRP-5U-Rack-or-Pedestal-Server-Chassis-252448689888.html&psig=AFQjCNEJtf2QIywlChfsDjCiN81IjaMzfQ&ust=1492351983590332 Intel SC5650BRP
21 Replies
idata
Employee
1,562 Views

Hello cspiby,

If possible, could you test the Server with a different Power supply(PSU)?

Additionally, could you provide us with thehttps://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/25440/System-Event-Log-SEL-Viewer-Utility SEL log for further investigation on this matter?

You could download the System Event Log (SEL) Viewer Utility from https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/25440/System-Event-Log-SEL-Viewer-Utility https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/25440/System-Event-Log-SEL-Viewer-Utility

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Best regards,

 

Caesar B.
CSpib
Novice
1,562 Views

I attempted to get the sel log using the efi shell but it hung with a message that stated gathering info and putting it into human readable format (or words to that effect).

My webcam caught the last reboot, the screen just went black as if someone pressed the reset button.

I have noticed that from a cold boot with the pen drive I boot from in, I sometimes get the normal double beep, followed by 5 beeps in a lower tone, then system then posts as normal.

What does this beep code refer to?

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idata
Employee
1,562 Views

Hello Carl,

I am sorry to hear the process of getting the SEL log hung with that error message.

Could you please check the beep codes again to see if they could be Identified within any of the following:

You could refer to http://www.intel.com/content/dam/support/us/en/documents/motherboards/server/s5500bc/sb/e42249009_s5500bc_tps_1_9.pdf Intel® Serverboard S5500BC TPS on page 138 for more information.

In the meantime, as a troubleshooting step, you could try flashing the latest Firmware from https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/23893/Firmware-update-package-for-Extensible-Firmware-Interface-EFI- Download Firmware update package for Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) .

Warnings:

Do NOT reboot or shut down power from your system during following software update!!

 

Ensure BMC 00.40 or later is installed in your system prior to running this BIOS update!!

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Best regards,

 

Caesar B.
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CSpib
Novice
1,562 Views

I have just captured a crash with a webcam, the beep code after the screen went black was 1-5-4-2 which indicates power fault or failure.

I have already tried another 600w PSU from a different chassis so it's extremely unlikely to be that.

I seem to be able to reproduce the issue sometimes by generating high-i/o on the system but it doesn't happen every time. Surely the power supply can handle powering 2 xeons, 6 hdds, an addin card (LSI HBA) and 8x 4gb rdimms?

Link to crash video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xVFeF6Xq-4&feature=youtu.be Intel SC5500BC Crash and Beep Code - YouTube

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idata
Employee
1,562 Views

Hello Carl,

 

 

The beep code 1-5-4-2 indicates a power fault DC power unexpectedly lost (Power good dropout). You can get a 1-5-4-2 beep sequence on boot, which indicates a power fault or failure. To resolve this issue:
  1. Remove and reinsert the power supply or power supplies.
  2. If your system supports dual or redundant power supplies, start up your computer using a single power supply.
  3. Update the motherboard system firmware to https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/23893/Firmware-update-package-for-Extensible-Firmware-Interface-EFI- the latest version.

Since we cannot get the SEL log because it hangs with an error, could you please let us know what Linux distribution are you using?

 

Additionally, could you get the /var/log /messages and/or /var/log/syslog depending on your Linux Distribution.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, visit the http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/warranty-center.html Warranty Center for support options.

Best regards,

 

Caesar B.
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idata
Employee
1,562 Views

Hello Carl,

 

 

Since we are unable to get the logs through the EFI shell we could give it a try to the https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/18895/System-Information-Retrieval-Utility-for-Windows-?product=61104 Windows version of the tool. You could additionally install the https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/20994/Intel-Active-System-Console-for-Intel-Server-Systems-and-Intel-Server-Boards-Based-on-the-Intel-Xeon-Processor-5500-and-3000-Sequence?product=61104 Intel Active System Console to see if it displays more information about the possible root cause of this. I am hoping that we gather more information about this issue before we consider replacing this board if it is still under warranty. Feel free to reach out to us if you have any additional questions.

 

 

Best regards,

 

Caesar B.

 

 

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CSpib
Novice
1,562 Views

I appreciate your assistance, however the board most certainly is no longer under warranty.

I am unable to do much testing with the machine as although it is unstable, it is still in use until I can migrate to other hardware.

