Error When Booting Dell Poweredge 2850

thanksajdotcom

I have an issue when I boot my Dell Poweredge I got from @PSX_Defector . First off, you can see it here:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/iomkarj26oqtn26/2015-01-06 03.53.54.mp4?dl=0

For those who don't watch the 5 second video, this light is flashing orange and the machine is beeping, which can be heard in the video.
http://i.imgur.com/tl5C4x1.jpg

Not sure what's going on and I don't have any experience with Dell servers in this capacity, so I figured I'd reach out for help.

I get no video from either the front or rear input, so it doesn't even appear to be posting.

Thanks,
A.J.

nadnerB

There is a code hidden in the beeps.
Identify the pattern and use this table to decipher the issue: http://www.craigharris.org/server/Dell_2850_Installation_and_Troubleshooting_Guide/t1393c20.htm#wp1096121

thanksajdotcom

@nadnerB said:

There is a code hidden in the beeps.
Identify the pattern and use this table to decipher the issue: http://www.craigharris.org/server/Dell_2850_Installation_and_Troubleshooting_Guide/t1393c20.htm#wp1096121

Thanks. I'll check this out later.

coliver

Don't know if this was the case on the 2850, but on newer models (the last Dell server I used was 3 years ago) they would flash an orange light and refuse to boot if the memory wasn't paired correctly. Not sure if that was/is still the case though.

thanksajdotcom

@coliver said:

Don't know if this was the case on the 2850, but on newer models (the last Dell server I used was 3 years ago) they would flash an orange light and refuse to boot if the memory wasn't paired correctly. Not sure if that was/is still the case though.

That could do it, as I installed new memory. It's DDR2 RAM but I have tried 3x512MB and 3x2GB chips together....they are supposed to be the same speed so that shouldn't be an issue...

scottalanmiller

Did you test the system at all before installing new RAM?

thanksajdotcom

@scottalanmiller said:

Did you test the system at all before installing new RAM?

I didn't, no. I do know one issue that is possible is that some Dell servers require that 4/6 memory slots be filled to even boot (learned this at my first IT job) and the memory has to match. I've got 4x512MB and 3x2GB, and while they're the same speed, etc, maybe something else like the voltage is different about them preventing it from booting.