Dell PowerEdge 1950 Technical manual

Dell™ PowerEdge™
1950 Systems
Information Update

Notes, Cautions, and Warnings
NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use
of your computer.
CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates potential damage to hardware or loss of data
if instructions are not followed.
WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage,
personal injury, or death.
____________________
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
©2006–2009 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction of these materials in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc.
is strictly forbidden.
Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, and PowerEdge are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Intel
and Xeon are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation; Microsoft, Windows, and Windows Server
are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or
other countries; Red Hat and Red Hat Enterprise Linux are registered trademarks of Red Hat, Inc.;
SUSE is a registered trademark of Novell Inc.
Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming
the marks and names or their products. Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and
trade names other than its own.
November 2009 Rev. A09

Contents 3
Contents
Non-Optimal Memory Configurations . . . . . . . . . . . 5
PowerEdge 1950 III – New System Features . . . . . . . 5
New Performance Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
New High-Efficiency Power Supply
and Power Monitoring Features . . . . . . . . . . . 5
New I/O and Storage Features . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
New Security Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Optional Internal USB Memory Key . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Installing the Optional Internal USB Memory Key . . 8
Support for 8-GB Memory Modules –
PowerEdge 1950 III Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Processor Upgrades – PowerEdge 1950 II
and PowerEdge 1950 III Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
System Board Replacement –
Safeguarding Encrypted Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
System Message Update. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
LCD Status Messages Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

4Contents
System Setup Program Update. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Memory Screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
CPU Information Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Integrated Devices Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
System Security Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Operating System Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Enumeration of NICs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
RHEL – Incorrect Processor Information . . . . . . 25
System Support for Microsoft Windows 2000 . . . 25
Hardware Owner’s Manual Updates . . . . . . . . . . 26
Installing the Processor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
System Diagnostics Custom Test Options . . . . . 26

Information Update 5
Non-Optimal Memory Configurations
The POST may halt when a non-optimal memory configuration is detected
and the following message is displayed:
Non-Optimal Memory Configuration
Press F1 to continue or F2 for Setup
NOTE: Mixing DIMMs of different speeds renders the memory configuration
non6Hoptimal. The system clocks down the performance to the slowest speed
in the DIMM set for the channel.
PowerEdge 1950 III – New System Features
New Performance Features
• Two dual-core or quad-core Intel
®
Xeon
®
5400 Series and 5300 Series
processors.
• 8-GB memory module support.
New High-Efficiency Power Supply and Power Monitoring Features
• Higher system efficiency on power conversion across workloads.
• Baseboard Management Control (BMC) power monitoring monitors
current, voltage, and power utilization in the system.

6Information Update
New I/O and Storage Features
• Optional Intel quad-port Gigabit Ethernet NIC, capable of supporting
10-Mbps, 100-Mbps, and 1000-Mbps data rates and iSCSI remote boot.
• Support for 10-Gb Ethernet cards.
• One internal USB 2.0-compliant connector supporting an optional
bootable USB flash drive or USB memory key.
• Support for optional SAS 6i/R and PERC 6/i adapters.
New Security Features
• Trusted Program Module (TPM) support for improved security.
• Optional support for iSCSI boot.
Optional Internal USB Memory Key
The PowerEdge 1950 III system provides an internal USB connector located
on the system board for use with a USB flash memory key (see Figure 1-1).
The USB memory key can be used as a boot device, security key, or mass
storage device. To use the internal USB connector, the Internal USB Port
option must be enabled in the Integrated Devices screen of the System Setup
program. See "Integrated Devices Screen" on page 22.

