This BIOS does not support the level of hardware in this system

I am having this problem in my E1705 going from the very slow T2300E to the T7400. Any ideas anyone?

The system does boot into Windows and seems to work just fine, BIOS is A10.

You need to reinstall the original processor.  When you upgrade processors it is necessary to update the BIOS first if you are to avoid running into this problem.  If the BIOS does not support the current processor, the board will not clear POST nor will it boot to allow a BIOS change.

EDIT:  Some Dell BIOS versions will allow the computer to run anyway despite the the lack of support for a specific processor, but the processor microcode will not be updated.  The microcode contains updates for various processors that correct problems or allow greater efficiency with execution of the processor routines.  Most of the time lack of the update will not seriously impede the functioning of the processor, but there is no way to avoid display of the error message except to install a supported processor.

Regrettably, Dell is not kind enough to post a list of processors deemed compatible with their machines.  There are some folks on this board who have more knowledge on this topic than I, but examining the specs that accompany the XPS 1210 owners manual, I see that the machine supports Core Duo processors having up to 2 MB of L2 cache.  The Intel spec sheet on the T7400 indicate 4 MB of L2 cache.  Experience with past Dell machines suggests that the main board, including the BIOS, must be designed to handle this aspect of a processor.  You might want to consider a Core Duo processor having no more than 2 MB of L2, along with the appropriate FSB speed.

I have the E1705.

Did you not have this problem with the previous BIOS?  I would expect that if you managed to get the system to work well enough to flash the BIOS to A10, that should have fixed the problem if you have installed a compatible processor.  Are you sure that A10 installed?

It has the latest A10 BIOS. Are you saying to put back in the original processor, and re-apply the A10 BIOS? Then, shutdown and install the T7400?

The A10 has been installed for a while now. It was upgraded to A10 when it came out last year.

I just installed the new processor today. So there is no newer BIOS I can apply. If I try to re-apply A10 with the new CPU T7400 in, it says Unsupported Hardware.

Apologies for the mis-identification, but the info is the same.  The specs for the E1705 indicates that this machine will accept a Core Duo processor having 2 MB of L2 cache and a 667 MHz FSB.

It is nice to see some recent responses in my thread even tho there is no solution for this annoying problem.

The reason could be that the T7400 processor is a SL9SK model which may not recongised by the bios (latest firmware version) or M1210 motherboard.  If I was using SL9SE model, it should work, based on looking at other forums.

I have tested the processor and I have not seen any negative performance or heat impact so I am happy however I would like to remove the loud beep during the boot up warning.  Does anybody know how to do this? (please do not suggest to remove the speakers)

I don't think you can remove the warning, it's simply not possible unless Dell were to issue an update to the BIOS for that processor. That is about as likely, or even more unlikely, than winning the state lotto. It's not going to happen.

I'd suggest getting a supported CPU and selling that one or just keeping it if you can handle knowing you are running an unsupported CPU. I'm going to go ahead and sell the T7400 I just bought.

It's a shame too but the performance difference (I bought it for Starcraft 2) wasn't that great afterall. What made the difference was upgrading to the Nvidia Go 7900GS.

It is the SLGFJ which is a new stepping of this CPU, see this thread: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=82772&start=0. Basically this CPU is newer than what the BIOS on this board expects for stepping (hence the Microcode upate failure).

I'd need to find an older revision of this CPU to have it work properly. I'm thinking of trying to trade with someone.

Depsite getting the annoying error, there is a big performance benefit where I was able to convert a video into a different format within 10 mins instead of 30 mins. That is impressive result.  Even I ran 3DMark (benchmark software) which highlights that I am getting about 30-40% more processing power. 

Another benefit, I choosen this processor as it is a 64bit CPU which allows me to install Windows 7 64bit version or Snow Leapard.

For you, nowday the game requires better video processor hence you have to invest more on the video card.

Did you install a 64-bit OS? I've heard differing advice on how much RAM the board can then support wiht a 64-bit OS. Some say it will work, other say the board itself will be limited to the 32-bit addressing, etc... i'm not really sure what to believe.

I'd love to put 4GB into this laptop but not if the board itself is limited to 3.2 GB or whatever 32-bit is limited to.

As for the beep, I can only think to disconnect the laptop speaker somehow from the motherboard. I know in desktops there is a seperate motherboard speeker for the beep, at least I think there is (been a while since I've built a desktop), that you can simply disconnect from the motherboard.

I'm getting the older revision CPU soon, hopefully today or tomorrow, I'll post up here how it is working. If it is, I can tell you where I got it, it was only $129.00 with free shipping. I think that's a pretty good deal. I'm then going to sell the other one on eBay so in the end I should come close to breaking even.

If this whole revision thing is the reason for this, then I am a little po'd at Dell for not putting a Microcode update out (BIOS update). Seems like if a board supports a CPU, then update it. The revision I have is the last one they made, so my understanding is they support all revsions except this one... c'mon just put an update out for it and support them all!

Overall I'm somewhat glad to have gone through this, as it's a good learning experience! So far I'm only out $119.00 for the first CPU, and that's going back up on eBay anyways.

Quick question, what are your CPU temps? How about video card, you have the 7900GS rght?

I've only got thermal pads i'm going to use on the CPU and I'm thinking of putting a pad on the 7900gs as well (unless it already has something). The temps of the 7900 are usually around 60 in my system. I know without any pad or greese the CPU will be around or above that.

Yes I did, I have installed Snow Leopard which is a 64bit OS.  You are correct the RAM is limited to 3.2 GB is due to the motherboard/bios issue hence I can see 3.2 GB RAM avaiable in the BIOS setting... Another annoying problem however it is advisable to use two same RAMS (in my case 2 x 2Gigs Ram) to gain performance benefit via Dual Channel feature.

Good luck on your CPU swap.  Let me know how it goes.