CMOS Battery

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CMOS Battery
ABSTRACT:
There is a specific “Cube down” issue that is rather easy to fix with access to a monitor and keyboard.  For example: power outages, or a Cube is reset that has been working for some time with no issues, and suddenly gets stuck in “Starting Up”.  This bulletin will explain the steps for repairing this issue.
TECH SUMMARY:
 
If you get this “Starting Up….” Screen for more than 5-6 minutes it may be time to get a monitor and keyboard.  These must be separate monitor and keyboard that you can hook up via VGA, PS/2, or USB connection.
1)     Safely Power Down/Remove Power
2)     Plug in Monitor and Keyboard
3)     Power Server back up.  HD Cubes will have button on front
        panel. URack cubes will require technician to hold on Green
        Check mark button to power up cube.
4)     Let Cube attempt to power up.  If Cube gets stuck on failed
        (code seen below, then you have a CMOS battery issue, which
         controls the date and time settings on the server.  The server is
         attempting to load “in the future” because the server thinks its
         set to the year 1900.  This stops the start up process.  It only
         manifests itself after a power cycle.
5)     Hard power cycle the server again and when you see the
        “SUPERMICRO” screen below.  Begin hitting Delete key
        continuously until the screen goes into bios mode.  If you don’t
        hit the key in time, you will need to start back over at step 1.
BIOS SCREEN
1)     This will bring you to the BIOS Screen.  You will automatically
         be at the Main tab where you will see the date and time.
2)     Enter Day, Press Enter
3)     Enter Month, Press enter
4)     Enter Year, Press Enter
5)     Press down key
6)     Enter Hour, Press Enter
7)     Enter Minute, Press Enter
8)     Enter Seconds, Press Enter
9)     Use Right key to move to “Save and Exit Tab”
10)   Use Down key to select “Save Changes and Reset”, Press Enter

11)   Server should reboot properly
Replacing CMOS Battery:

It is a generic CR 2032 Battery dime battery.  It may be in a different location depending on the type of server you have.  Pictured below is an HD Cube.  You will not need to replace the battery to bring it back online.  However, If the server is shut down or rebooted you will have to repeat these steps every time until the battery is properly replaced.
 
CONCLUSION:
At first this may be alarming, especially if it happens in the middle of the night.  But this document can be passed to end users as well.  If the front of the Cube now properly displays the facility name and the monitor is asking for a username, then you have completed boot up.  It is a simple starting up issue related to a dead battery that can easily be replaced to get you going.