Need help with CPU upgrade

[Rich Deustachio]

I just purchased new 2.4 xeons to upgrade my existing dual 1.7 xeons. I am using a P4DC6 motherboard that Supermicro says will take up to the 2.4 xeons. I purchased two NEW Intel 2.4 400 bus 603pin processors. After installing the new CPUs the system go thru the mem check and then won't go into bios when I hit the Del key. Even if I don't hit the del key it just sits on the "press del for set up" line and goes no further. Any ideas?

[jbcaro]

It's possible that the BIOS on your motherboard needs to be updated to support the 2.4GHz processors. They probably post what the current BIOS version supports.

jbcaro

[Rich Deustachio]

I know it isn't the very latest version but I checked in the bios setting before the upgrade and it did have a listing for the 2.4 CPU in the advanced CPU settings. I can't even get it to go into the bios at all with the new chips installed. It just sits on the opening screen waiting...... even when I press Del it won't go to the bios. Would I have to reinstall the original 1.7s to be able to upgrade the bios?

[jbcaro]

You have to have a workable CPU to flash BIOS. Flash is done from a bootable floppy and run from command line (might auto run). Very important that correct BIOS code is flashed. Also, write down your current BIOS settings as they will be overwritten, and hope that the flash is not interupted by anything. The BIOS download may have a revision history text file to let you know what was changed since your version. Good luck. :D

jbcaro

[Scott Bates]

Rich, I did the same 1.7 to 2.4 upgrade on my P4DC6+ back in February. In answer to two questions relating to system lockups similar to yours, the SuperMicro FAQ I saved at the time say to remove CPU #2 and then upgrade the BIOS. Apparently removing the second CPU will allow you to get into the BIOS settings. Part of the answer in one of the FAQs was that the individual's BIOs was too old and was causing the lockup.

The other FAQ reads as follows:

Q: I am using dual Intel Xeon processors in P4DC6+ board, but system will hang-up after memory counting. No problem with single processor though.

A: Please use single processor and get the latest BIOS from our website for update.

[Rich Deustachio]

Thanks so much for the info I will try the Bios upgrade.

[Rich Deustachio]

I did as you suggested and started the system with just one CPU. It started up and I booted from a floppy, installed the new BIOS, shut down and installed the second CPU. Started up and set the BIOS for the 2.4 and all is well. The system is cooking now!

Thank you both for your help!

[Scott Bates]

Glad it worked Rich. With 2.4's and an "older" chipset we're not at the current bleeding edge, but since everything's relative you'll love the difference over the 1.7's. :D

[inquisitive]

would there be much advantage to upgrade from 2Ghz to 2.4Ghz in the P4DC6+?
or should the money spent for those two cpu's be saved (not that I have it) for the next mobo/cpu solution?

[Paul Lara]

You'd likely not notice the potential 25% performance boost; I'd save your money for a real upgrade.