IBM System X - Teh Forum

<body> <div id="header"> <span class="left"> <span class="back"><a href="lthread_list.php?webtag=DEFAULT"><span class="image mobile_back" title="Back"></span></a></span> <span class="image mobile_logo" title="Beehive Forum Logo"></span> </span> <ul> <li> <a class="reply_all" href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=42546.0&return_msg=42546.1"> <span class="image mobile_reply_all"></span><span class="text">Reply to All</span> </a> </li> <li> <a class="navigation" href="#"> <span class="image mobile_navigation"></span><span class="text">Show messages</span> </a> </li> <li> <a class="main" href="#"><span class="image mobile_menu" title="Menu"></span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="menu main"> <ul> <li><a href="lthread_list.php?webtag=DEFAULT">Messages</a></li> <li><a href="lpm.php?webtag=DEFAULT">Inbox</a></li> <li><a href="lsearch.php?webtag=DEFAULT">Search</a></li> <li><a href="llogon.php?webtag=DEFAULT">Login</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="menu navigation"><a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=42546.1">1–10</a><a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=42546.11">11–20</a><a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=42546.21">21–22</a></div> <div id="page_content"> <h3 class="thread_title"><a href="index.php?webtag=DEFAULT&amp;msg=42546.1">IBM System X</a> </h3> <div id="messages" data-navigation="42546_1_22_10"> <a name="a42546_1"></a><div class="message" id="message_42546_1"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: koswix<span class="message_time"> 2 Feb 2020 23:35</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: ALL<span class="message_count">1 of 22</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=42546.1">42546.1</a></div> <div class="message_body"> Seeing as there's suddenly people here for some reason...<br /> <br /> Anyone have experience with IBM System X servers? I've got a x3100 that's poorly. Was working fine running Ubuntu until it had a weird crash the other week (disappeared off the network, unresponsive to ping or SSH, but samba shares still working fine).<br /> <br /> When I shut it down it refused to restart. I can get as far as the BIOS every 3 boots (think that's a failsafe mechanism), but looks like the IMM has died. Lots of 'can't communicate' errors in the log, and the wee LED that flashes to say the IMM is loading never stops flashing. I've tried the backup BIOS and backup IMM jumpers but with no joy.<br /> <br /> Anyway to flash a new IMM firmware without being able to boot the machine? Any other ideas worth trying? I've done the usual remove everything, reseat everything etc. <br /> <br /> Kinda disappointed if it's totally dead, this thing cost me the best part of £31 on ebay, I really expect more than 18 months service from my obsolete servers.</div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=42546.1&return_msg=42546.1" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="42546.1"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div><a name="a42546_2"></a><div class="message" id="message_42546_2"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: Kenny J (WINGNUTKJ)<span class="message_time"> 3 Feb 2020 08:20</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: koswix <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 3 Feb 2020 10:08"></span></span> <span class="message_count">2 of 22</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=42546.2">42546.2</a> In reply to <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=42546.1#a42546_1" target="_self">42546.1</a></div> <div class="message_body"> I can see why, having spent so much on it, you want to repair it possible. I'm not overly familiar with the system, so let's try the basics first:<br /> <br /> Have you tried increasing the voltage on the AGP Port?</div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=42546.2&return_msg=42546.1" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="42546.2"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div><a name="a42546_3"></a><div class="message" id="message_42546_3"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: koswix<span class="message_time"> 3 Feb 2020 10:09</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: Kenny J (WINGNUTKJ) <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 3 Feb 2020 10:13"></span></span> <span class="message_count">3 of 22</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=42546.3">42546.3</a> In reply to <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=42546.1#a42546_2" target="_self">42546.2</a></div> <div class="message_body"> Ah, well I did think of that but there's no agp slot.<br /> <br /> I did temporarily increase the voltage to the PSU, from 230V AC to 415V AC. That was a few weeks before it died, do you think it could be related?</div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=42546.3&return_msg=42546.1" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="42546.3"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div><a name="a42546_4"></a><div class="message" id="message_42546_4"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: Kenny J (WINGNUTKJ)<span class="message_time"> 3 Feb 2020 10:13</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: koswix <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 3 Feb 2020 10:24"></span></span> <span class="message_count">4 of 22</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=42546.4">42546.4</a> In reply to <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=42546.1#a42546_3" target="_self">42546.3</a></div> <div class="message_body"> Depends - what colour was the smoke that came out? I'm assuming smoke came out.</div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=42546.4&return_msg=42546.1" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="42546.4"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div><a name="a42546_5"></a><div class="message" id="message_42546_5"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: william (WILLIAMA)<span class="message_time"> 3 Feb 2020 10:20</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: koswix <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 3 Feb 2020 10:24"></span></span> <span class="message_count">5 of 22</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=42546.5">42546.5</a> In reply to <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=42546.1#a42546_1" target="_self">42546.1</a></div> <div class="message_body"> looks fairly simple from the IBM manuals. You try recovery using the backup IMM start code by means of the IMM backup jumper <br /> <div class="quotetext"><strong>Quote:</strong> </div> <div class="quote">If the IMM starts up successfully, follow the remaining steps to finish the recovery procedure. Otherwise, replace the system board</div> <br /> You aren't helped by the fact that even if you could flash the IMM firmware it looks as though you need an activation key.