Information Update 7
Figure 1-1. Internal USB Connector Location
To boot from the USB memory key, you must configure the USB memory
key with a boot image and then specify the USB memory key in the boot
sequence in the System Setup program. See
"Using the System Setup
Program" in the
Hardware Owner’s Manual . For information on creating
a bootable file on the USB memory key, see the user documentation that
accompanied the USB memory key.
NOTE: USB keys that contain multiple LUNs (Logical Unit Numbers) must be
formatted using the format utility provided by the key manufacturer.
NOTE: To avoid interference with components inside the system, the USB key must
conform to the following maximum dimensions: 11.68mm thick (0.46") x 24.89mm
width (0.98") x 66.8mm length (2.63").
1 system board 2 internal USB connector location
1
2

8Information Update
Installing the Optional Internal USB Memory Key
WARNING: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system
cover and access any of the components inside the system. See your Product
Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions,
working inside the computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge.
1 Turn off the system, including any attached peripherals, and disconnect
the system from its electrical outlet.
2 Open the system. See "Opening the System" in the Hardware Owner’s
Manual
.
3 Remove the memory cooling shroud. See "Removing the Memory Cooling
Shroud" in the
Hardware Owner’s Manual .
4 Locate the USB connector on the system board and insert the USB
memory key into the USB connector. See Figure 1-2.
Figure 1-2. Installing an Internal USB Key
1 USB memory key 2 internal USB connector
1
2

Information Update 9
5 Replace the memory cooling shroud.
6 Close the system. See "Closing the System" in the Hardware Owner’s
Manual
.
7 Reconnect the system to power and restart the system.
8 Enter the System Setup program and verify that the USB key has been
detected by the system. See "Using the System Setup Program" in the
Hardware Owner’s Manual .
Support for 8-GB Memory Modules –
PowerEdge 1950 III Systems
PowerEdge 1950 III systems have added support for the following approved
8-GB memory configurations:
• 64 GB — 8 x 8-GB quad-rank memory modules
• 48 GB — 4 x 8-GB quad-rank and 4 x 4-GB dual-rank memory modules
If 64 GB of memory is installed, the system only recognizes and displays
63.75 GB during POST.
NOTE: Prior to upgrading your system, verify that the latest system BIOS version is on your
system. Loading the latest BIOS version ensures that your system is fully supported.
NOTE: Some operating systems cannot support more than 4 GB of physical memory. For
more information on memory support requirements and restrictions, refer to the operating
system documentation that ships with your system.
Processor Upgrades – PowerEdge 1950 II
and PowerEdge 1950 III Systems
• If the front of your system chassis is labeled with a "II," your system is
upgradeable to the 5100 series of dual-core Intel Xeon processors and
the 5300 series of quad-core Intel Xeon processors.
• If the front of your system chassis is labeled with a "III," your system is
upgradeable to the 5100 and 5200 series of dual-core Intel Xeon processors
and the 5300 and 5400 series of quad-core Intel Xeon processors.
See support.dell.com for information on the latest processor upgrade options
for your system.

10 Information Update
System Board Replacement – Safeguarding
Encrypted Data
On PowerEdge 1950 III systems using Windows Server®2008, you can use
encryption programs, such as the BitLocker utility, to secure the contents
of the hard drive.
If you are using the TPM with an encryption application, you are prompted
to create a recovery key during system setup. Be sure to store this recovery key.
If you replace the system board, you must supply the recovery key when you
restart your system before you can access the encrypted files on your hard
drive(s).
System Message Update
Table 1-1 lists new system messages for the PowerEdge 1950 III system and
the probable cause and corrective action when the message appears.
WARNING: Only trained service technicians are authorized to remove the system
cover and access any of the components inside the system. See your Product
Information Guide for complete information about safety precautions,
working inside the computer, and protecting against electrostatic discharge

