Dell Poweredge 700 Server problems

what OS?
what disk?
no raid card stated, no array stated, no type of array stated.
One can put 100s of RAID cards in this server.
both raid cards or HBA cards,(forJBOD)
i can fix any server, but first need to know what is in the box first
you meant the boot disk has errors, right,? boot.
that would tell me the disk IS BAD.
but if and ARRAY , that means you must run SMART tests
on the disks, 1 by 1 to find the bad disk.
if smart shows its bad, or weak its for sure BAD.
on real servers. the server sends you email, (set up right)
telling you disk 3 in a RAID 6 is bad, replace it now.

are you running hardware or software raid, or HBA or
fake raid cards, (4 classes there.!)

the base system new has.
4 port SAS 5/i integrated SAS controller (no RAID_
and optional, from DELL , news.
Optional PERC 5/i integrated SAS/SATA daughtercard controller with 256MB cache,
PERC 4e/DC, PERC 5/e adapter

or any of 1000s of other aftermarket cards there.
I run LSI 9361s (with MSM appl loaded)
this card will tell you what disk failed every time no kidding.
so will the PERCs setup correctly
the PERCs and my LSI and my HP raids
all have installed monitors for the RAID ,a program that runs full time all the time, and reports errors , many ways,
did you load that first and use it? seems not.
as no mention of SMART at all.
good luck.
Im not sure the names on DELL , MSM like software.
ah its OSA
never run a PERC lacking this APP. or you can not keep the server on line,.

http://www.dell.com/support/search/us/en/04#q=Dell%20OpenManage%20Server%20Administrator&sort=relevancy&f:langFacet=[en]

I don't understand the beep code you describe, but the 2850 has many beep codes to help understand what is going on.

First ... Identify the beep. Does the beep start as soon as you power it on, or after several seconds? What is the pattern of the beep - is it a repeating set of beeps - 3 sets of beeps between 1 and 4 beeps ... like 1 beep-3 beeps-2 beeps, or 3 beeps, 3 beeps, 1 beep? Or is it a steady repeating beep - about once per second?

Second ... is the LCD panel on the server blue or orange? If orange, what is the error code(s) it is scrolling?

If it is a steady, once-per-second beep, it is probably your RAID controller. Does the system boot to Windows/OS ok? If so, use (or install) OpenManage Server Administrator (Managed Node from Dell's Support Site) to check the Hardware Logs and check the RAID array (under Storage/Virtual Disks). If it is not booting to the OS, then go into CTRL-M to see what the status of your array is.

Flashing blue light is harmless - it simply means the Identify button has been pushed. There is a small button with a white, cursive 'i' on the front and back of the server - pressing this will make the light flash blue (or make it stop).

Go to Dell's support site and view the manual for the 1650 for an explanation of the beep code - identify the pattern of the beep.

If you are still able to get to Windows, use OpenManage Server Administrator to check the Hardware logs and RAID array.

Sounds like the RAID controller has failed. I would replace this first as RAID controllers are less expensive than replacing the system board, or the server as a whole.

Suggested: PERC 5i (RAID 0/1/5) or PERC 5iR (RAID 1 or 0 only)

The raid may be fine you need to reinstall the OS.
The best way is to drop the raid array astablish a new raid array then install you new OS on a new raid array.Very nice server you have.

Configure your System bios and reboot. Your Hard disk drive was not configured. Pl configure. it will work properly

Check the version for the Raid Controller. This may need to have the firmware to be upgraded. If the controller is removable, take the controller out and then see if the computer will continue past the bios. If the controller is built-in, then disable it in the bios, and try to see if it will get past the controller setup.
On most system I have worked with, if you are booting from a scsi hard drive, then the bios cannot be set to let any IDE to boot, or the bios must be set to no hard drive to boot. There may be two places in the bios which must be set to no hard drive. Another setting which may make a difference, is the scsi boot setting, if it has it. Another chance is that something is wrong with either the cabling or the controller itself.
As far as the jumper, that may be the erase bios jumper. Usually though, you have to move the jumper to one of two, sometimes three or four jumper. You would simply move the jumper to the erase setting, and then move it back. However, by doing that, you will lose all setting which had been set. Also, if the computer will go past the bios when the controller is removed, that could also mean some thing is wrong with a drive, or the boot drive is not set right in the controller bios. If a scsi drive is a boot drive, that boot drive number must be set right in the bios of the controller.

Check the PowerEdge Raid Controller for parity problems. Sounds like the status on the physical volumes participating in a RAID array has been degraded.

Loud beeping from a drive is usually an indication that an invalid drive array member has resulted in a degraded logical volume.

If you were counting correctly, you had at least three drives - most likely participating in a RAID-5 setup. The array might have been rebuilt with one bad drive. But it sounds like you've got two corrupt physical volumes in the array. And that's not good.

Hope you've got a backup!

The Perc RAID controller in a 2600 doesn't support RAID 4.
You can do RAID 0, RAID 1 and RAID 5.

With 3 HDD's your best bet would be a RAID 5.

Mirroring is RAID 1 (which would only use 2 of the drives)

Hi

Besides standard beeps codes indicating Processor, CPU, Memory or Systemboard failures,
Dell PERC (PowerEdge Expandable Raid Controller) or SAS Controllers (Serial Attached SCSI) generate beeps to alert failures on the RAID sub-system.

From your description of the issues (when the beeps start), i suggest you check PERC or SAS setup. If you have Dell OpenManage Server Administrator installed, you can log-in and check for more information. Additionally, on the next reboot check the PERC/SAS/CERC boot up for any messages. You may also access the PERC (Ctrl+M), SAS (Ctrl+R) CERC (Ctrl+A) Management Menu for specific failures and attempt a rebuild (assuming you have a redundant RAID Volume).

You can also speak with Dell Support and raise a warranty call if the system has warranty.

Note: PowerEdge 840 would ship with PERC or SAS Controller. PowerEdge 700 will ship with PERC or CERC.

Mike