2900 iii Error 1410 when upgrading to E5450 CPU

Since you didn't really provide any details, these would be my top guesses:

• BIOS is out of date
• Not really a rev. III
• NVRAM needs clearing
• Slot is damaged

Hi - thanks for the response - turns out half the problem was BIOS.

The bios has been updated, but now the 5450's show "processor combination is invalid" on POST which seems crazy because the 2.X bios release notes state clearly: (quote)

* Added support for Quad-Core Intel(R) Xeon(R) Processor 5400 series E0 Stepping

This is certainly a 2900 iii, no doubt. I also tried installing a 2.0 quad core xeon - same results. It appears to only like dual core (which run fine besides being slow) Any idea?

Thanks!

Did you try clearing the NVRAM using the jumpers on the motherboard?

Did you also update the ESM/BMC (and DRAC, if present)?

Do your processors have E0 stepping?  Looks like the E5450 comes in C0 and E0.

Do the processors match exactly (stepping included)?

These same processors work fine TOGETHER in your 2950?

Does each processor work ok in the first slot in a single-processor configuration, or is it only when the second processor is populated?

Yes on NVRAM reset

Yes on BMC, N/A on DRAC, Can't do ESM (maybe if I can get redhat bootable on a USB drive I can give this a try, but they only have a windows installer otherwise, and it plain stinks there's no MSDOS like for all other firmware)

Both processors are a new matched pair and they both work together in the 2950 I've tried both C0 and E0 stepping processors. I've tried 1 processor and two processors. I'm beginning to wonder if dell just put the "III" on the front of a "II" server or something...

Any other ideas?

Thanks!!!

ESM/BMC is the same device (although the Dell ESM downloads - for the backplane, for example - are misleading in that respect) ... it refers to the management device that works with BIOS to manage/monitor hardware.  If this is not at 2.37, then I'd strongly recommend updating it, even through a temporarily-installed Windows version or using an offline updater like SUU.

It is unlikely that it would be labeled (by Dell) as a III if it were a II, but you could confirm with OMSA (System, Main System Chassis, Information sub-tab) ... if not through a supported OS, then using an OMSA Live CD.

So, when you used a single processor, did it complain about it?

2.7.0 is nearly two years old and will be the last BIOS update for the 29x0 systems.

I don't see any reason why they should not work.

I would probably call Dell support to have their analysts have a crack at it - I don't have access to the hardware to test or the internal Dell documenation from such tests at Dell.

Oy... this is getting crazy. I have updated ALL the bios and firmware possible (there was even an update today to 2.7). I have reset NVRAM multiple times, tried 3 different 54xx series xeon cpus with different steppings (all of which are claimed as supported by the latest BIOS) and NOTHING gets me past "UNSUPPORTED CPU COMBINATION" Am I completely nuts, or do I just not have a 2900III (see attached picture) below. I am also attaching pictures of the SUU saying no updates required. This particular CPU is a e5405 SLAP2 C0 stepping (supposedly supported) I have also tried two different e5450. No dice

All of these CPUs work fine in the 2950 you see above the 2900. The 5405 was the original chip in the 2950. I have tried 1 cpu, 2 cpu (paired of course) no dice. 

Any more ideas?

Unbelievable.

I'm on with the dell support tech right now and he ran the service tag for this server. NOT a series III despite having the roman numeral III badge clearly emblazoned on the front. In fact , this is not even a series II.  Dell MUST have mis-labeled some of their servers. I've got access to another server and I'm going to check the service tag as well.

According to the support guy, if the server was bought after Nov, 2011, it is "most likely a series III." (I couldn't get the revision number through OMSA, but it could be the OS...)

Suffice it to say I'm now pretty PO'd that I blew a wad of cash on 2 new e5450's. It's these !@#% mystery parts they pull off the shelf between revision changes to fill orders that are killing my will to buy any new Dells

Anyway, thanks for the help!!!

Did you buy this directly from Dell?  Refurbished?  Was it ever "not" under your control (offsite, transfer, etc.)?  Ever have the motherboard replaced/upgraded?  I find it extremely hard to believe they would send an old motherboard in a new (III) chassis ... not impossible, mind you, just extremely unlikely.  If you bought this used, I can understand, but there are so many checks in place during a server build that would prevent stuff like this from happening.