Take 3 minutes to read this article
Here at CentricsIT, we are your IT experts. When any IT maintenance issue arises in your data center, we are here to help. If there is an error code you can’t fix, let us assist you in our monthly FixIT column. This month, we’re focusing on the Dell error:
E0F0B_POST_ROM_CHKSUM Faulty or improperly installed expansion card
This is an LCD Status Message error code that is likely to occur in the Dell PowerEdge servers. There are a few steps to go through first to make sure that the error message is properly indicating the problem.
- Clear the system event log – this can be done remotely, but it will cause the loss of event history for the system
- Chassis intrusion – when the cover is removed, it tricks the system into thinking the error is being addressed and is fixed once the cover is replaced.
- Turn off – power down the system and disconnect from the power source, wait ten or so seconds, and restart the system.
If you power on the hardware and the error message is still there, this could indicate that the expansion card is faulty or was improperly installed. If the expansion card was installed incorrectly, remove the card and reinstall.
Gently press the release tab so the card-retention latch opens. From here, be sure to disconnect any cables attached to the card. If you are replacing the existing expansion card, reconnect the cables and replace the card. This should cause the error code to close out if the issue was caused by the expansion card being installed incorrectly. However, if the error code still remains even after the reinstallation, this likely means that the expansion card is faulty.
Once a new expansion card is acquired, replace the faulty one. Release the card-retention latch again and remove the card. Disconnect the cables again and prepare the new card for installation. Once the card is replaced, the error message should go off and systems should return to normal.
If this does not create a solution to the error message, then the issue may lie within the system board. If you have done all of the above steps and the LCD Status Message still remains, the next step would be to replace the system board.
A quick summary on how to replace a system board:
- Open the case and unplug all of the connected cables
- Remove all RAM sticks and processors
- Remove any expansion cards that are connected
- Lift out plastic fan mounts
- Pull out power supplies enough so that they are not connected to the board
- Locate the blue tab on the main board
- Pull this tab
- This should allow you to lift the system board out of the server
- Replace with new system board
This should resolve the error code issue. If the error code still remains after following the steps above, this can indicate an even greater issue.
If you have any further questions about this error, contact our dedicated IT support staff by calling us toll free at 1 (877) 531-7466. CentricsIT offers data center services including data center hardware maintenance and support, and we can help you get the most out of your data center, regardless of its size.