Information Update 11
Table 1-1. System Messages
Message Causes Corrective Actions
Alert! Node
Interleaving
disabled! Memory
configuration does
not support Node
Interleaving.
The memory configuration
does not support node
interleaving, or the
configuration has changed
(for example, a failed
DIMM) so that node
interleaving cannot be
supported. The system
runs but with reduced
functionality.
Ensure that the memory
modules are installed in a
configuration that supports
node interleaving. Check
other system messages for
additional information
for possible causes. For
memory configuration
information, see "General
Memory Module
Installation Guidelines"
in the Hardware Owner’s
Manual. If the problem
persists, see
"Troubleshooting System
Memory" in the Hardware
Owner’s Manual.
!!*** Error: Remote
Access Controller
initialization
failure *** RAC
virtual USB devices
may not be
available...
Remote Access Controller
initialization failure.
Ensure that the Remote
Access Controller is
properly installed. See
"Installing a RAC Card"
in the Hardware Owner’s
Manual.
Invalid PCIe card
found in the
Internal_Storage
slot!
The system halted because
an invalid PCIe expansion
card is installed in the
dedicated storage
controller slot.
Remove the PCIe
expansion card and install
the internal SAS controller
in the dedicated slot.
No boot device
available
Faulty or missing optical
drive subsystem, hard
drive, or hard-drive
subsystem, or no bootable
USB key installed.
Use a bootable USB key,
CD, or hard drive. See
"Using the System Setup
Program" in the Hardware
Owner’s Manual for
information on setting
the order of boot devices.

12 Information Update
PCI BIOS failed to
install
PCIe device BIOS (Option
ROM) checksum failure
detected during shadowing.
Cables to expansion card(s)
loose; faulty or improperly
installed expansion card(s).
Reseat the expansion
card(s). Ensure that all
appropriate cables are
securely connected to the
expansion card(s). If the
problem persists, see
"Troubleshooting System
Expansion Cards" in the
Hardware Owner’s Manual.
PCIe Degraded Link
Width Error:
Embedded device
Expected Link Width
is n
Actual Link Width
is n
Faulty system board or riser
board.
See "Getting Help" in the
Hardware Owner’s Manual.
PCIe Degraded Link
Width Error:
Integrated device
Expected Link Width
is n
Actual Link Width
is n
The specified PCIe device
is faulty or improperly
installed.
For a SAS controller
daughter card, reseat the
card in the dedicated PCIe
connector. See "Installing a
SAS Controller Daughter
Card" in the Hardware
Owner’s Manual. If the
problem persists, see
"Getting Help" in the
Hardware Owner’s Manual.
PCIe Degraded Link
Width Error: Slot n
Expected Link Width
is n
Actual Link Width
is n
Faulty or improperly
installed PCIe card in
the specified slot.
Reseat the PCIe card in the
specified slot number. See
"Expansion Cards" in the
Hardware Owner’s Manual.
If the problem persists,
see "Getting Help" in the
Hardware Owner’s Manual.
PCIe Training
Error: Embedded
device
Faulty system board
or riser board.
See "Getting Help" in the
Hardware Owner’s Manual.
Table 1-1. System Messages (continued)
Message Causes Corrective Actions

Information Update 13
PCIe Training
Error: Integrated
device
The specified PCIe device
is faulty or improperly
installed.
For a SAS controller
daughter card, reseat the
card in the dedicated PCIe
connector. See "Installing
a SAS Controller Daughter
Card" in the Hardware
Owner’s Manual. If the
problem persists, see
"Getting Help" in the
Hardware Owner’s Manual.
PCIe Training
Error: Slot n
Faulty or improperly
installed PCIe card in the
specified slot.
Reseat the PCIe card in the
specified slot number. See
"Expansion Cards" in the
Hardware Owner’s Manual.
If the problem persists, see
"Getting Help" in the
Hardware Owner’s Manual.
Remote Access
Controller cable
error or incorrect
card in the RAC
slot.
RAC cables not connected,
or RAC card installed in
wrong expansion slot.
Check that the RAC cables
are connected, and that the
RAC card is installed in the
correct expansion slot. See
"Installing a RAC Card" in
the Hardware Owner’s
Manual.
NOTE: All TPM information messages appear after the BMC option ROM has been
loaded during POST.
TPM configuration
operation honored.
System now resets. Information only.
TPM Failure A Trusted Platform Module
(TPM) function has failed.
See "Getting Help" in the
Hardware Owner’s Manual.
Table 1-1. System Messages (continued)
Message Causes Corrective Actions

