Acer Altos R5250 Series User’s Guide
Copyright © 2007 Acer Incorporated All Rights Reserved. Acer Altos R5250 Series User’s Guide Changes may be made periodically to the information in this publication without obligation to notify any person of such revision or changes. Such changes will be incorporated in new editions of this manual or supplementary documents and publications.
iii Notices FCC declaration of conformity This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
iv However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.
v Remarque à l'intention des utilisateurs canadiens Cet appareil numérique de la classe A est conforme a la norme NMB-003 du Canada. Laser compliance statement The CD or DVD drive used with this computer is a laser product. The CD or DVD drive's classification label (shown below) is located on the drive. CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT CAUTION: INVISIBLE LASER RADIATION WHEN OPEN. AVOID EXPOSURE TO BEAM. APPAREIL A LASER DE CLASSE 1 PRODUIT LASERATTENTION: RADIATION DU FAISCEAU LASER INVISIBLE EN CAS D'OUVERTURE.
vi CE Declaration of conformity We, Acer Computer (Shanghai) Limited 3F, No. 168 Xizang Medium Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China Contact Person: Mr. Easy Lai Tel: 886-2-8691-3089 Fax: 886-2-8691-3120 E-mail: easy_lai@acer.com.
vii Declaration of conformity for EU countries Hereby, Acer, declares that this PC series is in compliance with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of Directive 1999/5/EC.
viii Information for your safety and comfort Safety instructions Read these instructions carefully. Keep this document for future reference. Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the product. Turning the product off before cleaning Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a damp cloth for cleaning.
ix • Slots and openings are provided for ventilation to ensure reliable operation of the product and to protect it from overheating. These openings must not be blocked or covered. The openings should never be blocked by placing the product on a bed, sofa, rug or other similar surface. This product should never be placed near or over a radiator or heat register, or in a built-in installation unless proper ventilation is provided.
x Warning! The grounding pin is a safety feature. Using a power outlet that is not properly grounded may result in electric shock and/or injury. Note: The grounding pin also provides good protection from unexpected noise produced by other nearby electrical devices that may interfere with the performance of this product. • Use the product only with the supplied power supply cord set.
xi • the product exhibits a distinct change in performance, indicating a need for service • the product does not operate normally after following the operating instructions Note: Adjust only those controls that are covered by the operating instructions, since improper adjustment of other controls may result in damage and will often require extensive work by a qualified technician to restore the product to normal condition.
xii Tips and information for comfortable use Computer users may complain of eyestrain and headaches after prolonged use. Users are also at risk of physical injury after long hours of working in front of a computer. Long work periods, bad posture, poor work habits, stress, inadequate working conditions, personal health and other factors greatly increase the risk of physical injury. Incorrect computer usage may lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, tenosynovitis or other musculoskeletal disorders.
xiii Taking care of your vision Long viewing hours, wearing incorrect glasses or contact lenses, glare, excessive room lighting, poorly focused screens, very small typefaces and low-contrast displays could stress your eyes. The following items provide suggestions on how to reduce eyestrain. • • Eyes • Rest your eyes frequently. • Give your eyes regular breaks by looking away from the monitor and focusing on a distant point. • Blink frequently to keep your eyes from drying out.
xiv Developing good work habits Develop the following work habits to make your computer use more relaxing and productive: • Take short breaks regularly and often. • Perform some stretching exercises. • Breathe fresh air as often as possible. • Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy body. Warning! We do not recommend using the computer on a couch or bed. If this is unavoidable, work for only short periods, take breaks regularly, and do some stretching exercises.
1 System tour System features Performance Mechanical Environmental External and internal structure Front bezel Front panel Rear panel Internal components System boards Mainboard Backplane board System LED indicators Front panel LED indicators Hot-plug HDD LED indicator LAN port LED indicators 2 System setup Setting up the system Pre-installation requirements Connecting peripherals Turning on the system Power-on problems Configuring the system OS Turning off the system 3 System upgrade Installation precaut
xvi Pre-installation instructions Post-installation instructions Opening the server Removing and installing the front bezel Removing and installing the top cover Removing and installing the air duct Configuring the storage devices Removing and installing a hard disk drive Installing and removing a slim-line optical drive Replacing a system fan Upgrading the processor Processor upgrading guidelines Upgrading the system memory Memory module population guidelines Installing an expansion card Installing the SAS
xvii 5 System troubleshooting Resetting the system Initial system startup problems Initial troubleshooting checklist Hardware diagnostic testing Checking the boot-up status Verifying the condition of the storage devices Confirming loading of the operating system Specific problems and corrective actions 85 87 88 89 90 90 91 91 92 Appendix A: Server management tools 97 Server management overview RAID configuration utilities Onboard SATA RAID Configuration Utility SAS Daughter Board Configuration Utility
xviii
1 System tour
The Altos R5250 is a feature-rich server equipped with numerous high performance features to provide easy server set up, remote management, highly reliable shared storage, and handle more demanding database or high transaction applications.
