HP Builds Lessons Learned

From Tecniq

Some Lessons learned while assembling Proliant servers:

1. The HP firmware update CD (v8.70) has been updated recently (22/01/2010). It lives in my top drawer in the CD wallet, about 4 'pages' from the rear. I have kept the previous version too (v8.60). If you don't have access to my top drawer, then the disk image can be downloaded from here (note I need to check this link to see if you need to authenticate first.)
2. If you experience the fans running at full speed issue, apparently the fix is to enter the BIOS (F9) and select high performance from the power management section. (note - I need to qualify this with an external reference)
3. There is an torx key for the 5 screws in the PCI tray, on the outside rear right of the unit in a little plastic clip.
4. When you upgrade the RAM for the RAID, keep the old RAM and use it if there is a second RAID / HBA card installed (for tape)
5. The cache battery lead can get pinched by the PCI bus tray on the right when you re-insert the tray.
6. The memory modules are loaded onto the motherboard in a certain order, particularly if mixing types (ISTR quad & dual rank mixing). If the system fails to boot and lights up all the memory indicators on the panel at the front, then you got it wrong!
   
   If using a Nehalem CPU (G6? models) the memory banks on the right are for the CPU on the right. The memory banks on the left are for the CPU on the left. If there is no CPU on the left then there should be no memory on the left!
   
   HP have an online tool to assist in the correct arrangement of memory, here
7. The first Ethernet device is the one closest to the power inlets. The iLO port is in the middle.
8. IBM USB keyboards don't seem to work until there is an OS running - so pressing F9 on the keyboard doesn't get you into the BIOS! Use a PS2 keyboard (there are at least 2 in the integration area)