ESXi 4 install hangs when loading aic79xx or mptspi HP ML370 G6

[ScottBentley]

Hi Guys

Strange problem when attempting to install ESXi 4 HP latest build.

The server is a ML370 G6 locally attached storage on a p410i raid card with a mirrored pair of 72gb disks, the server originally had a HPsc11xe HBA installed with a LTO3 drive attached, everything is detected correctly in the post messages but when attempting to install ESXi it hangs at loading module mptspi and gets no further.

If I remove the SCSI card the installation continues with no problem and completes fine, we have used the SC11xe card before with both ESXi 3.5 and ESXi 4 with no problem but in a DL380 G5 and G6

We then swapped the card for an Adaptec 29320LPE we have exactly the same problem but this time it stops on loading aic79xx I have checked the MPS table and is enabled for APCI

We have attempted to try a few other things including disabling the onboard SATA controller (in case there was a conflict)

Cant seem to get any further anyone have any ideas what I might try next?

Regards,

Scott

[DSTAVERT]

Try changing the interrupt the card uses (F9 on boot) and or change slots the card uses.

[ScottBentley]

Thank you

We have tried that spent most of yesterday swapping slots and trying every combination of IRQ settings available, but we are still experiencing the same issues, anything further we may be able to try?

Regards,

Scott

[DSTAVERT]

Try installing to USB stick or SD if it is available.

Try resetting the the BIOS and boot disk option in the BIOS.

[admin]

Could you please post few of the last lines from the vmkernel log? (Press alt+f12 to switch to the log window.)

[ScottBentley]

Hi Guys

Thank you for your responses so far, we have now opened an official support ticket with VMware who are attempting to resolve this problem they are currently seeing if they have the required hardware to replicate the problem.

I will post an update as soon as I have one, is there a way of exporting the alt F12 info somehow to a text document?

Regards,

Scott

[dcrush]

Hi

Thats funny.... or not

Exactly 12h ago, I got the same Problem: ML370 G6 + SC11Xe. ESXi4 won't boot (mptspi). Same controller, same setup on a G5 works fine....

I was also unable to run the HP Firmware CD 8.6...

Fortune, I put the controller in a random Slot:5 and it works! I guess it's the same IRQ...

I will run some tests, after that I will give you a feedback

Good luck

[ScottBentley]

Quick update for you, yesterday I installed windows 2003 R2 on the G6 after installing the drivers it could see the 29320lpe card fine in the OS and had no problems booting up.

I then went on the HP website and applied the following BIOS and firmware updates

Type: BIOS - System ROM

Version: 2009.10.01 (29 Oct 2009)

Operating System(s): Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 for 64-bit Extended Systems, Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Essential Business, Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2, Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Small Business, Microsoft Windows Server 2008 W32, Microsoft Windows Server 2008 x64

File name: cp011971.exe (1.4 MB)

Type: Firmware - Network

Version: 2.1.5.5 (10 Nov 2009)

Operating System(s): Microsoft Windows Server 2003 for 64-bit Extended Systems, Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Essential Business, Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2, Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Small Business, Microsoft Windows Server 2008 x64

File name: cp011680.exe (4.3 MB)

Type: Firmware - Storage Controller

Version: 1.16 (B) (11 Nov 2009)

Operating System(s): Microsoft Windows Server 2003 for 64-bit Extended Systems, Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2, Microsoft Windows Server 2008 W32, Microsoft Windows Server 2008 x64, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 (x86), Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 Server (x86), Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 Server (x86-64), SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 (AMD64/EM64T), SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 (x86), SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 (AMD64/EM64T), SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 (x86)

All of which are newer than those available on HP Firmware boot CD 8.6

After installing the firmware updates we reinstalled ESXi 4.0 HP version, this time the drivers for aic79xx loaded successfully

Once the installation had completed the server also appears to be a lot more responsive to VM client commands such as scanning the data stores editing guest VM's etc.

I have also updated the firmware of the Adaptec 29320Lpe from 4.31.4 to 4.31.9, I have not attempted to try the HP SCSI card I will do so later to see if it has also resolved the mpt driver issue but I think we will keep the Adaptec card in this server as it is on the HCL

It would appear the system BIOS on the 8.6 Firmware CD from HP was the original cause of the error.

[dcrush]

Thank you for you information!

Hint : have a look at the ... do not upgrade the iLO

[jaivtn]

I am having the same issue.

My server is Intel S5000VSA mainboard, LSI 22320-HP SCSI 320 Card, HP LTO2 Tape Drive

The system will only hang on bootup IF the tape drive is plugged into the SCSI card. If the tape drive is unplugged the system boots OK. According to the system logs the system is detecting the drive, scsi bus location, firmware etc OK, but just sits there hung at "loading module mptspi"

No new firmware is available for my older tape drive, nor the SCSI card.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated :smileyhappy:

JK