Bios PW on Netfinity 5000

[BSoDeD]

Hi all,

I recently bought an used netfinity 5000, and it was working just fine untill the machine booted with a pw prompt.

I haven't got a clue what the pw is, I didn't put it in. The guy I bought the machine from is nowhere to be found.

I already tried to bypass the pw-prompt with the switches on the mainboard, didn't work. Tried to flash the machine, didn't wotk either.

I read on the IBM site that if there is an admin pw on the machine and it is forgotten, a new systemboard would be necessary. I hope this a slightly exagerated.

Can anyone give me some tips as how to get into the machine/delete the pw/or just boot?

BSoDeD

 

[ibmtech65]

When you say you tried to bypass the PW I assume you are refering to the switch block by the processors and change switch 8 to ON, that is to bypass a power on PW but if you have a admin password set then the only way to clear that is to replace the sysbrd. You could try shorting out the cmos battery by removing it, be careful you dont break the clip, and then turn on power to the server for 5 seconds then put the battery back in and pray.
If that does not work you can always use the server has a door stop.

Ray Liles
IBM/Intel Remote Technical Support Specialist
IBM Global Services
Atlanta Ga.

 

[BSoDeD]

yeah I tried to bypass the pw with switch8 on, flashed the bios using switch5.

Already tried your idea, but what the heck, I tried it again, but it didn't work though......

Anyone else got any ideas?

 

[catorze]

It's not exaggerated. The Netfinity servers support C2 security. If it's lost, a planar replacement is required.

 

[BSoDeD]

Well I did it. I got rid of the admin password on the system, and installed w2ksvr.
Everything seems to work fine.
The systems says that the serviceprocessor is malfunctioning (POST error 1600).
Can anyone tell me what the "service processor" is and what it does?

thanx in advance....

 

[catorze]

The Netfinity 5000 contains an integrated Advanced Systems Management Processor (ASMP) that monitors the server's components (voltages, temperature sensors, fans, PFA-enabled hardware). It's designed for local or remote (via interconnection) management and monitoring of the server. Based on the error code you received, it's working, but failed to respond to the system at POST. Recommend actions are:
1. Disconnect power from the system for 20 seconds (to reset the ASMP).
2. Reconnect power to the system and wait 30 seconds (to allow the ASMP to initialize).
3. Power on the system - normal boot into OS.
4. Flash the ASMP firmware.

You should know that the system BIOS should be flashed to the current version before flashing the ASMP. After flashing the ASMP, you should enter CMOS, Load Default Settings, Save & Exit CMOS, then boot the OS. There is a device drive for the ASMP that should be installed (it will get rid of the unknown device in Device Manager). If the error continue to occur after perfroming the actions above, the planar should be replaced (the ASMP is built-in).

 

[eositis]

It seems I have the same problem with two nefinity 4500R servers installed some years ago, and the tech put in a password of his own choosing. Unfortunately I now need to do a memory upgrade on these machines and they lock up asking for the admin password due to the changed mem config. By chance, could you please post how you were able to clear the old password?

thanks

 

[ibmtech65]

If it is a admin password you had better be able to get a hold of the tech that put the admin password there because the only why to clear a admin password is to replace the sysbrd.

 

[BSoDeD]

The way I got my pw out is as following

I first took ook the bios and shorted the pins as desribed on

http://www.plasma-online.de/index.h....de/english/help/solutions/bios_password.html

The chip serial wasn't exactly the same, but I figured it would work.

When I put the chip back in, I accidently put it in the wrong way. I only figured that out when the screen stayed black. I powered of the sys and put the bios in the right way. I have to say that it was really hot when I took it out. When I booted the sys, it didn't ask for a pw.

The only thing that appears to be damaged was the serviceprocessor which gives error 1600. After I flashed the SP as described above, the sys seems to be 100% operational and stable.

I still don't know if it was the shorting of the pins on the chip, or the fact that i put it in the wrong way. I'm just grateful that the sys is working (no sys is gonna beat me! )

Since there is obvious way to remove the pw, you could try my way. If you reall mess up the board, you can always replace it.

This method is not garantueed to work and I take absolutely no responsability for any kind of damage caused to your system.

 

[eositis]

Gents-

Thanks for the info. I will try the pin shorting solution next week when I go back to the site. I already had a chat with the tech who did the install, unfortunately he also has no idea what he set on the machines three years ago.

If all else fails, I will have IBM swap out the boards. At least then I will get the latest rev. This is the machine is an x340, but identical to a Netfinity 4500R and a Netfinity 5100. I have already had two boards fail at another location. It seems that there is a problem on the older ones with the onboard VRM. When the vrm goes, it takes the CPU with it. If you don't catch it immediately, if the machine is configed with a dual cpu, the plugin VRM also dies and takes the second cpu with it too. Fortunately, in both cases IBM replaced the board, both processors and the plugin vrm at no cost. No questions or hard time either.