TL;DR:
Result: The end result was that the iDRAC snap-in card came loose and I didn't lose Enterprise. This error shows if you don’t have an iDRAC Enterprise card installed, change hardware and had "Collect System Inventory on Restart" enabled. Dell did not implement a separate license for Enterprise iDRACs until generation 12 and generation 13 servers, ie r720 and r730 servers. It is only hardware module to enable Enterprise before 12g which runs about 10-20dollars on ebay.
HP RDIMM RAM worked fine in my Dell r510 and Dell r710.
However, something to note. is that if you fill all of the memory bank channels. Your RAM will decrease in speed from 1333/1067 MHz to 800 MHz. There's a note at the bottom of this post talking about which RAM numbers to look for if you're on eBay looking for a used server. If you'd like more details on that open up the post and skip to the end. If you've had any experience where HP RAM didn't work correctly in a Dell Server please leave that in the comments so I can try and investigate that. Especially if it was a mix and match.
Here's my process. Before I attempt anything, I try to find someone else's first attempt and see what I should be looking out for in my own attempt. I found this post mentioning something similar to what was about to happen when I restarted my system with a different memory configuration.
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/servers/f/956/t/19452087/
The bios showed RAM values were changed. The server speeds up the boot process by ignoring verifying system components with the assumption they stay the same, when it detected the change it became angry. This matches the error/warnings I was seeing in the Unified Server Configurator after hitting F10. It took about 20 seconds after the warnings came up before it continued booting going into the Server configurator.
- Hit F10 for System Services on startup, that will take you to the USC (Unified Server Configurator).
- From there select Hardware Configuration (It's under Platform Restore in my Dell r510) and then Part Replacement Configuration (same heading as Dell r510).
- If you don't like using the mouse because it acts weird through a console window or you're just old school and forget you can now use a mouse in some bios modifications, Hit down arrow to your selection, enter, then tab to switch to second window, down arrow to Part Replacement Config
- You need to verify that "Collect System Inventory on Restart" is Enabled.
- By hitting space bar to bring up the possible options for each drop down. Change from Disabled to Enabled. We'll change it back later to speed up booting
- When the server first boots, it will take longer than expected and before the RAM check displays System configuration has changed
- As well as verify the "Part Firmware Update" is set to Match Firmware of Replaced Part.
- I did not do this step before going straight into MpMemory testing and it found my RAM changes. RAM does not have firmware to update as far as I know.
- Save by clicking finish (not escape) and exit and restart.
- I went into Hardware Diagnostics instead of exiting and rebooting followed by going to MpMemory for memory testing.
- Let me know how it goes.
Followed by this Dell support response to the problem posting.
We're getting this message when booting up our R810 after upgrading it to the full 512GB:Answered with :
Message PR1: Replaced part detected for device: DDR3 DIMM(SocketA7)
Message PR11: Part Replacement license is not present, replacement action(s) will not be performed
There is no issue with ignoring for now. This is actually an informational alert, not so much an error. Also, when you change the settings to clear the alert, the Inventory setting will increase booting time. So if you like you can revert that one back after the reboot. Just remember it anytime you change hardware, as it will maintain the hardware list from when it is run. So if it is disabled it has stale HW data.
Now that we're at the Hardware Configuration (Platform Restore Screen on Dell r510). I see Part Replacement Config. After clicking it, I get this terrible warning window which has this terrible line.
- Configure the action taken when a part replacement is detected. Note:Part replacement is a licensed feature and requires the Dell vFlash card for activation.
- note: I did not get this on my Dell r710 which has Express iDRAC, not Enterprise.(TODO)
Now what I'm hoping this means is that Dell would automatically upgrade my firmware on a new part if I have this license. This specifically doesn't matter with RAM so we'll have to test alot of this out later when I get a Dell vFlash card and toss in some networking card. What I'm dreading this means is that I'm not allowed to upgrade any hardware in this machine without some screwy license. I'm almost positive this is not the case, but assumptions can be disatrous.
Upon Choosing what the instructions say selecting Part Firmware Update is set to "match Firmware of Replacement Part" after I hit OK I get a warning saying I don't have a vFlash card and it won't work, but it puts me back to the main Configurator screen. Double checking the values are still there confirms the settings held. I'm not sure what it will do with a reboot, but we'll see.(spoiler: new values confirmed present)
However since I'm at the Hardware Diagnostics Screen as well, I'm going to see if the server even sees the new HP RAM by loading up Dell's RAM test program, MpMemory. I go to hardware diagnostics, Click Run Hardware diagnostics .Select MpMemory. Select Custom. Select all the quick tests including selecting the Scan Test which by default is not selected from quick.