14 Information Update
TPM operation is
pending. Press I to
Ignore or M to
Modify to allow
this change and
reset the system.
WARNING: Modifying
could prevent
security.
Configuration change has
been requested.
Press Ito continue system
boot. Press Mto modify
the TPM setting and
restart.
Warning: Following
faulty DIMMs are
disabled:
DIMM n1n2
Total memory size
is reduced.
Faulty or improperly seated
memory module(s).
DIMMs are disabled in
pairs, as indicated by the n1
and n2. Check both
DIMMs for a possible fault.
See "Troubleshooting
System Memory" in the
Hardware Owner’s Manual.
Warning: A fatal
error has caused
system reset!
Please check the
system event log!
A fatal system error
occurred and caused the
system to restart.
Check the SEL for
information that was
logged during the error.
See the applicable
troubleshooting section in
See "Troubleshooting Your
System" in the Hardware
Owner’s Manual. for any
faulty components
specified in the SEL.
Warning! No micro
code update loaded
for processor n
Micro code update failed. Update the BIOS firmware.
See "Getting Help" in the
Hardware Owner’s Manual.
Table 1-1. System Messages (continued)
Message Causes Corrective Actions

Information Update 15
LCD Status Messages Update
Table 1-2 lists updates to the LCD status messages that can occur on
the PowerEdge 1950 III system and the probable cause for each message.
The LCD messages refer to events recorded in the system event log (SEL).
For information on the SEL and configuring system management settings,
see your systems management software documentation.
Warning: The
installed memory
configuration is
not optimal. For
more information on
valid memory
configurations,
please see the
system
documentation on
the technical
support web site.
Invalid memory
configuration. The system
runs but with reduced
functionality.
Ensure that the memory
modules are installed in a
valid configuration. See
"General Memory Module
Installation Guidelines"
in the Hardware Owner’s
Manual. If the problem
persists, see
"Troubleshooting System
Memory" in the Hardware
Owner’s Manual.
Write fault
Write fault on
selected drive
Faulty USB device, USB
medium, optical drive
assembly, hard drive, or
hard-drive subsystem.
Replace the faulty media.
Reseat the USB device or
USB cable. For hard drive
problems, see
"Troubleshooting a Hard
Drive" in the Hardware
Owner’s Manual.
Table 1-1. System Messages (continued)
Message Causes Corrective Actions

16 Information Update
Table 1-2. LCD Status Messages
Code Text Causes Corrective Actions
N/A SYSTEM NAME A 62-character
string that can be
defined by the user
in the System Setup
program.
The SYSTEM NAME
is displayed under
the following
conditions:
• The system is
powered on.
• The power is off
and active errors
are displayed.
This message is for
information only.
You can change the
system ID and
name in the System
Setup program. See
"Using the System
Setup Program" in
the Hardware
Owner’s Manual.
E1000 FAILSAFE, Call
Support
Check the system
event log for critical
failure events.
See "Getting Help"
in the Hardware
Owner’s Manual.
E1118 CPU Temp
Interface
The BMC is unable
to determine
the CPU(s)
temperature status.
Consequently, the
BMC increases
the CPU fan speed
to maximum
as a precautionary
measure.
Turn off power to
the system and
restart the system.
If the problem
persists, see
"Getting Help"
in the Hardware
Owner’s Manual.
E1211 ROMB Batt RAID battery is
either missing, bad,
or unable to
recharge due to
thermal issues.
Reseat the RAID
battery connector.
See the "RAID
Battery" and see
"Troubleshooting
System Cooling
Problems" in the
Hardware Owner’s
Manual.

