SOLVED FreeNAS 9.10.2 install does not boot on HP Microserver

[Natalie Cooper]

So I just looked up the serial number and this is what it came back with

HP Micro G7 N36L NHP 250GB EU

 

[styno]

but I may need some help with the gparted.

I don't think you'll need it, the procedure applies only AFTER you got freenas installed.

 

[Natalie Cooper]

I was reading this blog post and it looks like this guy got it to work on the same server but was using 8.x

woould that be upgradeble to 10

 

[styno]

FreeNas 8 is really old, try not to go there.
What I would do if I were you:
1. breathe! ;)
2. quickly try to boot https://download.freenas.org/9.10/RELEASE/x64/FreeNAS-9.10-RELEASE.iso
3. make sure the machine is up2date in terms of bios/firmware/... Now you have entered the serial at HP, you should be able to see and download the latest versions.
4. retry
5. if all of the above fails, is there a cd/dvd present in the microserver? Can you boot from there?

 

[Natalie Cooper]

Breathing

 

[Natalie Cooper]

FreeNas 8 is really old, try not to go there.
What I would do if I were you:
1. breathe! ;)
2. quickly try to boot https://download.freenas.org/9.10/RELEASE/x64/FreeNAS-9.10-RELEASE.iso
3. make sure the machine is up2date in terms of bios/firmware/... Now you have entered the serial at HP, you should be able to see and download the latest versions.
4. retry
5. if all of the above fails, is there a cd/dvd present in the microserver? Can you boot from there?

Breathing :)


Ok so I cant download the BIOS without paying for a warranty, so thats a no go.

I have a USB CD drive, so could try that if you can suggest something

 

[styno]

I have a USB CD drive, so could try that if you can suggest something

Not yet. How does a stick with 9.10-RELEASE on it behaves in the system?

 

[Redcoat]

QUOTE="Natalie Cooper, post: 363013, member: 72638"]I have a USB CD drive, so could try that if you can suggest something

Not yet. How does a stick with 9.10-RELEASE on it behaves in the system?[/QUOTE]

There's a set of information from 2016 with a later BIOS update for the 041 version that is said to be OK for your server model too: http://www.nathanielperez.us/blog/hp-proliant-n40l-bios-modification-guide. Maybe that'll be of some help??

 

[Natalie Cooper]

Ok So

Breathing :)


Ok so I cant download the BIOS without paying for a warranty, so thats a no go.

I have a USB CD drive, so could try that if you can suggest something

FreeNas 8 is really old, try not to go there.
What I would do if I were you:
1. breathe! ;)
2. quickly try to boot https://download.freenas.org/9.10/RELEASE/x64/FreeNAS-9.10-RELEASE.iso
3. make sure the machine is up2date in terms of bios/firmware/... Now you have entered the serial at HP, you should be able to see and download the latest versions.
4. retry
5. if all of the above fails, is there a cd/dvd present in the microserver? Can you boot from there?

Ok I have just downloaded and tried the iso above. Made a USB key with Win32Imager, booted and Nothing.

I have a DVD drive but its an apple Super Drive (from my husbands mac) but I seem to remember n the past this does not work to boot from.

So to be honest, I think we have exhasuted all options. Its simply not going to work. :( Guess I will just have to not use FreeNAS.

 

[Natalie Cooper]

Not yet. How does a stick with 9.10-RELEASE on it behaves in the system?

There's a set of information from 2016 with a later BIOS update for the 041 version that is said to be OK for your server model too: http://www.nathanielperez.us/blog/hp-proliant-n40l-bios-modification-guide. Maybe that'll be of some help??[/QUOTE]

Ok I will try this and see what it does. Lets try this one more time

 

[styno]

Its simply not going to work. :( Guess I will just have to not use FreeNAS.

But it worked before!

 

[Natalie Cooper]

Ok So the BIOS Has been updated its now 10/01/2013... Tried again and nothing

Just had a thought though.. I am wondering if its the graphics driver not loading correctly .. The reason being is that i did not see the screen come up for the bios (i.e it did the same thing just went off ) but yet it did update. So I am wondering if its just not reaching the screen where the installation should happen.

No you see I have my Server connected to the TV via a VGA to HDMI adapter, and for some reason it seems that it just does not reach the next screen.

Although if its just a standard linux install screen it should work. Ubuntu etc works by getting to the next screen as does Windows so I am wondering if it actually is booting but just not displaying on the screen

 

[Natalie Cooper]

But it worked before!

yes it did.. Which is why I am so frustrated. See my post above.. the only thing I can think of is the graphics adapter.. I am sure last time i did it I just used a standard VGA screen which I no longer have and using the TV now. But this server only has VGA so I am using a converter from VGA to HDMI and I wonder if something is up with that

 

[Redcoat]

yes it did.. Which is why I am so frustrated. See my post above.. the only thing I can think of is the graphics adapter.. I am sure last time i did it I just used a standard VGA screen which I no longer have and using the TV now. But this server only has VGA so I am using a converter from VGA to HDMI and I wonder if something is up with that

You say you can boot the server into other operating systems, Is that with the hardware configuration (using the TV and VGA/HDMI convertor) you have now in place, so that it's only your FreeNAS stick that will not boot "to completion"?

 

[styno]

If you boot into Ubuntu and press alt-shift-(some f-key), does it comes back with a text-mode login prompt? Maybe idd only a graphical GUI is displayed correctly on your TV set.

 

[Natalie Cooper]

You say you can boot the server into other operating systems, Is that with the hardware configuration (using the TV and VGA/HDMI convertor) you have now in place, so that it's only your FreeNAS stick that will not boot "to completion"?

Yes thats correct.. if I use Ubuntu, Windows, CentOS all boot correctly and install to completion with that same configuration. I just tried ubuntu and works well with that config on that server

 

[styno]

Just to be sure, you booted Ubuntu in graphical mode, not in text mode?

 

[Natalie Cooper]

If you boot into Ubuntu and press alt-shift-(some f-key), does it comes back with a text-mode login prompt? Maybe idd only a graphical GUI is displayed correctly on your TV set.

Well the BIOS Screen shows correctly on that config and also it works (installs throught to completion_ BUT NOT FREE NAS.

Just tried the Same OpenNAS Stick on a different computer and it works .. But cant use that computer as it only has a 160GB drive in it

 

[Natalie Cooper]

Just to be sure, you booted Ubuntu in graphical mode, not in text mode?

Well I used the UBUNTU Workstation CD and it works well, So its kind of that graphical (text screen) ..

 

[Natalie Cooper]

If you boot into Ubuntu and press alt-shift-(some f-key), does it comes back with a text-mode login prompt? Maybe idd only a graphical GUI is displayed correctly on your TV set.

Yes it does.. It comes back with the command prompt.. Black screen with white lettering .