Vintage IBM Servers New life with upgrades! Installing new Windows and flashing BIOS IBM xSeries 226
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- Опубликовано: 22 окт 2022
- Surprising solution to get these 16 year old NOS $25 servers secure & Silent!
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Part 1: Unboxing video here: • NOS IBM Servers unboxi...
Part 2: Testing video here: • Video
Part 3: This video
Part 4: Repairing the motherboard: • Recapping NOS IBM Serv...
BIOS Unobtainium: pastebin.com/Cyc33e2i
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Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio 
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Part 1: Unboxing video here: ruclips.net/video/11Kok2iZzdQ/видео.html
Part 2: Testing video here: ruclips.net/video/6lMLdbfnd88/видео.html
Part 3: This video
Part 4: Repairing the motherboard: ruclips.net/video/KgE6oYVDTIo/видео.html
Sorry to learn about the bulging caps.
I was going to point out that on the boot menu it seems to have a + sign next to the removable and hard drive options. In BIOS like that, you have to press the + key to "break out" the other options. I've noticed that most of the times when you've selected "removable drive" the floppy led flashes for a second. And on older machines, like that one, the USB stick may be in the "hard drive" option and not on "removable drive, specially bigger capacity USB drives.
Also, I would check with CPUid, or on intel ARK which features that CPU has or lacks - had a similar problem in a computer with an older CPU that you just not install Windows 10 (32 or 64 bit) because it lacked some CPU feature/instruction set that was required.
No worries, we'll recap it in the next vid. The only annoying thing is that I placed an order for caps for some other projects last week! lol. I have tried to press "+" but nothing happened. Let's hope the CPU I have ordered works on the board!
When you were installing ram around the 3:20 mark, I noticed at least four bulging or blown capacitors, that might have something to do with a few of the problems you're experiencing with this server.
How the hell could I miss that!! You are right! I just checked and they really are bulging. Some of them have started to spill their guttiwuts. Well, this was interesting from a vintage computer perspective. This means that the caps from the "capacitor plague" (1999-2007) do get bad even without use. Well, I guess we have to do a recap in the next video about this server. Well spotted! Thanks!
@@Epictronics1 I actually have a couple of Foxconn Socket 754 boards that I bought new in box that had popped Nichicons. Literally went bad with zero use. Replaced them with Panasonic FCs that were a hair large but still fit.
@@ironhead2008 Popped Nichicons! I never thought I'd hear those two words in the same sentence. Yeah, Panasonics are a safe bet for sure. I'll see if they are available and reasonably priced when I place my next order. I just received caps this week for three other boards :/
@@Epictronics1 They might have been UCC, it's been awhile sine I swapped them out. I had a few bulged ones in an old S478 board from '02. Nichicon wasn't immune.
@@ironhead2008 Maybe they got a batch of counterfeit ones. Nichicons usually start to leak when they're 30-40 years old...
I used to test IBM servers back in 2000-2001. I worked at IBM at RTP testing their RAID controllers.
That must have been a really fun place to work at back then
Servers have IPMI and BMC which handles both fans and temperature
Speedfan is inadequate here. Speedfan was designed for standard hwmon cups like lm75 or winbond97xxx, nothing of such is being used in any recent server (by recent I mean anything after first xeon).
If you have everything right and it is NOT HPe server, then it should be surprisingly quiet.
I have Dell PowerEdge R715 (2x socket G34, AMD Opteron 6180SE each) and R815 (4x socket G34, AMD Opteron 6180SE each) and they are fine for bedroom (not while sleeping tought, as I barely can bare Hard Disk Drive spinning while sleeping)
Yes, they are as quite as a normal PC without any mod. But to keep them in the studio they have to be whisper quiet. Thanks for the info!
Honestly, for this use case you don't need a server. My argument for having a server instead of a regular PC (or a workstation, if better hardware, e.g. Xeon CPU and ECC memory are needed) is remote management capability, so you can turn on the computer over a web interface, use a virtual console and mount ISOs to a virtual CD/DVD drive.
