Netra X4200M2, No BIOS or VGA Output after system board replacement

Asset ID:	1-72-1324754.1
Update Date:	2011-06-20
Keywords:

Solution Type Problem Resolution Sure

Solution 1324754.1 : Netra X4200M2, No BIOS or VGA Output after system board replacement

Applies to:

Sun Netra X4200 M2 Server - Version: Not Applicable and later [Release: N/A and later ]
Information in this document applies to any platform.

Symptoms

After system board replacement on Netra X4200M2, the server does not boot (the server would power on, fans on high, but with no BIOS output)

Changes

System board replacement would trigger this issue.

Cause

As documented as Top Issue #2 on the PTS website, the Netra X4200M2 uses the same motherboard as X4200_M2, all motherboards from the RSL are loaded with SunFire X4200M2's BIOS.
Also the Netra product has an identical internal storage subsystem as the SunFire product, the LSI FW revision shipping from the factory is supported on the Netra model as well.
One symptom of using the incorrect version ILOM/BIOS/LSI F/W is, the host will power on, but no Bios output.

Solution

--- Purpose ---

This document was created to work around the "server does not boot" issue after system board replacement on a Netra X4200M2, as BIOS does not get updated if the server cannot be booted.

--- Last Review Date ---

8-Jun-2011

--- Instructions for the Reader ---

As the ILOM is separate from the system board, when replacing system board on the Netra X4200M2 an ILOM/BIOS mismatch can result. This can cause the system will not boot symptom.

--- Troubleshooting Details ---

1. After replacing the system board, follow the instruction from the Service Manual (current part # 820-0063-11) to update the FRU information via "servicetool"
1.1 Log in as sunservice to the ILOM, the password is the same as the root user (as X4200M2 only has ILOM 2.x)
1.2 In the Linux prompt, run the following:
- servicetool --board_replaced=mainboard
2. Update the ILOM/BIOS to the latest, this step would synchronize the ILOM and BIOS (flashing the BIOS to the Netra version)
3. If the server does not power up after this, disconnect the middle cable of the PCI express cable (Part # 371-2638). This will enable the server to boot and update the BIOS.
4. After a successful BIOS update; re-connect the PCI express cable and boot the system normally.

--- Symptoms ---

After system board replacement on Netra X4200M2, the server does not boot (the server would power on, fans on high, but with no BIOS output)

--- Changes ---

System board replacement would trigger this issue.

--- Cause ---

--- Solution ---

1. After replacing the system board, follow the instruction from the Service Manual (current part # 820-0063-11) to update the FRU information via "servicetool"
1.1 Log in as sunservice to the ILOM, the password is the same as the root user (as X4200M2 only has ILOM 2.x)
1.2 In the Linux prompt, run the following:
- servicetool --fru_update=mainboard
2. Update the ILOM/BIOS to the latest, this step would synchronize the ILOM and BIOS (flashing the BIOS to the Netra version)
3. If the server does not power up after this, disconnect the middle cable of the PCI express cable (Part # 371-2638). This will enable the server to boot and update the BIOS.
4. After a successful BIOS update; re-connect the PCI Express cable and boot the system normally.

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