It sees the expected values without a reboot, 16384 MB of memory. Good sign at the very least.
Scanning completed successfully with all tests selected.
RAM Tested
P/N 500203-061
Nanya
4GB 2Rx4 PC3-10600R-9-10-E1.1333 ECC
NT4GC72B4NA1NL-CG 0942.TW
0009P REVA NIN0939 AND 0009P REVA NIN0937
SAMSUNG
4GB 2Rx4 PC3-10600R-9-10-E1-p0
Now lets see how much RAM we can throw at it from my stockpile.
I tested 12 x 2GB of 8500E sticks in my Dell r710
24 GB
RAM to operate at 1067 MHz
e5530 max RAM MHz is 1067
157-159 Watts Idle
245-255 Watts average during early part of test of fast tests with blue ram sticks
204-210 Watts average during second half of test of slow tests with blue ram sticks
08:03:50 start 08:36:57 ~33 minutes for 1 pass
09:44:15 to complete all 3 passes
I tested 12 x 4 GB of 10600R sticks in my Dell r710
48 GB
RAM forced down to operate at 1067 MHz from 1333 MHZ possible
e5530 max RAM MHz is 1067
300-310 watts, did not record early half of test with my green ram sticks
250-253 Watts average during second half of test with green and silver ram sticks
*did not record time for test, ran 3 passes to confirm everything is running well.
07:35:30 start 10:33:30 - not bad, an hour per pass. on 48g which is 12 sticks
I tested 18 x 4 GB of 10600R sticks in my Dell r710
72 GB
RAM forced down to operate at 800 MHz
e5530 max RAM MHz is 1066
191 watts Idle 27celcius
323-329 watts during first part of test silver ram sticks
278-283 watts during the slow RAM tests with silver ram sticks
1 pass took 1hr 48minutes with dual e5530 with ram running at 800 MHz on 18sticks
round 2
195-196 Idle watts at 28 celsius
279-284 min wattage range during testing
323-329 Max wattage Range during testing
01:13:00-06:38:57 5:33 1hr 51 minutes per pass
*So that means while testing DDR3, if testing 12 ram sticks at 1067 MHz I get 1 stick fully tested in 5minutes, and with testing 18 ram sticks at 800 MHz I get 1 stick fully tested every 6minutes.
If it takes me less than 36minutes to change RAM sticks, go with 4x12.
If I'm out of the house and it takes me more than 36minutes to change the RAM sticks and start again, go with 18.
Things to check before purchasing used off eBay/craigslist
The first thing to check is if the RAM amount is less then 32 GB. If it's less than 32 GB, the server can be running UDIMMS. UDIMMS are Unregistered memory, but the server version of UDIMMS have ECC capabilities. Dell in my r510/r710 called these RAM modules 8500E. Anything over 32 GB requires RDIMMS, which means they're Registered and have ECC. In general, try to avoid UDIMMS if you're looking to upgrade your server beyond 32 GB in the future. RDIMMS do actually have to slow down a small amount to compensate for the calculations making the RAM Registered. So beware the trade off
If you're buying a used r710 and see it with 72 GB of RAM. Check if it's 18 x 4 GB Modules, because they'll be running slower than 72 GB with 8 GB sticks. Your magic numbers for full ram speed are 48 GB with 12 sticks x 4 GB, or 92 GB with 12 sticks of 8 GB.
If you're buying a used r510, the server has 8 memory slots total (4 per processor) and see it with 8 sticks of 2 GB Double check if they're UDIMMS.
Dell also has these warnings in the Owner's Manual for Dell r510:
- 1-GB and 2-GB UDIMMs are supported for a total of up to 16 GB.
- 8-GB RDIMMS are only supported on systems with hot-swappable hard drives.
- Systems with cabled hard drives do not support 8-GB and 16-GB RDIMMS and can support RDIMMS for a total of up to 32 GB.
| Friendly name | Industry name | Peak Transfer Rate | Data transfers/second (in millions) |
|---|---|---|---|
| DDR3-800 | PC3-6400 | 6400 MB/s | 800 |
| DDR3-1066 | PC3-8500 | 8533 MB/s | 1066 |
| DDR3-1333 | PC3-10600 | 10667 MB/s | 1333 |
| DDR3-1600 | PC3-12800 | 12800 MB/s | 1600 |
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