And since no powerful hardware is needed for a file server, I would go down the Atom/Celeron route. For example, a Celeron N3150 has a TDP of only 6W. You can cool that thing passively. The HP Microserver line could be another alternative. I've used a Gen7 Microserver with an AMD N36L CPU for years running Synology DSM 6.1.2 without a single hiccup.
You are absolutely right. But this is a lot more fun : )
@@Epictronics1 I know. That’s why I have two Dell PowerEdge R320 servers in a proper 26U rack :) The more powerful (with a 10 core Xeon and 4x4TB of SAS drives) eats up about 120W. The other one has a low power 8 core CPU with 4x3TB SATA drives and serves as an offline backup of the other one (in case I’d get a ransomware). I only turn it on once a week and only for the time it needs to sync my data.
@@AttilaSVK :)
Can't wait for your video!
We finally had some progress!
@@Epictronics1 I'm glad that the bios update works!
Awesome video. I have just got an Eserver X232 8668 and after the latest bios but have the same issue as you
Thank you. The X232 is really cool. Unfortunately, it turned out that this server had leaky caps. I made a video repairing it.
ruclips.net/video/KgE6oYVDTIo/видео.html
I use a Dell PERC H310 in my main desktop; this is an OEM version of the LSI MegaRaid 9211-8i. I put an IT mode BIOS on it and it works very well in my setup.
I'll check it out, Thanks!
That’s a cool project! So weird that windows 10 is the one working here! Thanks for the video!
Thanks! Yeah, I was really surprised! I will make a last attempt to install 64 bit OS with a new CPU i the next vid.
Not all USB drives are created equally. Had a server install a while ago where I had serious problems, it trued out that a bunch of different USB drives would not install cleanly on that server (primarily Adata drives) but found that Kingston drives worked. Might be something to try?
Absolutely, I never thought of that. I'll try a different drive next time it gives me trouble. If I can find a drive small enough...
I'd personally go the Linux route for this type of older server. You should also be able to rule out/in 64-bit support by looking up the official Intel spec sheet for the CPU.
I am considering Linux. These Xeon's are 64-bit but they lack a feature that W2016 requires. I have ordered slightly newer CPU's to try out in the next video
For a Linux file server, Open Media Vault is probably a good choice for something like this.
@@souta95 Thanks, I'll take a look
@@Epictronics1 honestly, i don't particularly understand why bother with windows to begin with
You can get PC fans with built-in temperature probes, which may be an easy way out of your fan issues. There are also separate controller boxes which let you do the same thing with standard fans.
I had such a solution in my previous file server. I could reuse that controller or get something more modern. Now I only need to figure out how to use the temp values from the CPU sensor. I'm not aware of an easy way to stick a sensor to the CPU
@@Epictronics1 I just stuck the probe as deep into the CPU heatsink fins as possible. It won't be super accurate but it should be good enough.
No Execute and NX bit are the same thing, you turned off the setting that needed to be on
Ah, hahaha. Well I turned it on again :) Ok, so that was not the issue then. Let's hope the new CPU works on this board
I bought a LSI SAS 9212-4i that supposedly came pre-flashed in IT mode (non-RAID), which was pretty cheap off eBay. I think I paid
I'll check it out, thanks!
If it's just for storage, I would have gone the TrueNAS route. I haven't checked but in general you have a lot less hardware compatibility issues.
For cheap SAS/SATA I have used the Highpoint RocketRAID 2720SGL. There do exist non-RAID versions as well (Rocket) allthough the RocketRAID can be used as JBOD. It has the possibility for 8 SATA drives through Mini SAS to SATA forward breakout cabled (the forward bit is quite important otherwise it doesn't work). Highpoint doesn't have the best of reputations but I haven't had any issues with these things (I own two). They work just fine with Windows as well.
There are a lot of HBA's that can be used as well. But what I found that a lot of them have low max disk size limitations. I didn't run into that with the 2720SGL.
I'll check it out, thanks!
