Netfinity 4500r single piii proc. VRM please help!

[1suckysucky]

Hello I have a 4500r with only one proccessor. piii. I just receive this from a buddy that is out of business now. when I power it up it shows me VRM is not there. Now is there not a VRM on board for the #1 proccessor??? if so is it shot?? and is the proccessor itself shot?? Can I just get a VRM for the open pin connector and make it all better or will this not work?? Please let me know I am a newb with servers and do not want to pile in a bunch of $$$ If it is not neccesary.

Thank you ahead of time,
Silas c.
stuff@tj-pc.net

 

[rclarke250]

More info. Are you saying it doesn't boot? Server ships with cpu0 filled and cpu1 as an option. VRM 1 would be for the 2nd cpu, which should have a blank installed as it needs to be there. If you take the cover off, there should be light path diagnostics on the board to determine if there is a problem.

I shall use google before asking stupid questions!

 

[1suckysucky]

Well it was pulled from a working enviroment but not plugged in and tested until now. the LED C4 comes on meaning the on-board VRM. Now there is 1 CPU and 1 terminator. The CPU is closest to the outside of the motherboard and the terminator is on the inside. It will not even boot. "VRM" Light on problem LED strip comes on and C4 LED on the motherboard as well. Then caution light on the front panel comes on. Stays powered on but halts, shows nothing on monitor.

Do I need to replace the mother board or is this something I can fix easily?

Thank you!

 

[rclarke250]

You can try to get the vrm,and swap the cpu and the term. Sometimes this works. About half the time,other times it takes out the cpu as well. The board should be swapped out.
Rich


I shall use google before asking stupid questions!

 

[bonsky]

if it points to the VRM onthe light path you might as well.. settle the VRM first before replacing the whole mother board. There are cases that you may need to replace your VRM. IS this machine still under maintenance with IBM, otherwise just buy the VRM itself from the secondhand dealers. If my memory serves me right, theres only 1 VRM for both CPU1 and CPU2 options. The VRM itself can support up to 2 CPU. I tried to install 1 extra CPU option and it comes with VRM automatically. This will replaced the existing one.
You try to go to bios setup as well, and double check the error logs. List down all the errors and tell us here if something different comes out. Also, after copying it. try to clear the logs and reboot the machine again.
good luck!!!

 

[rclarke250]

Bonsky,the first cpu's vrm is installed on the motherboard,the 2nd is an option.1 vrm to 1 cpu. the option from IBM is an upgrade for the cpu so it includes the needed VRM. Also it doesn't boot to bios.

Rich

I shall use google before asking stupid questions!