Information Update 17
E1625 PS AC Current Power source is out
of acceptable range.
Check the AC
power source.
E1711 PCI PERR B##
D## F##
The system BIOS
has reported a PCI
parity error on a
component that
resides in PCI
configuration space
at bus ##, device
##, function ##.
Remove and reseat
the PCIe expansion
cards. If the
problem persists,
see
"Troubleshooting
an Expansion Card"
in the Hardware
Owner’s Manual.
PCI PERR Slot
#
The system BIOS
has reported a PCI
parity error on a
component that
resides in the
specified PCIe slot.
Reinstall the
expansion-card riser.
See "Expansion
Card Risers" in the
Hardware Owner’s
Manual.
If the problem
persists, the riser
card or system board
is faulty. See
"Getting Help"
in the Hardware
Owner’s Manual.
Table 1-2. LCD Status Messages (continued)
Code Text Causes Corrective Actions

18 Information Update
E1712 PCI SERR B##
D## F##
The system BIOS
has reported a PCI
system error on a
component that
resides in PCI
configuration space
at bus ##, device
##, function ##.
Remove and reseat
the PCIe expansion
cards. If the
problem persists,
see
"Troubleshooting
Expansion Cards"
in the Hardware
Owner’s Manual.
PCI SERR
Slot #
The system BIOS
has reported a PCI
system error on a
component that
resides in the
specified slot.
Reinstall the
expansion-card riser.
See "Expansion
Card Risers" in the
Hardware Owner’s
Manual.
If the problem
persists, the riser
card or system board
is faulty. See
"Getting Help"
in the Hardware
Owner’s Manual.
Table 1-2. LCD Status Messages (continued)
Code Text Causes Corrective Actions

Information Update 19
E171F PCIE Fatal Err
B## D## F##
The system BIOS
has reported a PCIe
fatal error on a
component that
resides in PCIe
configuration space
at bus ##, device
##, function ##.
Remove and reseat
the PCIe expansion
cards. If the
problem persists,
see
"Troubleshooting
Expansion Cards"
in the Hardware
Owner’s Manual.
PCIE Fatal Err
Slot #
The system BIOS
has reported a PCIe
fatal error on a
component that
resides in the
specified slot.
Reinstall the
expansion-card riser.
See "Expansion
Card Risers" in the
Hardware Owner’s
Manual.
If the problem
persists, the riser
card or system board
is faulty. See
"Getting Help"
in the Hardware
Owner’s Manual.
E1914 DRAC5 Conn2
Cbl
DRAC 5 cable is
missing or
disconnected.
Reconnect the
cable. See
"Installing a RAC
Card" in the
Hardware Owner’s
Manual.
E1B01 USB#
Overcurrent
Device plugged in
the specified USB
port caused an
overcurrent
condition.
Reseat the device
cable. If the
problem persists,
replace or remove
the device.
Table 1-2. LCD Status Messages (continued)
Code Text Causes Corrective Actions

20 Information Update
E2110 MBE DIMM # & # One of the two
indicated DIMMs
has had a memory
multi-bit error
(MBE).
See
"Troubleshooting
System Memory"
in the Hardware
Owner’s Manual.
E2111 SBE Log
Disable DIMM #
The system BIOS
has disabled
memory single-bit
error (SBE) logging,
and does not
resume logging
further SBEs until
the system is
restarted. "#"
represents the
DIMM implicated
by the BIOS.
See
"Troubleshooting
System Memory"
in the Hardware
Owner’s Manual.
E2112 Mem Spare
DIMM #
The system BIOS
has spared the
memory because it
has determined that
the memory had too
many errors. "# &
#" represents the
DIMM pair
implicated by
the BIOS.
See
"Troubleshooting
System Memory"
in the Hardware
Owner’s Manual.
I1915 Video Off
(LCD lights with
a blue or amber
background.)
The video has been
turned off by the
RAC remote user.
Information only.
I1916 Video Off
in ##
(LCD lights with
a blue or amber
background.)
The video was
turned off in xx
seconds by the RAC
remote user.
Information only.
Table 1-2. LCD Status Messages (continued)
Code Text Causes Corrective Actions