HP ProLiant ML350 G5 Server Experiences (Part 6)
Well, the Power Supply Saga continues. Not only did I get a replacement for my latest failed power supply, but in looking at the servers I have here, we determined that I had three others in the bad batch. How to tell? Look at your label on the power supply. You'll see Model: DPS-800GB and/or SPN: 403781-001, and it will say "Rev: 03M" up above that SPN. If you have that revision, and you don't have a little yellow or green dot on the label, call your HP rep and suggest it's time for a change. ;-) (I've only seen a yellow dot, but I'm told some repaired power supplies have a green one. IAC, the dot indicates that it has had the problem part(s) replaced or verified that it never had the bad part. )
So, what was HP's response to finding out I had three bad ones still? They sent me three new ones with postpaid return labels for the bad ones. But only after the senior server support person who contacted me first ordered them up, and tested them in his lab.
In an ideal world, I'd never have had a problem with these power supplies. But the reality is that I did, and so did many others. What is clear, however, is that HP is willing to do what it takes to make sure than they get the bad ones out of circulation and replaced with good ones. The ones I got back were either Rev: 05M or Rev: 06M. And all had that reassuring little yellow dot on the label.
Now, if I could only figure a way to upgrade this little server to the newest Xeon 54xx series processors. But that's a motherboard swap, I'm afraid. Too bad. But if you're in the market for a new ML350G5 today, I'd strongly suggest specifying one with the 54xx series processors. Not only will it support more RAM, but it will use that RAM better.
Charlie.