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idata
Employee
1,562 Views

Hello Carl,

 

 

Thanks for the update.

 

 

I am sorry to hear the board is no longer under warranty. However, since the board is in use, If could be good to follow our recommendations if at all possible, in order to determine the root of the issue.

 

 

Please let us know if further assistance is needed.

 

 

Best regards,

 

Caesar B.
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idata
Employee
1,562 Views

Hello Carl,

 

 

Thanks for the update.

 

 

We are wondering if you were able to follow our recommendations in order to solve the issue and if further assistance is required?

 

 

Please let us know if you have any more questions.

 

 

Best regards,

 

Caesar B.
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idata
Employee
1,562 Views

Hello Carl,

 

 

We are wondering if you were able to follow our recommendations in order to solve the issue and if further assistance is required?

 

 

Please let us know if you have any more questions.

 

 

Regards,

 

Caesar B.
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idata
Employee
1,562 Views

To me, it doesn't have enough power and the PSU (hopefully the only thing) has been damaged.

 

If I hypothesize (since your hardware configuration is unclear) a median with a hypothetical Xeon of 245 Watts, two of these plus your motherboard are already at 585 watts.

 

If you add 6x sata hard drives (for example, WD Caviar Blue 500 GB SATA Hard Drives WD5000AAKS) you have 8.77 Watts in Read/Write or 8.40 Watts while idle, per hard drive, meaning a total of 52.62 in R/W, drives alone...

 

Way over your PSU capabilities.

 

Maybe, just maybe, that's the case.

 

Not only that, but always add a +5% / -5% efficiency for the PSU and the hardware more in general.Various factors can increase the power requirements.
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CSpib
Novice
1,562 Views

Switched to another S5500BC and so far (kiss of death), it's been fine.

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idata
Employee
1,562 Views

LOL

Anyway, do the sum of the output requirements and stay 100 watts ahead of the max required as a precaution.

 

If, for example, you need 580 watts and the psu is 600, to me, it's like running on the edge of a knife(overheating can fry parts of the psu which could then start a cascade of failures throughout the hardware components ).
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CSpib
Novice
1,562 Views

TDP of the 2 xeons in question are 80w each. So I can't see it being a PSU issue, add the fact that I lifted the drives and controller into a S5000VSA and it also ran happily in there with 2x LGA775 E5120s for days.

I will update you if it keels over and dies and concede its a PSU issue if it happens again

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idata
Employee
1,562 Views

I was just saying that for the sake of the discussion, how could I know your power requirements without the full hardware list?

 

What Xeon are you using btw? I didn't know there were Xeon CPUs with such a low power requirement.
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idata
Employee
1,562 Views

Also, unless fanless, did you count the fans ?

 

Some systems may consume up to 30 watts or more, just for the fans!
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idata
Employee
1,562 Views

Keep us posted with your findings and let us know if you need further assistance with this matter.

 

 

Best Regards,

 

 

Steven V.
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idata
Employee
1,562 Views

Hello,

 

 

Thank you for contacting Intel Customer Support.

 

As an additional recommendation, please try to download and the install the Power Budget Tool for Intel® Servers at

 

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/boards-and-kits/000008371.html http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/boards-and-kits/000008371.html

 

 

Please do not hesitate to contact us again if you need further assistance.

 

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idata
Employee
1,562 Views

Hello Carl,

 

 

We are wondering if you were able to download and install the Power Budget Tool for Intel® Servers from http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/boards-and-kits/000008371.html http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/boards-and-kits/000008371.html and if further assistance is required.

 

 

Best regards,

 

Caesar B.

 

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CSpib
Novice
1,453 Views
System Totals+3.3V (amps)+5V (amps)+12V (amps)-12V (amps)5VSB (amps)Max 3.3v/5v (watts)Total System WattsProcessors - Qty 2:0.000.0012.850.000.000.00154.22PCI Cards - Qty 1:0.000.000.000.000.000.000.00Hard Drives - Qty 6:0.003.905.160.000.0019.5081.42Serverboard & Memory:1.382.368.260.000.8816.35119.84Chassis & Peripherals:0.000.005.190.000.000.0062.28System Totals:1.386.2631.460.000.8835.85417.75Power Supply Limits:20.0024.0043.000.503.00140.00600.00Margins to Limit:18.6217.7411.540.502.12104.15182.25

The system is still running after 3 days and 22 hours of uptime.

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