Help with 2 Issues with secondary Dell T420 and Secondary Processor + Memory speed

Hi @DellUserMichael,

It would be probably best that you could let us know more about the memory model and brand that you're using, the processor models, hardware firmware levels of both servers. What voltage error do you have? Are you able to confirm both main board DPN# for us to check. It would be good to know more about both server's hardware similarities and difference, to narrow down the possible root cause. 

I would suggest to check the hardware logs in iDRAC or Lifecycle, to find any information that lead to the memory speed differences. 

Agree Joey,

Details:

Machine 1:

• CN-03015M-74751-37D-0082-A05
• Intel Xeon E5-2440 (x2)
• 384Gig DDR3L PC3-12800L
  1.35V ECC LRDIMM Memory
  Frequency: 1600MHz (but runs at 1333 in this machine)
  Rank: 4Rx4

Machine 2:

• CN-03051M-74751-2AN-0535-A01
• I am attempting to move the CPUs and memory from Machine 1 into Machine 2
• I can move 1 CPU and 192 gigs of ram and it works
• if I move both CPUs and 384 gigs of ram I get the Voltage Error on CPU 2 and the machine won't boot

Would you confirm if you still see the error with CPU 1 and 2 installed and a dimm in A1 and B1?

Let us know. 

Oh and both machines have 1100 redundant psus 

Hi Chris

Yes with both E5-2440s and 1 32gig per proc, it still happens.  

Hi @DellUserMichael,

There are a couple of things I found out from the specification of T420, but you may/will say it worked on the first T420. So here are my thoughts:

1) I found that T420 spec sheet, LRDIMM is not supported: https://dell.to/3oNrJpZ. If you do have any U DIMM OR R DIMM to check the root cause, it would be good.

2) E5-2440 supports up to 1333. So the speed is down speed works as it should be. If you look at the Sample Memory Configurations page of the above URL, 32GB per DIMM only runs at 1066. 

3) I'm unsure if the server is fully compatible with LRDIMM, as it's not tested and verified by engineering. There are users install non-listed compatibility hardware and it runs, some may not. I notice the revisions of the mainboard might be something I would suspect. 1st server is revision A05, whilst 2nd server is A01. This might be a cause that the 1st server supported and runs well with LRDIMM, though there is no documentation I can find to justify my thoughts. 

Hi Joey,

Ok, let me check the dual processor issue on that machine with specifically the memory that it came with. Not sure why I didnt think of that, but I will test with the Dell configured / sold memory and let you know if that fixes it. If it does then I will make sure to buy only that.

Although I guess I would say weird only because it works great 1 with processor and 192 gigs of the LRDIMM memory but I definitely will give it a shot.

Thanks!!

Hi Joey,

I put the second processor in, and then I added just 1 DIMM on each processor, using the Dell specific memory that came with the unit (16gig (2) total)

I used my high powered, lighted, eye wear magnifiers, so that I could check for any bent pins etc. the slot looks perfect, nothing I can see

And the exact same voltage issue. I have no idea what to even check now.

Is there some way in which the board itself cannot use 2 CPUs? Or some switch or setting? I tried clearing the VRAM but that didn't help either. 

At the moment I am lost as to what to do, because everything looks great, boots perfectly with 1 processor and (16-64 gigs if I put all the initial dell memory in), or if I put in both processors (which work flawlessly in my Machine 1 motherboard, it fails.

Would you confirm the following details for us?

What is the part number shown on each of the motherboards?

What's the part number for the processors and dimms?

What is the specific errors you're seeing?

Machine 1:

• Motherboard: CN-03015M-74751-37D-0082-A05 
• Memory: (it has two sections in my System Configuration
  • 20D6F DIMM,16GB,1600,2RX4,4G,DDR3L,R 
  • 2WY0H INFO,MEM,LV 
• Processors: there are the 2 part numbers under the processor 
  • 2PPK8 LBL,INTEL,NB,XMN3
  • 6WDCN PRC,E52440,2.4,15M,SNB,95W,C2

Machine 2:

• Motherboard: CN-03051M-74751-2AN-0535-A01 
• Memory: 
  • R1P74 DIMM,4G,1333,2RX8,8,240,UBE,LV
  • 2WY0H DIMM,4G,1333,2RX8,8,240,UBE,LV
• Processors: 
  • YWVC1 PRC,E52430,2.2,15M,SNB,95W,C2
  • 2PPK8 LBL,INTEL,NB,XMN3

I tried to move the two processors from Machine 1 to Machine 2 and using the memory from machine 1 in Machine 2.

I also tried moving the CPUs and just using the memory from Machine 2 spread equally in the DIMM slots for CPU 1 and 2.

I also have a pair for 2470 (v2) processors, which I also tried in Machine 2, with either Machine 1 memory or Machine 2's memory

ERROR(s):

• VLT0304 cpu2 vcore pg voltage is outside of range
• VLT0204 system board fail-safe voltage is outside of range 

Would you confirm if the new #2 server is at the same or newer BIOS and iDrac versions than the original system #1? I ask as there was some CPU support added with some of the BIOS updates, so my thought is if it is behind the BIOS version that supports those specific processors, it may be causing the issue.  On a side note to this, if the server is very far behind in updates do NOT just run the latest versions on the support page, as that can damage the server. You will need to walk the BIOS and iDrac up together gradually. 

Also, since it is a voltage issue, can we test these configs with each power supply individually as well?

Now if the system is up to date and you have tested both CPU's successfully in CPU1, and regardless of what is installed in CPU2 is causing the issue, likely there is an issue in the CPU2 slot on the motherboard.

Let me know what you see.

Same Bios / iDrac etc versions on both and I've tried different power supplies as well. I have multiple pairs of 750s and 1100s. I did just buy another 1100 pair ill try that as well.

I did also chat with the original owner who swore they never even tried to use slot 2 on the board as they had it exactly how they bought it from Dell without any changes

Wait I just re-read your message again and my brain registered that "if I updated from an old bios to the latest it might damage it". I'm sorry say what???? When I got the server it was on 1.4.3 and I ran Lifecycle Controller, which has an option to look for new firmware and it recommended I go to 2.9.

There was no warning etc that it might essentially brick half my board.

Awesome, if that is the case that is really bad bad bad and now im essentially out because I bought more memory and cpus for this thing that will only ever half work.

Bleh..

Hi Joey,

Soon as I got the error originally I updated the BIOS, swapped the Power Distribution Board, Power Backplane, Disk backplane and all cables with brand new pieces.

I will try the different memory spots

I will also try the cmos battery

I will also try NVRAM wipe I guess it cant hurt

Hi @DellUserMichael,

If you're running the update in Lifecycle Controller (LCC), it shouldn't be an issue. LCC stages it's updates automatically. 

I've experienced before with other users with the error that you have on CPU2. There are likeliness the CPU socket or the memory slot is causing the issue. I've thought of suggesting to move the PDB and PIB https://dell.to/3rWzagg from server#1 to server#2, but I'm unsure if you're comfortable with it. Try that, I've also seen cases those are the components causing issue with voltage errors. 

If you skip channel 1 A1 B1 and install channel 2 A2 and B2 with 2 CPU config; what's the outcome?

Try swapping CMOS battery from server#1 to #2.