I have this old HP DL585 G1 server. Well they don't really call it a g1. But the next model was a G2. Anyway the os support on it was 2008 server but not 2008R2. So I'm thinking how stupid that is. Dell servers around that time could do R2 for most of them. Anyway the discs that automated the setup for windows server could not be used. But I never use those disks anyway. I was able to do a clean install with all software and monitor software. The stupid part is I forgot what was not suppose to work on it. Couldn't find the article again. But the ILO, System heartbeat, and all monitor stuff for raid worked just fine. Then again hp is wondering why they are having issues competing against Dell. My personal fav was when they said unless the bios was needed to fix a major issue. Like the server locking up randomly. You needed to pay for the bios. A day or so later Dell said the bios for Dell servers are free and will continue to be.
Too bad about the Boulder FTP site. That's where I got my copy of PC-DOS 2000.
The internet is getting old! Someone should make a copy of it for preservation lol
I wouldn't even bother with windows. Once you fix those bulging caps I would just install OpenMediaVault, which is made for being a file server and will run on basically anything as it is just Debian. Its all set up and managed via a WebGUI and its great. I use it. If there isnt a specific package for OMV, you can just install debian packages and they work just fine.
You can either install it from an OMV dedicated distro installer, or install it on top of an existing Debian install if one doesn't exist for your specific architecture.
Thanks, I may try it out if I can find the time. But now I guess I need to order some caps...
@@Epictronics1 Best of luck!
@@draggonhedd Thanks :)
I always use Open Hardware Monitor for CPU/GPU temps and fan speeds
I'll try it out, thanks!
I found Argus Monitor to be a good fan controller. Not free but worth the low price IMO.
I'll probably try it out, thanks!
I’m so friggin relieved that the BIOS at least loaded! I’m going to pretend that it had absolutely anything to do with you eventually being able to get at least Windows 10 installed. Did you happen to try running the “Advanced Setup Utility” I included? I doubt it will help, but I’m curious whether it has some sort of management engine that provides access to firmware level settings not available in the BIOS.
AAAAnyway, here’s “Evan’s (possibly not completely) stupid suggestions” Round 2:
---------------
PROBLEM NUMBER FIRST
(The gotdamb installer not loading)
1. Using a SATA to USB dongle, connect a second 2.5” Drive to whichever system is running Rufus.
2. Making sure to check the Rufus ‘Advanced Options > List USB Hard Drives’ option, burn your Windows 10 or Server .ISO to your new Windows Installation Boot Drive.
3. On completion, remove this drive from the USB to SATA dongle and install it (via SATA) in the 226.
4. Boot from this new SATA installation drive. You might need to change the boot order to prioritise this new drive, though I would probably reformat|remove|replace your current Windows drive just for isolating any new/existing gremlins.
---------------
PROBLEM TWOMERO DOS
(The thingy doesn’t start automagically)
The problem with your fan control software not loading at boot is inherent to non-server editions of Windows in that third party / program services don’t run until user login. There is a clean-ish solution though, direct from the Microsoft Sysinternals admin tool suite.
1. Ensuring you indicate and shoulder check, zipper merge on to the information superhighway following the signage for “Google”.
2. Go ahead and smash on your keyboard the search query “Sysinternals Autologon”.
3. The first-ish result should be a “learn.microsoft.cantWriteDotComOnRUclipsDotCom(ments)” page. I mention this, because that’s what you want to click on. (So click on it).
4. Congratulations, you’ve found TheThingYouNeed.exe (and the documentation on how to use / secure it).
5. There is no step 5, but I’m taking this time to recommend that if you do end up using Windows 10 (or any non-server Windows OS) that you also look at the Sysinternals Autruns.
6. It gives you significantly greater control over what services / programs run at boot. Since you’re running a modern OS on a “people un-ironically listening to the Black Eyed Peas” era system, using this to manage your limited resources by trimming unnecessary processes (RIP gamebar.exe) is probably (maybe) a good idea.
7. Look more at all of the Sysinternals suite. It once saved me after weeks of troubleshooting an issue caused by an Azure GMSA account having the wrong Date/Time format.
---------------
P.S. Thanks for the shoutout! I’m going to go ahead and update my CV with : Author of the Acclaimed Vintage IBM Service Manual “Notes and Descent into Madness.txt”
Speaking of both my CV and abrupt segues, I’m currently funemployed! If anyone is looking for a UK based Canadian to do [Pretend this says the specific IT Role you’re hiring for] at your place of Business, I know a guy (me) who knows a guy (me again).
