Server will not power on but getting flashing led's

[Dirk]

Went to watch a movie and Emby was not responsive on the Nero server. No choice but to force a shutdown. Server would not restart so I cleared the bios and now when the power button is hit it briefly powers the fans for one second and loops every five seconds with the power and HD activity light flashing every five seconds. For the first eight or so loops it will bump the fans for a second when it flashes the LED but after that, it stops doing that and just flashes the lights.

This suggests to me that the board may have developed a short but if anyone hase some suggestions I'd welcome them. Both servers have been solid for many years but no longer available.

Thanks in advance.

 

[jgreco]

If the boards have IPMI capability, try logging into them to see what the system event log reports.

Older servers may offer a variety of maintenance challenges, including the possibility of a power supply failure, mainboard failure, etc. In some cases, you may be able to repair it by pulling all socketed components (cards, memory, CPU). CPU's in particular can get overheated as their thermal paste often dries out over the years, and repasting a CPU and heatsink has been known to revive a server now and then.

Your hardware manifest makes no reference to your PSU's, and undersizing a PSU is a common mistake that can destroy the PSU over time. We have a section on Proper Power Supply Sizing that explains the theory behind why your NAS may need a larger PSU than you thought, and talks about issues such as fan stalls or HDD spinup current requirements that end up exceeding PSU capabilities.

Most components in a computer age, and it is quite possible to get to a point where you need to replace stuff. An E3-1275 based system will be probably about 10-12 years old at this point, and may be reaching that threshold.

 

[Dirk]

If the boards have IPMI capability, try logging into them to see what the system event log reports.

Older servers may offer a variety of maintenance challenges, including the possibility of a power supply failure, mainboard failure, etc. In some cases, you may be able to repair it by pulling all socketed components (cards, memory, CPU). CPU's in particular can get overheated as their thermal paste often dries out over the years, and repasting a CPU and heatsink has been known to revive a server now and then.

Your hardware manifest makes no reference to your PSU's, and undersizing a PSU is a common mistake that can destroy the PSU over time. We have a section on Proper Power Supply Sizing that explains the theory behind why your NAS may need a larger PSU than you thought, and talks about issues such as fan stalls or HDD spinup current requirements that end up exceeding PSU capabilities.

Most components in a computer age, and it is quite possible to get to a point where you need to replace stuff. An E3-1275 based system will be probably about 10-12 years old at this point, and may be reaching that threshold.

I know they are getting old, but trying to find a replacement (been looking at Supermicro) has not resulted in much fruit. I've just read the hardware guide and X10/X11 comparison.
The PSU is a Corsair RM650. I tried a spare Corsair CX450 but the condition continued. I have a new in box Seasonic GM550 I could try.
If I do have to move on, do you and others of course have a recommendation?
I'll see if i can get into the IPMI but it is Java based and a real pain. Aside from the fact that I don't remember the IP

Edit: I was able to get into the IPMI and event log.. couple of CPUCATERR and a few battery errors on voltage. After boot the dashboard shows all sensors except +3 and +5 to be "not available". This does not change when the power button is hit. I cleared the log to see what would show up and re-started, but nothing comes back.



'

 

[jgreco]

The PSU is a Corsair RM650. I tried a spare Corsair CX450 but the condition continued. I have a new in box Seasonic GM550 I could try.

Your problem there was to check the RM650. The CX450 swapout was probably sufficient to establish that this was not a PSU problem, unless maybe the CX450 is also elderly.

Edit: I was able to get into the IPMI and event log.. couple of CPUCATERR and a few battery errors on voltage. After boot the dashboard shows all sensors except +3 and +5 to be "not available". This does not change when the power button is hit. I cleared the log to see what would show up and re-started, but nothing comes back.

Well that's sort of weird. There will be a link in the maintenance menu to restore the IPMI to defaults, I suggest trying that.

 

[Dirk]

Your problem there was to check the RM650. The CX450 swapout was probably sufficient to establish that this was not a PSU problem, unless maybe the CX450 is also elderly.

I tried the new Seasonic as well and no change so I agree it's unlikely the PSU I wonder if the BIOS got hosed. I get nothing on the screen.and usually see "waiting for BMC

Well that's sort of weird. There will be a link in the maintenance menu to restore the IPMI to defaults, I suggest trying that.

I did that but there was no change. Also just noted that the power supply fan has a heartbeat of starting and stopping with that 5 second interval of the power light.

Thanks for hanging in there jgreco.

 

[rvassar]

Sounds like a power sequencing failure. Most of the "power supply" has been on the motherboard for the last 10+ years. There's low level logic to sequence up each piece in the correct order to bring the system up. Some logic is smarter than others. This will sound funny, but... Unless you can see an obvious swollen capacitor, or failed component... Try replacing the 3v CMOS battery.

 

[Dirk]

Sounds like a power sequencing failure. Most of the "power supply" has been on the motherboard for the last 10+ years. There's low level logic to sequence up each piece in the correct order to bring the system up. Some logic is smarter than others. This will sound funny, but... Unless you can see an obvious swollen capacitor, or failed component... Try replacing the 3v CMOS battery.

Thanks rvasar. I was not aware the mother boards were stepping in the load.

I assume you read the part where the power supply is stepping in and out without and life on the screen? You can hear the relays in the PSU clicking.