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May 24th, 2016 07:00
Precision T7400 Multiprocessor_configuration_not_supported Windows 7 SP1
Hello
New to this forum, so welcome everybody.
I just bought a s/h T7400 (24GB memory, Bios ver A11) with multiprocessor and preinstalled Win7 32 bit. It is working fine as it is, but I want to upgrade to Windows 64 bit.
Installation from the original Windows 7 64 bit disk ends with a blue screen and "Multiprocessor_configuration_not_supported" message.
What's the catch?
Thanks for your support..
Romgoz
ejn63
9 Legend
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87.5K Posts
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May 24th, 2016 15:00
What version of 7 are you installing? It needs to be Pro or Enterprise to support two discrete CPUs -- the Basic/Starter/Home versions support only one CPU. For support of more than two CPUs, you need a server OS.
Note: the above refers to discrete CPUs -- NOT CPU cores.
Romgoz
4 Posts
0
May 31st, 2016 07:00
Hello,
Thanks for your input. It is Win7 SP1 Professional 64 bit.
The blue screen error message, apart from the line MULTIPROCESSOR_CONFIGURATION_NOT_SUPPPORTED also includes:
STOP: 0x0000003E
I tried Dell Tech support line but the guy I spoke to was completely clueless, even trying to persuade me that T7400 was never intended to run on Windows 7!!!
Any help beyond Dell's capability will be appreciated.
speedstep
9 Legend
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47K Posts
1
June 3rd, 2016 09:00
You cant mix processors with different S spec and Stepping. This is a 25 year old problem aka its been around since before windows NT.
This kind of configuration works only if the processors are identical and the Microcode of the cpu is supported in bios.
Romgoz
4 Posts
0
June 3rd, 2016 11:00
Hello
Thanks for that. I think I am aware of this requirement. To eliminate any mismatch I used Intel Processor Identification Utility on the three CPU's I have. Here are the relevant specs:
CPU #1
CPU #2
CPU #3
Version: 5.40.20151110
Time Stamp: 2016/06/02 16:44:09
Operating System: 6.1-7601-Service Pack 1
Number of processors in system: 1
Current processor: #1
Active cores per processor: 4
Disabled cores per processor: 0
Processor Name: Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5420 @ 2.50GHz
Type: 0
Family: 6
Model: 17
Stepping: 6
Revision: 60F
Maximum CPUID Level: A
L1 Instruction Cache: 4 x 32 KB
L1 Data Cache: 4 x 32 KB
L2 Cache: 2 x 6 MB
Packaging: LGA771
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep(R) Technology: Yes
MMX(TM): Yes
Intel(R) SSE: Yes
Intel(R) SSE2: Yes
Intel(R) SSE3: Yes
Intel(R) SSE4: Yes
Intel(R) AES-NI: No
Intel(R) AVX: No
Enhanced Halt State: Yes
Execute Disable Bit: Yes
Intel(R) Hyper-Threading Technology: No
Intel(R) 64 Architecture: Yes
Intel(R) Virtualization Technology: Yes
Intel(R) VT-x with Extended Page Tables: No
System Graphics: Add-in Graphics
Expected Processor Frequency: 2.50 GHz
Reported Processor Frequency: 2.50 GHz
Expected System Bus Frequency: 1333 MHz
Reported System Bus Frequency: 1333 MHz
Version: 5.40.20151110
Time Stamp: 2016/06/02 13:33:45
Operating System: 6.1-7601-Service Pack 1
Number of processors in system: 1
Current processor: #1
Active cores per processor: 4
Disabled cores per processor: 0
Processor Name: Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5420 @ 2.50GHz
Type: 0
Family: 6
Model: 17
Stepping: A
Revision: A0B
Maximum CPUID Level: D
L1 Instruction Cache: 4 x 32 KB
L1 Data Cache: 4 x 32 KB
L2 Cache: 2 x 6 MB
Packaging: LGA771
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep(R) Technology: Yes
MMX(TM): Yes
Intel(R) SSE: Yes
Intel(R) SSE2: Yes
Intel(R) SSE3: Yes
Intel(R) SSE4: Yes