I’m passionate about [Thing you do at TechJobsForEvanPlease Corp Ltd]. I consistently achieve [Gross Exaggeration] in [Buzzword], am certified in [Relevant Skill] while maintaining thorough(ly sarcastic) documentation.
The project got halted! If you haven't read the pinned comment yet, The caps are leaking on the MOBO! Before proceeding, I need to order some fresh caps and make a recap video. How about W10 Enterprise LTSB? I haven't done my reading yet, but it looks to be a pre-debloated-w10. Unfortunately, MS has priced it stupidly with some additional licenses, making it pretty expensive. I have not tried the Advanced Setup Utility yet but I will for sure! Never heard of bad caps causing intermittent USB boot but it's possible!
Cool
The error you get there (0x000000C4) may be because of the CPU. It may be missing some instructions (CMPXCHG16B I saw somewhere). So, you may try an older OS, another version of the OS, Linux or try to upgrade the CPU.
Thanks. I have bought slightly newer CPUs to try out in next project video. Unfortunately older MS OS are not supported anymore but I will consider Linux for this project
@@Epictronics1 I just cant wait to see your next videos. That is why I subscribed
@@sebastian19745 :)
Your videos are fantastic, but I can't decide; do YOU sound like Christopher Walken, or does Christopher Walken sound like you? All joking aside, please keep making your fantastic content! I'm lovin' it!
lol, thanks :)
Many thanks for this video. I happen to have an IBM eServer 226 and I was surprised to learn that IBM has quit their ftp support of old files. Happy for the BIOS-info given here. I will upgrade ASAP...
Edit. Seem like the link to the file is expired...Could you reactivate the link, please?
😄
I'm not the author of the Pastebin page and I have no control over its content, unfortunately.
Mod the bios to add in intel matrix raid conntroller. Will boot the ssd. Had to do that on old dell vostro systems in the office many years ago
cool project. I'm going to run this system without RAID
@@Epictronics1 needs the matrix raid bios to boot from an ssd in achi mode
This sounds like a good suggestion - but I’m getting a bit “How To Draw Your Owl” stuck on understanding the “Mod The BIOS” step.
Is there a utility for doing this kind of thing? Or is the true Step 1 of the process “Learn Assembly”?
@@annix493 ruclips.net/video/dR4xA3EXPDA/видео.html utilities to do so. Had to do this on a core 2 system to get the ssds to boot. Did it on my i7 920 system to get trim working on an ssd raid. Still a thing
I went back to your first video on this computer and the Capps looked good. However in this video they look bad @ 3:20 ?? Does that mean they started to bulge as soon as you started to used the computer / turn it on ?? Also make sure to check the PSU caps :) Just out of interest it would be cool to see how well this file server can game and encode films over the network.
Interesting, I never though to check. Thanks for the heads up about the PSU. I hope to order new caps next week
W10 as a server also not bad. Just he sure to disable all the telemetry and debloat all the junk before deployment.
yeah, I'll see if I can find a copy of LTSB W10
@@Epictronics1 another option (mentioned in my other bigger dumber-er comment) for debloating your current 32-Bit Win10 install is the Sysinternals Autoruns utility.
@@annix493 I'll try it out, thanks!
Bro i just want the case the rest is prety usles
lol. Well, there is some truth to that. The case is by far the best part of this machine. I may very well reuse it for a sleeper project when I'm done with this mini-series
Have you thought of taking a windows server iso and a windows 10 iso and you swap the wim files over. That might help find a way around the boot for install issue. Just a thought.
Thanks for the suggestion. I may look into this solution later. Right now I need to recap the MOBO before we can proceed
is the bios UEFI enabled as windows 10 64 requires it for installation
Now you can start an 8 part series trying to get some Linux running on this machine. Either that or it just works first try.
Hahaha, Well if you think this "mini-series" is too long, a viewer just spotted that the caps on the board have blown and spilled their guttiwuts. This is going to be a very long "mini-series"
We all started off knowing nothing about anything - the first time any of us came across Windows, it would have taken an "eight part mini series" to install it.