</div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=42546.5&return_msg=42546.1" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="42546.5"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div><a name="a42546_6"></a><div class="message" id="message_42546_6"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: koswix<span class="message_time"> 3 Feb 2020 10:25</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: Kenny J (WINGNUTKJ) <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 3 Feb 2020 10:28"></span></span> <span class="message_count">6 of 22</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=42546.6">42546.6</a> In reply to <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=42546.1#a42546_4" target="_self">42546.4</a></div> <div class="message_body"> Didn't see what colour, server lives in the loft.<br /> <br /> The smoke from my AV receiver was acrid grey, if that's any help.</div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=42546.6&return_msg=42546.1" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="42546.6"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div><a name="a42546_7"></a><div class="message" id="message_42546_7"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: koswix<span class="message_time"> 3 Feb 2020 10:27</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: william (WILLIAMA) <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 3 Feb 2020 10:36"></span></span> <span class="message_count">7 of 22</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=42546.7">42546.7</a> In reply to <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=42546.1#a42546_5" target="_self">42546.5</a></div> <div class="message_body"> New board on eBay is £150 T-T<br /> <br /> I think you only need the code/license for the advanced features? The basic functionality should just work, I think.</div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=42546.7&return_msg=42546.1" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="42546.7"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div><a name="a42546_8"></a><div class="message" id="message_42546_8"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: william (WILLIAMA)<span class="message_time"> 3 Feb 2020 10:37</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: koswix <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 3 Feb 2020 10:44"></span></span> <span class="message_count">8 of 22</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=42546.8">42546.8</a> In reply to <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=42546.1#a42546_7" target="_self">42546.7</a></div> <div class="message_body"> Hmm<br /> <br /> £150 vs £31<br /> <br /> Are you tempted? Pity you've just had your birthday, haven't you?</div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=42546.8&return_msg=42546.1" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="42546.8"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div><a name="a42546_9"></a><div class="message" id="message_42546_9"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: william (WILLIAMA)<span class="message_time"> 3 Feb 2020 11:01</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: koswix <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 3 Feb 2020 11:23"></span></span> <span class="message_count">9 of 22</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=42546.9">42546.9</a> In reply to <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=42546.1#a42546_7" target="_self">42546.7</a></div> <div class="message_body"> I didn't bother digging very far because it started to remind me of work so I got all panicky and cold-sweaty and stopped, but what is the flash procedure? I saw that there's a web method (which seems a bit dumb, at least in an emergency, since the IMM controls the network).<br /> <br /> We had a little server room at the end of the corridor with a rack of switches and some servers. There was an ancient free-standing server that had been running for years but nobody knew what it was because it wasn't on any network plans and the sticky label had dropped off. Some Network people were mucking about with re-routing some new staff workstations and one of then decided to reboot it using the big button on the front. I did suggest that plugging in the spare monitor that was standing about a foot away just to check first might be clever, but that earned me a sneer. That wouldn't restart either. turned out to be something crucial to do with Stamp Duty. Cost more than £150 on ebay to rebuild.</div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=42546.9&return_msg=42546.1" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="42546.9"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div><a name="a42546_10"></a><div class="message" id="message_42546_10"> <div class="message_header"> <div class="message_from"> From: koswix<span class="message_time"> 3 Feb 2020 11:30</span> <div class="clearer"></div> </div><div class="message_to">To: william (WILLIAMA) <span><span class="image post_read" title="Read: 3 Feb 2020 18:46"></span></span> <span class="message_count">10 of 22</span><div class="clearer"></div> </div> </div> <div class="message_links"> <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=42546.10">42546.10</a> In reply to <a href="lmessages.php?webtag=DEFAULT&msg=42546.1#a42546_9" target="_self">42546.9</a></div> <div class="message_body"> The flash procedure seems to be "do it via the the web interface, if the IMM won't load, boot the backup IMM and do it via the web interface".<br /> <br /> As far as I could see in the manual, if the backup IMM won't load either, replace the motherboard. Surely must be a header somewhere I could flash from, though?<br /> <br /> Struggling to find any cheap replacement boxes on eBay, thankfully it's just a Plex and file storage server of little consequence to anything mission critical - glad I'm not trying to explain to the bean counters why the beans are no longer being counted.</div> <div class="message_footer"> <div class="message_footer_links"><a href="lpost.php?webtag=DEFAULT&reply_to=42546.10&return_msg=42546.1" class="reply"><span class="image post"></span>Reply</a></div> <div class="message_vote_form" data-msg="42546.10"> <span class="rating">0/0</span> <span class="image vote vote_down vote_down_off" title="Vote Down"></span> <span class="image vote vote_up vote_up_off" title="Vote Up"></span> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="message_page_footer"> <ul> <li class="right_col"><form accept-charset="utf-8" method="get" action="lmessages.php" target="_self"><input type="hidden" name="webtag" id="webtag" class="bhinputtext" value="DEFAULT" dir="ltr" /><input type="hidden" name="msg" id="msg" class="bhinputtext" value="42546.11" dir="ltr" /><input type="submit" name="submit" id="keep_reading" value="Keep reading…" class="button" /></form></li> </ul> </div> </div> </body>