Optiplex 390 cpu uprade microcode update error

Question

Hi, I have an optiplex that came with a pentium G630. I upgraded it with an i5 3470 but when I turn it on the fans spin up and down forever. I switched the CPU back to stock and when I booted it says there was a CPU microcode update error. I updated the BIOS to A14 and the same thing is still happening. Any ideas why?

Thanks

redxps630 · Accepted Answer

Sorry I misunderstood the issues.  Now your issue appears simpler to understand.  390 with H61 chipset only supports Sandy bridge cpu (2nd gen) natively. Some vendor of H61 updated bios to support ivy bridge (3rd gen) including your i5-3470, but Dell by default does not like to do this type of bios update due to marketing preferences. This user unfriendly issue is seen on Dell PC across multiple models.  No wonder you got a microcode error.  If you get the same error with latest Dell bios for this model, that will prove the point.  https://www.dell.com/downloads/global/products/optix/en/optiplex-390-tech-guide.pdf

redxps630 · Answer

try reset cmos jumper on motherboard.

I had an optiplex 790 that came with pentium sandy bridge cpu which I replaced with core i7 without issue.

one thing to be careful is not to bend cpu socket pins during change.

SmugAchiever999 · Answer

How do I do that?

SmugAchiever999 · Answer

Nevermind, I cleared the CMOS and started up 1-3-2 beep code (RAM error) fixed ram and it didn't startup. put the pentium back in and still same error. I also found out that the fans weren't just spinning up and down, the PC is in a boot cycle. Any more ideas?

Thanks

redxps630 · Answer

If the fans are just spinning up and down, that suggests the board can barely start up power. It is possible that BIOS is corrupted. I had a board that did that after botched bios flash. I would also inspect cpu socket closely to exclude bent pins. lastly try to borrow another working ATX psu to test the board.

SmugAchiever999 · Answer

When I put the Pentium in it boots into windows just fine and does not have any problems. I checked for bent pins and there does not appear to be any. I do not have an extra PSU but will check the power draw tomorrow to see if the CPU is maxing the PSU out. I have also put a GT 1030 in the system with the Pentium and there are no issues concerning power so I do not think it is the PSU. It also boots into BIOS fine and I have done diagnostics but I will reinstall BIOS revision A14 just to be sure. I will also note that this issue was originally found when I still had BIOS revision A11 installed and I installed A14 to see if it would fix the issues.

SmugAchiever999 · Answer

Thanks, this has fixed the issue.

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Optiplex 390 cpu uprade microcode update error

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