3 System features Listed below are the key features of the Acer Altos R5250 server.
4 1 System tour • Dual-processor supports memory capacity of 64 GB • Supports dual-channel DDR2 memory per processor • Supports memory sparing technology PCI interface • • Full height riser slot • One PCI Express x16 bus slots • One PCI-X 133 slot (optional) One PCI Express x8 bus slot dedicated to the SAS RAID or SAS daughter board Video controller • Integrated XGI Z9s chipset with 16 MB DDR SDRAM • Optional add-on graphic card support Networking • Two Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports (RJ-45)
5 I/O ports • Two front USB 2.0 ports • Monitor port • PS/2 keyboard port • Two rear USB 2.
6 1 System tour • Acer Server Management (ASM) 8.0 • Acer eBusiness Value Pack (optional) • Acer eBusiness ValueSTOR (optional) Mechanical Chassis • Tool-less chassis design for easy hardware access and configuration • Rack-mount (1U, tray-less) setup option • Weight: 16.8 kg (37.04 lbs) • Dimensions • Height: 43.2 mm (1.70 in) • Depth: 430.2 mm (16.94 in) • Width: 677.6 mm (26.
7 External and internal structure Front bezel The front bezel provides an interface for system management via status LED indicators. The light pipes on the backside of the front bezel allow the system status LEDs to be monitored when the front bezel is closed. The front bezel is removable to allow access to the server’s hard drives, peripheral device, and control panel. For details on how to remove the front bezel, see “To remove the front bezel” section on page 29.
8 1 System tour Front panel C D E F G H I J NMI A B Item Icon Component A Slim-line optical drive B 3.5” hot-plug HDD bays C USB ports D Non-maskable interrupt (NMI) button Puts the server in a halt-state for diagnostic purposes and allows you to issue a non-maskable interrupt. E, F LAN port 1 and 2 connection indicators G HDD activity indicator H Status/fault indicator I System ID button Toggles the front panel ID LED and the mainboard system ID LED on and off.
9 Rear panel A B J C D E F G H I Item Component A Power supply module B Power supply cooling fan C PS2 mouse port D PS2 keyboard port E Serial port F Monitor port G USB 2.
10 1 System tour Internal components Item Component A System fan modules B SAS RAID or SAS daughter board slot C PCI riser card D Air duct E Power supply
11 System boards Mainboard The mainboard becomes accessible once you open the system. It should look like the figure shown below.
12 1 System tour No. Code Description 1 KB_MS1 Top: PS/2 mouse port Bottom: PS/2 keyboard port 2 COMA1 Serial port 3 VGA1 Monitor port 4 R_USB1 USB 2.
13 No.
14 1 System tour Backplane board The backplane board installed on the rear side of the hot-plug drive bay provides support for both SAS and SATA2 hard drives. No.
15 System LED indicators This section describes the different LED indicators located on the: • Front panel • Hot-plug HDD carrier • LAN port Knowing what each LED indicator signifies can aid in problem diagnosis and troubleshooting. Front panel LED indicators The six LED indicators mounted on the front panel allow the constant monitoring of basic system functions. These indicators remain visible even when the bezel door is closed.
16 1 System tour Indicator Color Status Description Status/fault* Green On System in normal mode. Amber On Critical system threshold breach Access the Setup utility and view the system event log for details. * The status/fault LED indicator is only enabled when the optional BMC module is installed on the mainboard. To purchase this option, contact your local Acer representative. Hot-plug HDD LED indicator A drive activity LED indicator is mounted on the hot-plug HDD carrier.
2 System setup
This chapter gives you instructions on how to set up the system. Procedures on how to connect peripherals are also explained.
19 Setting up the system Pre-installation requirements Selecting a site Before unpacking and installing the system, select a suitable site for the system for maximum efficiency.
20 2 System setup Connecting peripherals Refer to the illustration below for specific connection instructions on the peripherals you want to connect to the system. Note: Consult the operating system manual for information on how to configure the network setup.
21 Turning on the system After making sure that you have properly set up the system, applied power, and connected all necessary peripherals, you can now power on the system. To power on the system: 1 Remove the front bezel (A). 2 Press the power button (B). B A The system starts up and displays a welcome message on the monitor. After that, a series of POST messages appears. The POST messages indicate if the system is running well or not.
22 2 System setup Power-on problems If the system does not boot after you have applied power, check the following factors that might have caused the boot failure. • The external power cord may be loosely connected. Check the power cord connection from the power source to the power supply module AC input connector on the rear panel. Make sure that the power cord is properly connected to the power source and to the AC input connector. • No power comes from the grounded power outlet.
23 Configuring the system OS The Acer Altos R5250 server comes with Acer EasyBUILD that allows you to conveniently install your choice of operating system. To start using EasyBUILD, follow the steps below. 1 Locate the EasyBUILD DVD included in the system package. 2 With the system turned on, gently press the optical drive’s Stop/ Eject button. 3 When the disc tray slides open, insert the EasyBUILD DVD with the label or title side of the disc facing upward.