I have no issue with others comparing Linux to Windows and then favouring Windows for their own entirely valid and technical reasons - but do the comparison fairly and equally. You can't compare installing Linux as a complete newbie to installing Windows far more quickly when you've probably been working with Windows for years anyway.
I could deploy one of these servers fully functional within 30 minutes on Gentoo Linux - because I use it every day of my life and can just clone an existing installation over to it using a bootable CD / USB stick and the "rsync" command.
@@terrydaktyllus1320 Exactly. My reasoning was "you're familiar with Windows that's why it's gonna install faster". Personally I switched to Ubuntu (Mate) after WinXP.
@@senilyDeluxe Fair enough and point taken.
I started with Linux back in 1997 and distro hopped for 6 years before settling on Gentoo in 2003. Up to the death of Windows 7 I was using Linux and Windows equally, I really liked XP and always thought Windows 7 was a "step down", though just about bearable.
I bought a new Lenovo laptop about 6 years ago, it came with Windows 8 - I booted it up, played with it for 20 minutes while laughing hysterically and then formatted it with Windows 7 and a Gentoo dual boot.
That was the day I decided I was done with Windows as soon as Windows 7 died.
@@terrydaktyllus1320 Yeah, although I think it might be worth it in the long run. Getting Linux on these machines and read enough on the topic to feel confident that they are securely set up is quite the time investment.
i use Open Hardware monitor, seems to see most information on motherboards
I'll give it a try, thanks
I wonder if TP Fan Controller would work, you know like what we use on ThinkPads? I still think you should have tried one of the Windows Home Server versions! 😆
The thought crossed my mind while I was working on the T60! Perhaps I should try. But now this project is halted (see pinned comment) I considered Home server but Microsoft ended support back in 2016 :(
@@Epictronics1 M$ support lol, what's that worth? Just keep it off the interwebs! 🤣
@@ted-b Well, If I could I would :) The plan for this project is to see if we can make it secure and useful for "modern" use. The other Server though! We'll have some fun with vintage Windows and noisy SCSI :)
@@Epictronics1 You do what you want, love your vids!
@@ted-b Thanks :)
What happens if you boot it from Linux?
I'll try and see! However, now I need to order some caps :/ (see pinned comment)
you might try and app called real temps it works in placed that core temps does not
I'll try it out, thanks
Nice hardware, shame about the OS. These would work great with a build of Gentoo Linux - I don't see the point of installing a sub-standard Windows version that isn't even supported any more.
There is a part 3 uploaded now, where I managed to install supported windows. I am however considering linux also. ruclips.net/video/oLquYa38lW0/видео.html
Tried to post a suggestion but both times it was deleted. Wish I could help....
That is so annoying, YT removes many comments without any apparent reason. The only known reason to me is when the post has links
Same here, I had to do a good ol’ “Send a Pastebin link via Twitter” last time 😅.
So, yah, i would ditch windows and just install Linux and use ZFS
Well, the OS is installed and working. I think I'd better take care of the caps right now (see pinned comment)
@@Epictronics1 well, you commented in a previous video wanting to run a modern OS that was securable, I would argue that linux would be a better choice hear to keep those machines secure and running for a longer time, than an older version of windows, as Microsoft eventually will drop support. also IBM & *nix is a better fit theme wise. However to each their own.
@@_SR375_ I think you're right. I'll try to find the time to read up on Linux. I have only used RH briefly about 20 years ago
@@Epictronics1 , there are plenty of us Linux folk, who would be willing to give you a hand.. Debian is with a look as well
Get Linux!
Why does everyone want to use shitty USB drives for windows.... use a DVD or CD rom.
I tried with a DVD in this project but the problem was the same. Some OS are too large for a DVD
I suspect it’s for the same reason people comment “Why don’t you try (thing they tried later on in the video)”
@@Epictronics1 usb don’t last. Which OS doesn’t fit on a dual layer dvd ? I have server 2012 2016 and 2019
@@Bewefau My w2016 iso is 6.97Gb (downloaded from MS)
@@Bewefau USB doesn’t last... whut??
I love optical drives, but installing a modern OS from a thumb drive is a much MUCH more pleasant experience. More to the point - who cares?