Symptoms
Scenario 1:
PowerEdge node fails to boot. iDRAC console doesn't proceed past "configuring memory...Done." iDRAC shows the following error:
The NVDIMM battery was not ready, possibly due to incomplete charge or a transient battery event
Scenario 2:
After a power outage, several PowerFlex appliance storage nodes report a degraded battery. iDRAC shows the following error:
The NVDIMM battery is not ready either because the battery is not fully charged or a transient battery event
System history:
Servers were deployed / installed almost a year after shipping to site.Sales did not replace any parts.
Scenario 3:
Errors seen in iDRAC console during a new Install:
2023-06-13 07:40:17 344 UEFI0304 Unable to complete the NVDIMM Save operation because Battery is not ready. All NVDIMM modules will be set to write-protected mode.
2023-06-13 07:40:16 342 UEFI0304 Unable to complete the NVDIMM Save operation because CPLD is not Armed. All NVDIMM modules will be set to write-protected mode.
Figure 1: Screenshot of error messages
On Site Observation:
The NVDIMM battery has no charge and does not appear to actually charge.Observed that LEDs are blinking green. The server was left powered up for several hours to allow battery to charge.
Cause
Issues are seen with batteries that have not been charged for an extended period of time.
The following logs are reviewed to investigate the NVDIMM battery issue:
TSR Report with the 'Debug Logs' option selected. (For instructions, see Dell article 126308, Export a SupportAssist Collection Using an iDRAC9 VMsupport bundle (if applicable) of affected node SOS Report (if possible to install and use)
Errors seen in LCLogs using Thunder Tech Console (login required) to filter:
Figure 2: Errors seen in LCLogs
Resolution
For new installs, replace NVDIMM batteries.
For existing systems, follow KB PowerFlex Procedure to update firmware to mitigate an issue of NVDIMM batteries losing charge | Dell US to mitigate NVDIMM batteries from loosing charge.
This fix includes the following actions:
Update iDrac to minimum versionCheck for bad NVDIMM battery / replacing if applicableBIOS upgrade (if applicable)CPLD upgrade
NOTE: The battery takes approximately 60 minutes to charge.Verify that the charge is complete:
Look for a green check mark next to the NVDIMM battery in the iDRAC UI.TSR indicates that the System Board NVDIMM battery is Good (and no further error messages or alerts are seen).
