NETFINITY 5500: DIAGNOSTICS HANGS when LOADING DOS ASPI

Subject: NETFINITY 5500: DIAGNOSTICS HANGS when LOADING DOS ASPI
New Netfinity server RETAIN TIP: 

     Record number:       H164207
     Device:              D/T8660
     Model:               M
     Hit count:           UHC00000
     Success count:       USC0000
     Publication code:    PC50
     Tip key:
     Date created:        O98/06/15
     Date last altered:   A98/07/21
     Owning B.U.:         USA

Abstract: NETFINITY 5500: DIAGNOSTICS HANGS when LOADING DOS ASPI

SYMPTOM:

Condition:

The System hangs and displays the following when the Onboard Diagnostics utility is used to test a Faulty Onboard ServeRAID II Controller:

"Loading ROM Diagnostics"
"Starting PC DOS"
"loading .. ipsraspi.sys"

This condition only occurs IF the Onboard ServeRAID II Controller BIOS displays# the following error upon System Boot identifying a Controller fault:

"Adapter is not responding properly"

Sequence of events:

1.  - User powers-up the System.
2.  - System runs POST.
3.  - The following is displayed on the screen:

           _________________________________
          |   IBM ServeRAID Adapter BIOS    |
          |                                 |
          |   BIOS ver: xxx                 |
          |_________________________________|
    

     "Press CTRL-I for MiniConfiguration Utility"
     "Initializing Adapter 1"
     "Power on self test may take up to 59 sec."
     "Drive Configuration may take up to 5 in 59 sec."

4.  - The following error is reported if/when the power on self test fails on the Onboard ServeRAID II Controller:

     "Adapter is not responding properly"

5.  - Subsequently, if Diagnostics is engaged (via <F2>) upon a  reboot of the System, the System will hang when Diagnostics loads the DOS ASPI driver (ipsraspi.sys).  The following is displayed on the screen when the System hangs:

     "Loading ROM Diagnostics"
     "Starting PC DOS"
     "loading .. ipsraspi.sys"

•  The System is any model Netfinity 5500 server Type 8660.
•  The System Board resident Diagnostics version is 1.0  (determined by entering BIOS "Setup", then "System Information", then "Product Data").

1.  - Download the following Diskette Image files:

     "Netfinity 5500 BIOS flash update diskette version 1.01"
     "Netfinity 5500 Diagnostic flash diskette 1 of 2 version 1.01"
     "Netfinity 5500 Diagnostic flash diskette 2 of 2 version 1.01"

    These Diskette Images are available for download from the IBM Website at the following URL:

     http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/files.html

   •  Select "Search"
   •  Type Netfinity 5500 1.01 in the Keywords box - Select "Search"
   •  Select each of the above Diskette Image files to Download

    These files are self-extracting executable files that each create a diskette.

   •  Select and print-out the corresponding readme files.

2.  - Follow the printed directions (from step 1) to update the System BIOS to version 1.01, revision 1.
3.  - Follow the printed directions (from step 1) to upgrade the System Diagnostics to version 1.01.
4.  - Boot the System, press <F2> when prompted to run Diagnostics on the Onboard ServeRAID II Controller to verify this fix.
5.  - Follow normal Problem Determination methods to fix the Onboard ServeRAID II Controller problem.

DETAIL:

Failure detail:

The DOS ASPI driver for the Onboard ServeRAID II Controller (ipsraspi.sys) used in Diagnostics version 1.0 has been found to hang the system.
This ONLY occurs if the Onboard Controller BIOS displays "Adapter is not responding properly" after the BIOS loads during the Boot Process (indicating a problem with the Controller).

FIX detail:

The Diagnostics version 1.01 incorporates a new DOS ASPI driver for the Onboard ServeRAID II Controller which fixes the hang condition, allowing the Diagnostics program to test the ServeRAID II Controller properly.

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