24 2 System setup Turning off the system There are two ways to turn off the server—via software or via hardware. The software procedure below applies to a system running on Windows OS. For further OS shutdown procedures, refer to the related user documentation. To turn off the system via software: 1 Press the Ctrl+Alt+Delete on the attached keyboard or click the Start on the Windows taskbar. 2 Select Shut Down. 3 Select Shut down from the drop-down window then click on OK.
3 System upgrade
This chapter discusses the precautionary measures and installation procedures you need to know to upgrade the system.
27 Installation precautions Before you install any server component, we recommend that you read the following sections. These sections contain important ESD precautions along with pre-installation and post-installation instructions. ESD precautions Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage the processor, disk drives, expansion boards, motherboard, memory modules and other server components.
28 3 System upgrade Pre-installation instructions Perform the steps below before you open the server or before your remove or replace any component: Warning! Failure to properly turn off the server before you start installing components may cause serious damage. Do not attempt the procedures described in the following sections unless you are a qualified service technician. 1 Turn off the system and all the peripherals connected to it. 2 Unplug all cables from the power outlets.
29 Opening the server Caution! Before you proceed, make sure that you have turned off the system and all peripherals connected to it. Read the “Pre-installation instructions” on page 28. You need to open the server before you can install additional components. The front bezel and top cover are removable to allow access to the system’s internal components. Refer to the following sections for instructions.
30 3 System upgrade To install the front bezel: 1 Line up the center notch on both ends of the bezel with the center guide on the rack handles. 2 Slide the front bezel onto the chassis until it clicks into place.
31 Removing and installing the top cover To remove the top cover: 1 Perform the pre-installation instructions described on page 28. 2 Remove the screw located on the top cover (A). 3 Press and hold the release button (B), then slide the cover toward the back of the chassis and lift the top cover away from the server (C). 4 Put the top cover aside for reinstallation later.
32 3 System upgrade To install the top cover: 1 Perform the pre-installation instructions described on page 28. 2 Place the top cover on the chassis so that the tabs on the cover align with the slots on the chassis. 3 Slide the top cover toward the front of the chassis until it is fully closed (A). 4 Replace the screw on the top cover (B).
33 Removing and installing the air duct Caution! Always operate your server with the air duct installed to ensure reliable and continued operation. To remove the air duct: You will need to remove the air duct to perform the following procedures: • Removing and installing a processor • Removing and installing the memory modules 1 Perform the pre-installation instructions described on page 28. 2 Lift the air duct from the chassis.
34 3 System upgrade To install the air duct: 1 Perform the pre-installation instructions described on page 28. 2 Place the air duct over the two processor sockets. The front edge of the air duct should touch the front fan module and the top of the installed air duct should be flush with the top of the PCI riser assembly. Caution! Do not pinch or unplug cables that may be near or under the air duct. 3 Observe the post-installation instructions described on page 28.
35 Configuring the storage devices The system accommodates slim-line optical drives and can support up to three 3.5-inch hot-plug SAS/SATA2 hard disk drives. Removing and installing a hard disk drive Note: Use only Acer-qualified SAS or SATA2 HDDs. To purchase a SAS or SATA2 HDD, contact your local Acer representative. Caution! To ensure proper airflow and server cooling, all drive bays must contain either a carrier with a hard drive installed in it or a hard disk carrier cover.
36 3 System upgrade 4 Press the HDD carrier latch (A). 5 Pull the lever and slide the carrier from the chassis (B). B A 6 Observe the post-installation instructions described on page 28. For instructions on how to install a new hard disk, refer to the next section. To install an HDD: Note: To puchase a HDD carrier, contact your local Acer representative. 1 Perform steps 1 through 6 described in the “To remove an HDD” section on page 35.
37 3 Remove the new HDD from its protective packaging. 4 Install the new HDD to the HDD carrier. (1) Install a hard disk on the HDD carrier (A). (2) Secure it with the four screws that came with the HDD carrier (B). A B B 5 With the lever still extended, slide the HDD carrier all the way into the drive bay (A). Do not push on the lever until it begins to close by itself. 6 Use the lever to push the HDD carrier until it docks into place, then close the HDD carrier lever (B).
38 3 System upgrade Installing and removing a slim-line optical drive Note: The slim-line optical drive is not hot-pluggable. Before removing or replacing the drive, you must first power down the server, unplug the AC power cord from the system, and turn off all peripherals devices connected to the server. To install a slim-line optical drive: 1 Perform the pre-installation instructions described on page 28. 2 Remove the access panel.
39 3 Remove the new drive from its protective packaging. 4 Install the interposer board on the rear of the optical drive (C), then secure it with the two screws (D). 5 Align the two holes at the left edge of the optical drive with the cutouts in the chassis, then secure it with the two screws (E). D C E E 6 Connect the power (F) and data (G) cables to the interposer board.
