Unsolved
This post is more than 5 years old
3 Posts
0
21146
June 20th, 2015 20:00
Poweredge 2970 won't boot after processor upgrade
I have a Poweredge 2970 that was originally built with two Opteron 2222SE processors. Everything I've read indicates that this should be able to use Opteron 2435 processors so I picked up a pair and installed them.
The server would not boot (not even BIOS screen) with them and displayed a variety of error codes with both, then one installed. I saw things like E1000 failsafe and E123f voltage errors.
I have the latest firmware on everything in the server with the exception of the BIOS. That is version 3.0.3, which is the highest version that supports the 2222SE processors. I could flash it to the latest version with them installed, but I'm afraid that would paint me into a corner if the 2435's aren't actually compatible.
Both of the 2435 processors I have are part number OS2435WJS6DGN. Most of the other markings are the same, but the date stamps are different one is 1108GPM, the other 1028GPMW. I'm not sure if the W is significant. I couldn't find any information about it.
Were there different revisions of this server? Like the II and III versions of the 2900 and 2950 servers?
If anyone has any ideas for things to try to get these processors to work I'm open to suggestions. Thanks in advance.
theflash1932
11 Legend
•
16.3K Posts
0
June 21st, 2015 14:00
Have you tried each processor in the first slot (alone)?
Why would updating to the latest BIOS version "paint [you] into a corner"? Although there is nothing in the release notes, it is good practice to update the BIOS as there are often undocumented enhancements/code necessary for newer hardware. I'm not sure it's worth speculating on reasons why it is not working for you until it is at the latest.
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/servers/f/956/t/19468180
https://www.suse.com/yes/134970.htm (note the BIOS version)
ColdDeck
3 Posts
0
June 21st, 2015 21:00
Thanks for your reply.
I have tried each of the processors alone in the first slot. Neither one would POST. I didn't make specific notes, but there were the error messages above on the LCD and a short burst of fans with each try. I put the two dual core chips back in and it fired right up.
I can't find the source to cite right now, but I haven't flashed the BIOS past 3.0.3 because I read that that was the newest BIOS that supports the dual core processors the server came with. If I flash to 4.2.1 and the hex core processors still don't work then I can't fall back to the dual cores.
That SUSE link you provided shows hex cores on an A00 board so this should work.
theflash1932
11 Legend
•
16.3K Posts
0
June 21st, 2015 22:00
If you could find that, I'd be very interested to see what the supposed issue is, and the credibility of the source. With that, I can understand your reluctance, but I find it VERY, VERY unlikely to be true.
ColdDeck
3 Posts
0
July 12th, 2015 17:00
First, I found where I read about the BIOS restriction for 2200 processors. It's under "Important Information" on the 4.0.4 BIOS download page. It says "BIOS version 4.0.4, 4.1.1, and 4.2.1 are not intended for use with 2200 series processors. If you have 2200 series Opteron processors use BIOS version 3.0.3. For 2300 or 2400 series Opteron CPUs use BIOS versions 4.0.4, 4.1.1, or 4.2.1." I tried pasting a link, but for some reason it's not playing nice. Dell.com followed by /support/home/uk/en/ukbsdt1/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=7DC11 should get you there.
So, I threw caution to the wind and installed 4.2.1 using a FreeDOS USB drive created with Rufus. The BIOS flash worked fine and it even successfully rebooted into FreeDOS. Then I shut it down and installed one hex core, and when that worked I shut it down and installed the second. Both processors have been running fine for a couple weeks now so all is well.