Lenovo ThinkCentre M52 (8114 & 8215) & A52 (8153): Core 2 Duo Support

[Eld]

You can try to install Pentium D.

Hello, I hope this question fits in with this thread, as it is about a very similar system, same BIOS I believe. 

I have a ThinkCentre A52 type 8153. The original processor was a Pentium 4 630. It's detailed specifications are here: https://support.lenovo.com/au/en/solutions/migr-60400

I have updated the BIOS to the latest, 2EKT46A, same as discussed for the systems above. https://support.lenovo.com/au/en/downloads/migr-60626

I was hoping to use Pentium D 945 (SL9QQ) but it gives the warning at boot "0167: No Processor BIOS Update Found". It does boot after that, and SEEMS to perform well, but I would like to know the concenquences of this message and remove it if possible through a bios mod perhaps.

If not then I would like to know the best Pentium D that will likely work. Pentium D 820 is listed as supported but perhaps Pentium D 840 would work? Seeing this BIOS is for multiple versions of the A52 ThinkCentre I have a hard time knowing what to look for. Best case would be to add support to the BIOS for the Pentium D 945 which I have already here and booting.

With the Pentium D 945 (SL9QQ) installed the BIOS reports Processor ID: 0F65, Microcode Revision: Not Available

Below are some CPU-Z, boot, and BIOS screenshots.

Thank you for any advice to get this old system's CPU upgraded

[DeathBringer]

Make DOS USB-stick (e.g, by Rufus), download and unzip all files for the modded version of CHECKUP7 to this DOS USB-stick.
Download latest microcode for CPUID=0xF65, rename it to PEP.DAT and copy (with replacement) to this DOS USB-stick.
Boot from this DOS USB-stick and make a photo of the screen with results.

[Eld]

Make DOS USB-stick (e.g, by Rufus), download and unzip all files for the modded version of CHECKUP7 to this DOS USB-stick.
Download latest microcode for CPUID=0xF65, rename it to PEP.DAT and copy (with replacement) to this DOS USB-stick.
Boot from this DOS USB-stick and make a photo of the screen with results.

Thank you. Here is an image taken after running CHECKUP7 (after replacing PEP.DAT with the 0xF65 microcode):

[DeathBringer]

No. It didn't help - Update API adsent from BIOS.
But I've analysed official BIOS exe-file and found that suitable microcode was already included. Try to reflash official BIOS with Pentium D 945 installed.

[Eld]

No. It didn't help - Update API adsent from BIOS.
But I've analysed official BIOS exe-file and found that suitable microcode was already included. Try to reflash official BIOS with Pentium D 945 installed.

Simply re-flashing the same (latest) BIOS after the Pentium D 945 was installed appears to have worked! I've never needed to re-flash the same bios to get a new CPU to work - can you say why this was needed and is it only something to expect with IBM/Lenovo machines?

Attached is an image of the BIOS showing that it recognises the CPU now. 

Finally, will anything higher than a Pentium D be likely to work in this machine? I chose the Pentium D 945 using my best understanding but I could have miscalculated.

Thank you very much for your assistance.

[DeathBringer]

Many old Phoenix BIOS has small microcode volume and the flasher inject in BIOS only necessary for current CPU microcode.
Core 2 Duo isn't supported by this motherboard without a hardware mod for booting Conroe.

[moooooncrescent]

Hello, I have a thinkcentre M52 and I want to install a Core 2 Duo e6700, 2.66Ghz, 1066Mhz. Is it possible? If need to make changes to the microcode BIOS, then please help with this, since I do not have such skills. Thanks!~

[DeathBringer]

moooooncrescent
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