40 7 3 System upgrade Replace the access panel. (1) Place the access panel on the chassis, then slide the panel toward the front of the chassis until it is fully closed (A). (2) Secure it with the eight screws you removed earlier (B). 8 Observe the post-installation instructions described on page 28.
41 To remove a slim-line optical drive: 1 Perform the pre-installation instructions described on page 28. 2 Remove the front bezel. Perform the instructions described in “To remove the front bezel” section on page 29. 3 Remove the access panel. Perform step 2 described in the “To install a slim-line optical drive” section on page 38. 4 Disconnect the data and power cables from the rear of the optical drive. 5 Remove the two screws that secure the optical drive to the chassis.
42 3 System upgrade Replacing a system fan Altos R5250 system includes six dual-rotor easy-swap system fan modules to provide adequate airflow and keep system running cool. To replace the system fan: 1 Perform the pre-installation instructions described on page 28. Warning! The system fan becomes very hot when the system is on. Allow it to cool off first before handling. 2 Identify the defective fan. 3 Disconnect the system fan cable from the backplane board.
43 Upgrading the processor Processor upgrading guidelines The server supports two socket F (1207-pin) processor sockets supporting dual-core or quad-core AMD Opteron processors. You have the option to upgrade the default processor or install a second one for a dual-processor configuration. Observe the following guidelines when replacing or installing a processor: • Use only Acer-qualified CPUs. • The processor 1 socket must always be populated.
44 3 3 System upgrade Remove the heat sink. (1) Loosen the two screws on the heat sink (A). (2) Pull the heat sink away from the CPU (B). B A CPU2 CPU1 (3) Lay down the heat sink in an upright position—with the thermal patch facing upward. Do not let the thermal patch touch the work surface. (4) Use an alcohol pad to wipe off the thermal grease from both the heat sink and the processor socket retention plate. 4 Remove the default processor.
45 6 Remove the new processor from its protective packaging. 7 Install the new processor. (1) Hold the processor by its edges, then insert it in the socket (A). Make sure the alignment tabs on the socket fit the two notch located on the edge of the processor. The pins are keyed in such a way that you cannot install the processor in the wrong orientation without bending the pins. (2) Close the retention plate (B). (3) Engage the load lever back into place (C).
46 3 System upgrade (2) Set the heat sink over the processor, aligning the two captive screws with the two screw posts surrounding the processor (A). (3) Loosely screw in the captive screws on the heat sink (B). Note: Do not fully tighten one screw before tightening another. (4) Gradually and equally tighten each captive screw until each is firmly tightened. A B CPU2 CPU1 10 Observe the post-installation instructions described on page 28.
47 Upgrading the system memory Acer Altos R5250 server supports sixteen DDR2 DIMM slots. The DIMM slots support dual channel DDR2-667 registered ECC memory modules. Important: When you are using a single-processor server, you should install a pair of identical modules into the DIMM A1 and B1, DIMM A2 and B2, DIMM A3 and B3, or DIMM A4 and B4 slots. The DIMM C1 to DIMM D4 slots are enabled when a second processor is installed on the mainboard.
48 3 System upgrade • Identical modules—same specification for size, speed, and organization must be installed in the same colored DIMM slots. • Observe the population sequence in the table below when installing a memory module in a single processor or dual-processor configuration.
49 To install a DIMM: Warning! DIMM of the identical size, speed, and organization must be installed in the same colored DIMM slots. 1 Perform the pre-installation instructions described on page 28. 2 Remove the air duct. Perform the instructions described in “To remove the air duct” section on page 33. 3 Locate the DIMM slots on the mainboard. 4 Align then insert the DIMMs into the sockets (A). 5 Press the holding clips inward to lock the DIMM in place (B).
50 3 System upgrade To remove a DIMM: Important: Before removing any DIMM from the mainboard, make sure to create a backup file of all important data. 1 Perform the pre-installation instructions described on page 28. 2 Remove the air duct to access the DIMM slots. Perform the instructions described in “To remove the air duct” section on page 33. 3 Press the holding clips on both sides of the DIMM slot outward to release the DIMM (A).
51 Installing an expansion card To install an expansion card: 1 Perform the pre-installation instructions described on page 28. 2 Remove the PCI riser assembly. (1) Loosen the thumbscrew on the metal bracket (A). (2) Gently pull the riser assembly to disengage from the chassis, then lift the riser assembly from the chassis (B). B A 3 Remove the new expansion card from its packaging, handling it by the edges.
52 5 3 System upgrade Install the expansion card. (1) Align and insert the PCI card until it seats in the slot bracket (A). Make sure the card is properly seated. (2) Secure the card with the screw removed earlier (B). A B 6 Install the PCI riser assembly. (1) Position the riser assembly over the PCI riser slot on the mainboard, then push the riser assembly down until the assembly is securely seated (C). (2) Tighten the thumbscrew to secure the assembly to the chassis (D).
