Start with newly built system based on ALTRAD8UD-1L2T - no VGA output

[ull]

Hey

I have an issue with a newly built system and would be happy to get some pointers on how to diagnose it.

So I tried to build my first Ampere-based system, but cannot boot it (yet): After pressing the power button and waiting for some minutes the LED situation looks like in the image below. Everything looks “green”, but no VGA output. Additionally, I tried connecting a network cable to the Mgmt port, but didn’t notice a new device on the network - I’m likely doing it wrong though.

The LED6/LED5/LED4/LED3 combination above the BMC shows ON-OFF-ON-OFF, which according to the ALTRAD8UD-1L2T manual page 16 means “Initialize SMPro/PMPro”, but it doesn’t seem to move forward from that state.

Does somebody have an idea what the issue could be or at least how to diagnose it?

[quocbao]

Firstly, check for RAM if it is in the QVL list. Only leave one stick on the mainboard.

Secondly, check your VGA cable. You should use a monitor that supports VGA input directly, not through a VGA adapter.

[ull]

@ull

ALTRAD8UD-1L2T

Hey @quocbao , thanks for responding!

I forgot to mention that I’m using a directly connected older screen that supports VGA (and hopefully still works )
My RAM is indeed not on the supported list, since the RAM on that list was quite hard to acquire. (I’m using second-hand RAM that is on the Ampere Altra AVL list as a compromise ). I’ve read that other RAM might work as well.
My question is: does the type of RAM matter for VGA output of any kind? (I’ve now tried one stick and no sticks - same result)

[quocbao]

My question is: does the type of RAM matter for VGA output of any kind? (I’ve now tried one stick and no sticks - same result)

They are different problems

In your case (black screen, no BMC access), I think you will need to access to the serial port on the mainboard to see debug logs. Do at your own risk.

[wolskies]

I think I had a similar problem with my first build. Could have sworn my RAM was good, but when I switched it out… booted fine.

[quocbao]

Yeah, I met the same situation before where my system can not be turned on with some specific memory sticks.

[ull]

@quocbao

In your case (black screen, no BMC access), I think you will need to access to the serial port on the mainboard to see debug logs. Do at your own risk.

So I’ve connected a RS232 header and a cable to a different computer. Do you know by chance what the default Baud settings are for these debug logs? (I didn’t find a hint in the manual)

[quocbao]

I guess 9600 or 115200. I didn’t try this way before. Do you see any data in the serial console ?

[ull]

No I don’t see any serial output and I don’t think serial output is even enabled by default. (Which of course is a problem since I don’t have VGA output and so I don’t think I can change any settings like remote, serial access etc, right?)

[ull]

So my question is: do you remember if you had VGA output when your RAM did not work? I even removed all my memory sticks, still no output. I assume the BMC does not really require RAM from the system (instead I assume it has its own dedicated RAM)?

[wolskies]

I used IPMI to get to BMC with a web browser. I don’t think BMC outputs to VGA

[Richard]

When there is no output to VGA output, probably the RAM initialation has issue.

Maybe you can try to check the scp output, from Altrad8ud user manual .
it can see the scp output via ssh, ex:
ssh root@ -p 2202: SCP console