Installer crashing on Dell R730

[afusiontech]

Hi, I'd like to install Proxmox VE on a Dell PowerEdge R730 but experiencing a crash just after the installer starts to load.

Have searched for solutions and tried everything I can think of including:

• updating the server to current BIOS (2.18.XX)
• disabling various integrated devices (NIC, PCIE slots, RAID controller) via BIOS settings
• performed system hardware check in Lifecycle Controller
• installing Proxmox 8.1, 7.4 and Debian OS using 2 different USB drives
• installing Proxmox 8.1, 7.4 using virtual optical drive configured through Virtual Console launched from iDRAC

Each time a message appears:

A system restart is required.
The system detected an exception during the UEFI pre-boot environment.
Press ENTER on the serial console (@115200 8-N-1) for detailed exception info.
-------
Type: Non Maskable interrupt (02) Source: Hardware

... some codes...
LBR not available
-->rip Unknown<-- Crash occurred here
... more codes ...







ESXi 8 is currently installed on the server. Runs well.
NIC is Dell Broadcom 57800S dual 10Gb SFP+ and dual 1Gb ports / have read this device may be involved in other boot issues

Have not tried physically disconnecting any integrated devices or adjusting the RAID controller.

Would really like to test out Proxmox VE on this hardware. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[cheiss]

Hi,

you unfortunately don't seem to be the only one with that specific crash, e.g. https://forum.proxmox.com/threads/dell-r730-uefi-boot-installation-issues.118663/
Reading through that thread: Is secure boot in any way enabled in the BIOS/UEFI?

updating the server to current BIOS (2.18.XX)

Is this the latest available version per Dell? Might be worth to also check https://updateyodell.net/, whether features some newer version - if you haven't done that yet.

installing Proxmox 8.1, 7.4 and Debian OS using 2 different USB drives

So installing plain Debian 12(.4) did also not work? You could try an older version/ISO of Debian, e.g. 11.8. If that works, you should be able to upgrade to 12.4 and then install Proxmox VE on top of it without much of a hassle.

These Dell machines are really rather finicky ..

 

[afusiontech]

Hi Christoph,

Thanks for your reply.

I did see that forum post - but was not a member at that time so could not see the large version of the thumbnail pic to confirm it was exactly the same error report.

I see the OP there had success with PVE 6.4. Could we install that version and update to 8.1?
Is the error during load of the installer itself?

On our server:

Secure boot is disabled.
2.18.XX is the latest server firmware from Dell (December 2023 release)
Correct, plain Debian 12 also did not work.

Will also look at Debian 11.8 as an option. Unclear if we have the tech capabilities to install PVE there.

 

[afusiontech]

UPDATE: Installation of PVE 6.4 was successful on the R730. Updated to 7.X then 8.1 after referring to official instructions and a YouTube search (or two).

Tips on this post were also helpful.