53 Installing the SAS daughter board This section includes instructions on how to install a SAS daughter board and a SAS RAID daughter board. To install the SAS daughter board: 1 Perform the pre-installation instructions described on page 28. 2 Locate the SAS daughter board slot. 3 Remove the SAS daughter board from its protective packaging, handling it by the edges.
54 3 System upgrade To install the SAS RAID daughter board: Altos R5250 system supports SAS RAID through installation of a SAS RAID daughter board. With the addition of a RAID activation key to the SAS RAID daughter board is enabled. 1 Perform the pre-installation instructions described on page 28. 2 Locate the SAS daughter board slot. Perform the instructions described in “To remove the air duct” section on page 33.
55 Installing an BMC module The optional BMC module allows system administrators to manage the Altos R5250 system remotely over a network. To install a BMC module: 1 Perform the pre-installation instructions described on page 28. 2 Remove the SAS daughter board. (1) Detach any cables attached to the SAS daughter board. (2) Remove the screw that secures the board to chassis (A). (3) Gently pull the SAS daughter board to remove it from the daughter board slot (B).
56 5 3 System upgrade Align the BMC module so that the notch on the slot fits the keyed edge of the module (A), then press the module at both ends to snap the snap the standoff into the matching hole on the module (B). B A 6 Reinstall the SAS daughter board. 7 Observe the post-installation instructions described on page 28.
4 System BIOS
This chapter gives information about the system BIOS and discusses how to configure the system by changing the settings of the BIOS parameters.
59 BIOS overview BIOS setup is a hardware configuration program built into the system's Basic Input/Output System (BIOS). Since most systems are already properly configured and optimized, there is no need to run this utility. You will need to run this utility under the following conditions.
60 4 System BIOS Entering BIOS setup 1 Turn on the server and the monitor. If the server is already turned on, close all open applications, then restart the server. 2 During POST, press F2. If you fail to press F2 before POST is completed, you will need to restart the server. The Setup Main menu will be displayed showing the Setup’s menu bar. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between selections on the menu bar.
61 BIOS setup navigation keys Use the following keys to move around the Setup utility. • Left and Right arrow keys – Move between selections on the menu bar. • Up and Down arrow keys – Move the cursor to the field you want. • PgUp and PgDn keys – Move the cursor to the previous and next page of a multiple page menu. • Home – Move the cursor to the first page of a multiple page menu. • End – Move the cursor to the last page of a multiple page menu.
62 4 System BIOS Main menu Parameter Description System Time Set the system time following the hour-minute-second format. System Date Set the date following the weekday-month-day-year format.
63 Advanced menu The Advanced menu display submenu options for configuring the function of various hardware components. Select a submenu item, then press Enter to access the related submenu screen.
64 4 System BIOS Advanced Processor Options Parameter Description Option CPU1/2 Type Processor model name CPU1/2 Speed The processor speed is the speed at which a microprocessor executes instructions. Clock speeds are expressed in megahertz (MHz), with 1 MHz being equal to 1 million cycles per second. The faster the clock, the more instructions the CPU can execute per second.
65 Parameter Description Option Enhanced Virus Protection Select whether to enable the Enhanced Virus Protection function. Enhanced Virus Protection allows the processor to disable code execution when a worm attempts to insert a code in the buffer preventing damage and worm propagation. Enabled PowerNow! Technology Select whether to enable the PowerNow! Technology function. Enabled Node Interleave Select whether to enable the Node Interleave function.
66 4 System BIOS Memory Configuration Parameter Description Option System Memory Total size of system memory detected during POST Extended Memory Total size of extended memory detected during POST Clear Disabled DIMMs Press Enter to clear disabled DIMMs. DIMM Information Displays information about the memory installed in the system.
67 Advanced Chipset Control Parameter Description Option Wake on Keyboard/ Mouse Select whether to wake up the system using keyboard or mouse. Enabled Wake On Ring Select whether to wake up the system when an incoming call is detected on the modem. Enabled Select whether to wake up the system when an RTC alarm is detected.
68 4 System BIOS PCI Configuration Parameter Description Option PCI Slot 1 Option ROM When enabled, this setting will initialize the device expansion ROM for the related PCI slot. Enabled Onboard LAN1/2 Control Select whether to enable the onboard network 1/2 controller. Enabled LAN 1/2 Option ROM Scan Select whether to enable the selected onboard LAN device. When enabled, device expansion ROM will be initialized. Enabled Onboard VGA Control Enables or disables the onboard VGA controller.
69 I/O Device Configuration Parameter Description Option Serial Port A/B When enabled allows you to configure the serial port settings. Enabled When set to Auto allows the server’s BIOS or OS to select a configuration. Auto Disabled When set to Disabled, displays no configuration for the serial port. Enable this parameter if you intend to use a mouse or trackball with a PS/2 interface.