Intel(R) AES-NI: No
Intel(R) AVX: No
Enhanced Halt State: Yes
Execute Disable Bit: Yes
Intel(R) Hyper-Threading Technology: No
Intel(R) 64 Architecture: Yes
Intel(R) Virtualization Technology: Yes
Intel(R) VT-x with Extended Page Tables: No
System Graphics: Add-in Graphics
Expected Processor Frequency: 2.50 GHz
Reported Processor Frequency: 2.50 GHz
Expected System Bus Frequency: 1333 MHz
Reported System Bus Frequency: 1333 MHz
Version: 5.40.20151110
Time Stamp: 2016/06/02 13:16:49
Operating System: 6.1-7601-Service Pack 1
Number of processors in system: 1
Current processor: #1
Active cores per processor: 4
Disabled cores per processor: 0
Processor Name: Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5420 @ 2.50GHz
Type: 0
Family: 6
Model: 17
Stepping: 6
Revision: 60F
Maximum CPUID Level: A
L1 Instruction Cache: 4 x 32 KB
L1 Data Cache: 4 x 32 KB
L2 Cache: 2 x 6 MB
Packaging: LGA771
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep(R) Technology: Yes
MMX(TM): Yes
Intel(R) SSE: Yes
Intel(R) SSE2: Yes
Intel(R) SSE3: Yes
Intel(R) SSE4: Yes
Intel(R) AES-NI: No
Intel(R) AVX: No
Enhanced Halt State: Yes
Execute Disable Bit: Yes
Intel(R) Hyper-Threading Technology: No
Intel(R) 64 Architecture: Yes
Intel(R) Virtualization Technology: Yes
Intel(R) VT-x with Extended Page Tables: No
System Graphics: Add-in Graphics
Expected Processor Frequency: 2.50 GHz
Reported Processor Frequency: 2.50 GHz
Expected System Bus Frequency: 1333 MHz
Reported System Bus Frequency: 1333 MHz
According to Intel's own hardware diagnostics tool, CPU #1 and CPU #3 are identical, hence I installed them and as a matching pair. Yet, every time I fire up T-7400 with two processor I can't get past BSOD with the stop code 0x0000003E. What I also notice is that the PC won't boot up even if I make it start form the Windows installation disc in the repair mode.
I know this machine can be operated with two CPU's because it came with Windows 7 Pro (32 bit) installed and the two processors showing as fully functional. What's more interesting, it was then running happily with CPU #1 and CPU #2 (not CPU #3!). The problem started when I attempted a fresh installation of Windows 7 Pro (64 bit). I managed to install Win 7 with only one CPU and then added the other, hoping that Windows will pick it up correctly. But it didn't.
According to http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/system-requirements :
"Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate allow for two physical processors"
So what's the story? Any particular setting in BIOS (ver. A11) that might be the problem?
Cheers,
RomGoz
Romgoz
4 Posts
2
June 3rd, 2016 13:00
OK, I've cracked it! I removed the processors and looked again at the markings on each of them. Here is the interesting bit:
CPU #1
CPU #2
CPU #3
SLBBL COSTA RICA
SLANV COSTA RICA
SLANV COSTA RICA
This means that according to Intel Processor Identification Utility CPU #1 and CPU #3 are identical, but according to the factory markings it is a lie!
I swapped CPU #1 with CPU #2 (now both are SLANV) and Bob's your uncle! Win 7 Pro 64 bit is now running fine! Moral of the story: trust your eyes, not the manufacturer's data.
Now, the only question that remains unanswered is:
Why the (mis)matched pair of CPU #1 and CPU #3 is able to run under Windows 7 Pro 32 bit, but NOT under 64 bit? Anyone?
Cheers,
RomGoz
ejn63
9 Legend
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87.5K Posts
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June 3rd, 2016 17:00
One guess: the memory access. 32-bit Windows means each CPU is addressing only 2G of RAM -- with 64-bit Windows, it's addressing all the RAM in the system.
That may be where the difference lies.