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Intel Server - Overview of the RAID Card or Motherboard Replacement Process

Overview of the RAID Card Replacement Process

  • If the system is still booting - ensure that the RAID drivers for the new card are installed, and/or a sufficient version to support the new card. For example, customers replacing an SRCSASRB or SRCSATAWB should be running driver version 4.x before trying to upgrade to the Intel RS2BL080.
  • Remove old card; note the order of the drive cables and other signal cable connections.
  • Check the old card for any Feature Keys which need to be moved to the new card.
  • Move any RAID card battery to the new card if the old card had a battery unit fitted and the new card has not been supplied with a replacement, so long as the cards are the same model. If they are different models, a new battery will need to be requested.
  • Disable Quiet boot in the BIOS.
  • Fit the new card but leave the hard drive cables disconnected.
  • Flash the latest approved firmware on the new card.
  • Shut the system down; connect the drive cables.
  • Boot the system up and follow the foreign configuration prompt to preview and then import the logical drives.
  • Test the system. If a RAID driver installation or upgrade is needed and the system doesn't boot from the RAID (failing with a STOP 0x0000007b blue screen message) then a repair operating system installation may be needed.

Note: RAID Card firmware updates in the above process will almost certainly need to be done in the EFI environment. If you perform any updates using RAID Web Console from within Windows, do NOT use the option to enable the RAID firmware update to take immediate effect. The firmware update may be flashed whilst Windows is running, but the system should then be rebooted for it for take effect.

Overview of the Motherboard Replacement Process

  • Confirm the fault with the original motherboard, saving a copy of the hardware SEL LOG for reference.
  • Replace the motherboard and refit all cards and components in the original slots. Ensure any RAID keys are transferred.
  • Disable quiet boot. If you can't get into the BIOS to disable quiet boot, remove the RAID controller
  • Upgrade the motherboard BIOS package (usually easiest done in the EFI Shell)
  • Reboot the system after the upgrade and go back into the BIOS - its important the first POST after the BIOS upgrade is allowed to complete
  • Ensure that Quiet boot is still disabled
  • If the system is in a noise sensitive area - for example, the system is a workstation on a desk - set the system fan/performance mode to Acoustic
  • If you removed the RAID controller earlier shut the system down, refit the controller and then go back into the BIOS
  • Check the on-board SATA controller is in the correct mode (for example, IDE, RAID, AHCI - and sometimes with the RAID modes there may be multiple options)
  • Make sure the BIOS boot order is correct
  • Make sure the system warning LED is solid green and use the SEL LOG viewer to troubleshoot
  • Test the system and retain a final SEL log for reference purposes

Remember: When performing a RAID card replacement, or motherboard replacement, always ensure that you disable quiet boot before fitting the RAID card. Also remember that any replacement RAID card may also benefit from a firmware update - this needs to be applied before the drive cables are connected and the foreign volumes imported.

Applies to:

  • Systems with an Intel or LSI Hardware RAID Controller or Module.
  • Systems based on an Intel server platform