70 4 System BIOS IDE Configuration The IDE Configuration submenu lets you define the parameter settings related to the system hard drive(s).
71 SATA Port Parameter Description Option Type Selects the drive type. Auto None CD-ROM ATAPI Removable IDE Removable User Total Sectors Total number of sectors available in the selected hard drive. Maximum Capacity Maximum capacity of the selected hard drive. Multi-Sector Transfers Set the multi-sector transfer mode. 16 Sectors Disabled 2 Sectors 4 Sectors 8 Sectors LBA Mode Control Selects the hard disk drive translation method. For drivers with more than 504 MB, LBA mode is necessary.
72 4 System BIOS Parameter Description Option 32-bit I/O Enables or disables the 32-bit data transfer function Enabled Select a transfer mode to enhance hard disk performance.
73 Boot Configuration Parameter Description Option Boot-time Diagnostic Screen Choose whether to display the boot-time diagnostic screen during POST. Enabled Multiprocessor Specification Select the multiprocessor (MP) specification revision level. 1.4 Disabled 1.1 Note: Some operating system will require a 1.1 setting for compatibility reasons. POST Error Pause Select whether to pause POST when a boot-up error is detected.
74 4 System BIOS Parameter Description Option NumLock Select the NumLock behavior during boot-up. Auto On Off Security Mode for PWR/RST button Enables or disables the security mode for the power button or the reset button.
75 Security menu The Security menu allows you to safeguard and protect the system from unauthorized use by setting up access passwords. There are three types of passwords that you can set: • Supervisor password Entering this password will allow the user to access and change all settings in the Setup Utility. • User password Entering this password will restrict a user’s access to the Setup menus. To enable or disable this field, a supervisor password must first be set.
76 4 System BIOS Parameter Description Option Supervisor Password Is This parameter indicates whether a supervisor password has been assigned. Clear User Password Is This parameter indicates whether a user password has been assigned. Clear Enabled Enabled Set Supervisor Password Press Enter to configure the supervisor password. Set User Password Press Enter to configure the user password. Password On Boot Select Enabled to activate security check during POST.
77 Changing a system password 1 Use the up/down keys to select a password parameter (Set Supervisor Password or Set User Password), then press Enter. 2 Type the original password then press Enter. 3 Type a new password then press Enter. 4 Retype the password to verify the first entry then press Enter again. 5 Press F10. 6 Select Yes to save the modified password and close the Setup Utility.
78 4 System BIOS Server menu The Server menu displays submenu options for viewing basic system ID information and viewing console redirection-related and event logrelated settings. Select a submenu item, then press Enter to access the related submenu screen.
79 System Management The System Management submenu is a simple display page for basic system ID information, as well as BIOS and BMC firmware versions. Items on this window are non-configurable. Parameter Description Option Clear Case Open Status Press Enter then select whether to enable or disable the clear case open status at next boot function.
80 4 System BIOS Console Redirection Parameter Description Option COM Port Address Select whether to enable console redirection. Onboard COM A Console redirection enables users to manage the system from a remote location. Disabled Select the baud rate for console redirection. 300 Baud Rate Onboard COM B 1200 2400 9600 19.2K 38.4K 57.6K 115.2K Console Type Select a terminal type to be used for console redirection.
81 Parameter Description Option Flow Control Assign control for the console redirection flow. None XON/OFF CTS/RTS Continue C.R. After POST Select whether to enable console redirection after POST.
82 4 System BIOS Event Log Configuration Parameter Description Option Clear All Event Logs Press Enter then select whether to clear all entries in the system event log. Log POST Sys. Event Select whether to enable the BIOS event log to be integrated in the system event log.
83 Boot menu The Boot menu allows you to set the drive priority during system boot-up. BIOS setup will display an error message if the drive(s) specified is not bootable.
84 4 System BIOS Exit menu The Exit menu displays the various options to quit from the BIOS setup. Highlight any of the exit options then press Enter. Parameter Description Exit Saving Changes Saves changes made and close the BIOS setup. Exit Discarding Changes Discards changes made and close the BIOS setup. Load Setup Defaults Loads the default settings for all BIOS setup parameters. Setup Defaults are quite demanding in terms of resources consumption.
5 System troubleshooting
This chapter provides possible solutions for specific problems. If you cannot correct the problem, contact your local Acer representative or authorized dealer for assistance.
87 Resetting the system Before going through in-depth troubleshooting, attempt first to reset the system using one of the methods below. Perform Purpose To do this Soft boot reset To clear the system memory and reload the operating system. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del Cold boot reset To clear the system memory, restart POST, and reload the operating system. This will halt power to all peripherals. Press the system power button off and then on.
88 5 System troubleshooting Initial system startup problems Problems that occur at initial system startup are usually caused by an incorrect installation or configuration. Hardware failure is a less possible cause. If the problem you are experiencing is with a specific application, see the "There is problem with the software program" section on page 94.
89 Initial troubleshooting checklist Use the checklist below to eliminate the possible cause for the problem you’re encountering.
90 5 System troubleshooting Hardware diagnostic testing This section provides a detailed approach to identifying a hardware problem and its cause. Checking the boot-up status Caution: Before disconnecting any peripheral cables from the server, turn off the system and any peripheral devices. Failure to do so can cause permanent damage to the system and/or the peripheral device. 1 Turn off the system and all external peripheral devices.
91 Verifying the condition of the storage devices As POST determines the system configuration, it tests for the presence of each mass storage device installed in the system. As each device is checked, its activity indicator should turn on green briefly. Check the activity indicators for the hard drive(s), DVD-ROM drive, floppy drive, and any other 5.25-inch device you may have installed.
92 5 System troubleshooting Specific problems and corrective actions Listed below are specific problems that may arise during the use of your server and their possible solutions. Power indicator does not light. Do the following: • Make sure the power supply module is properly installed. • Make sure the power cord is connected correctly. • Make sure that the wall outlet has power. Test it by plugging another device. • Make sure the power indicator on the front panel is lit up green.
93 DVD tray cannot be ejected. Insert the tip of a paperclip into the small hole on the DVD drive. Slowly pull the tray out from the drive until the tray is fully extended. DVD drive cannot read a disc. Do the following: • Make sure you are using the correct type of disc. • Make sure the disc is properly seated in the drive. • Make sure the disc is unscratch and free of any contaminant. • Make sure the drive’s IDE and power cables are properly connected.
94 5 System troubleshooting Peripheral device connected to a USB port does not work. Do the following: • Reduce the number of external devices connected to a USB hub. • Refer to the documentation that came with the device. There is problem with the software program. Do the following: • Verify that the software is properly configured for the system. Refer to the software installation and operation documentation for instructions on setting up and using the software.
95 If you are using an add-in video controller card, do the following: 1 Verify that the display monitor works using the onboard video controller. 2 Verify that the add-in video controller card is fully seated in its slot. 3 Reboot the system for the changes to take effect. 4 If there are still no characters on the screen after you reboot the system, reboot it again. Take note of the beep codes emitted during POST. This information may be required if you seek technical assistance.
96 5 System troubleshooting
Appendix A: Server management tools
This appendix gives an overview of the different server management tools supported by your server.
99 Server management overview The server management tools supported by the Altos R5250 system is listed in the table below. Tool Function Phoenix BIOS Setup Utility Use this tool to configure the different hardware components and system functions (memory, processor, and security settings). Go to the BIOS setup chapter on page 57 for details.
100 Appendix A: Server management tools RAID configuration utilities RAID option for the Altos R5250 system is provided through either the onboard SATA controller or through an external daughter board option (SAS daughter board or SAS RAID daughter board with iButton). Caution: Creating a RAID volume erases all data previously saved in the hard drives. Make sure that you back up important files before starting a RAID configuration process.
101 To initialize the Onboard SATA RAID Configuration Utility: Note: There must be at least one SATA hard drive installed in the system, otherwise the MediaShield ROM BIOS 6.77 will not appear during POST. 1 Turn on the server and the monitor. 2 During POST, press F10 on the MediaShield ROM BIOS 6.77 Manager option ROM prompt. To create a RAID 5 volume: 1 On the Onboard SATA RAID Configuration Utility, use the Up and Down arrow keys to select RAID 5 for the RAID Mode.
102 Appendix A: Server management tools SAS Daughter Board Configuration Utility This section explains how to create a RAID 1 volume when the SAS daughter board is installed. To initialize the SAS Daughter Board Configuration Utility: 1 Turn on the server and the monitor. If the server is already turned on, close all open applications, then restart the server. 2 During POST, press Ctrl-C on the SAS BIOS prompt.
103 10 Press C, then select Save changes then exit this menu. Proceed to the installation of the operating system. Refer to the user documentation that came with your OS for related instructions. To initialize a RAID 1 volume You can skip this procedure if you selected to create a new IM array (or pressed D) while performing the creating a RAID 1 volume with a hot spare disk section. After you create a new IM array, no synchronization will be performed.
104 Appendix A: Server management tools SAS RAID Daughter Board Configuration Utility This section explains how to create a RAID 5 volume when the SAS RAID daughter board (with iButton) is installed. To initialize the LSI MegaRAID SAS RAID Configuration Utility: 1 Turn on the server and the monitor. If the server is already turned on, close all open applications, then restart the server. 2 During POST, press Ctrl-M on the RAID BIOS prompt.
105 10 Press Esc to return to the Management menu. 11 Select Yes to exit the configuration utility. 12 Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to reboot the system. Proceed to the installation of the operating system. Refer to the user documentation that came with your OS for related instructions. To initialize a RAID 1 volume 1 On the Management menu, select Initialize. All logical drives will be listed. 2 Press the space bar to select the drive to initialize. The selected drive will be highlighted in yellow.
106 Appendix A: Server management tools
Appendix B: Rack mount configuration
This appendix shows you how to set up the Altos R5250 server in a rack mount configuration.
109 Rack installation information The Altos R5250 server system can also be mounted in a rack-model position. A rack mount kit is available for customers who want to convert system to rack-model design. To purchase a rack mount kit, contact your local Acer representative or order directly from http://www.acer.com/. Rack installation precautions Follow the rack manufacturer's safety and installation instructions for proper rack installation.
110 • Appendix B: Rack mount configuration Elevated operating ambient temperature The maximum operating temperature of the system is 35 °C (95°F). Careful consideration should be given to installing the system in an environment compatible with the 35 °C (95°F) maximum ambient temperature. • Reduced airflow The amount of airflow required for the safe operation of the equipment should not be compromised when installing the system in a rack.
111 System rack installation The Acer Altos R5250 server should be mounted into a rack. A tool-less rack rail and CMA (cable management arm) kit is available for installing system to a rack cabinet. The figure below shows the server in a rack-mount position.
112 Appendix B: Rack mount configuration Vertical mounting hole pattern The four vertical rails of the system rack contain mounting holes arranged in a manner shown in the figure below: The system occupies 1U in the rack. Count the U positions and hole numbers from the bottom up. The distance from the center of two holes with closer spacing to the center of the next pair is equivalent to 1U. Note: The unit of measurement used in this guide is "U" (1U = 1.75 inches or 44.45 mm).
113 Installing the system into the rack Caution! To minimize the chances of injuries, make sure that two or more people help in installing the server. To install the system into a four-post rack 1 Remove the inner rails from the mounting rails. (1) Extend the inner rail from the mounting rail until the rail release latch clicks. (2) Depress the release latch (A) and slip the inner rail out (B).
114 Appendix B: Rack mount configuration (3) Do the same thing to the other mounting rail. Caution! To avoid personal injury, care should be taken when pressing the inner rail release latches and sliding the component into the rack. 2 Attach the inner rails to both sides of the server. Align the screw holes of the inner rail to the server screws (A), then slide rails to the left until the rails lock into place with an audible click (B).
115 3 Install the mounting rails to the rack posts. (1) Determine the vertical position in the rack. Refer to “Vertical mounting hole pattern” on page 112 for more information. (2) Align and insert the mounting rails into the rack posts’ mounting holes (A). (3) Make certain the proper mounting holes on rack post are selected. (4) Use two metal screws supplied with the kit to secure the front and rear mounting rail to the rack (B). (5) Do the same thing to the other mounting rail.
116 Appendix B: Rack mount configuration (6) Fully extend the mounting rails on the rack.
117 4 Install the server into the rack. Caution! To avoid personal injury, care should be taken when pressing the inner rail release latches and sliding the component into the rack. (1) Carefully align the inner rails attached to the server with the fully extended mounting rails on the rack. (2) Press the release latch on both sides of the server (A). (3) Insert the inner rails into the mounting rails, then push the server into the rack until you hear a click sound (B).
118 5 Appendix B: Rack mount configuration Attach the CMA (cable management arm) to the rear of the server. The CMA allows you to tie-wrap all cables to and from the system. As you slide the system in and out of the rack, the CMA collapses and extends, keeping the cables untangled and attached to the system. (1) Insert the smaller CMA extension into the rear of the left inner rail (A1). (2) Insert the larger CMA extension into the rear of left mounting rail (A2).
119 (6) Connect the power, peripheral and networking cables into their appropriate ports. Refer to “Connecting peripherals” on page 20 for detailed instructions. (7) Route all cables through the cable clips.
120 Appendix B: Rack mount configuration
121 Index E environmental specifications humidity 6 system cooling 6 temperature 6 vibration 6 expansion card installing 51 Numerics 5.
122 troubleshooting 93 LED indicators 15 front panel 15 HDD carrier 16 LAN port 16 Configuration Utility SAS RAID Daughter Board Configuration Utility rear panel 9 remove air duct 33 DIMMs 50 front bezel 29 HDD 35 heat sink 44 optical drive 41 PCI riser assembly 51 processor 44 system fan 42 top cover 31 replace system fan 42 M media storage specification 4 memory BIOS settings 66 reconfiguring 50 troubleshooting 93 O Onboard SATA RAID Configuration Utility 100 opening the system 29 operating system mana
123 removing 42 replacing 42 system features 3 system jumpers clear CMOS 12 system memory reconfiguring 50 system passwords change 77 power-on password 75 remove 77 set 76 supervisor password 75 user password 75 system reset cold boot 87 soft boot 87 system tour 1 system upgrade 25 ESD precautions 27 installation precautions 27 post-installation instructions 28 preinstallation instructions 28 U USB ports troubleshooting user password 75 94 W T thermal grease top cover installing removing troubleshootin
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