REQUEST (question maybe..) IBM xSeries 236 + xeon 7020(SL8UA)

[ChipInNC]

Well no luck today...
The situation is the same as ChipInNC described. Both cpus run in cpu1 socket, but when they are both connected, there is an error with cpu2.
It's funny, because I tried both VRMs, the 24R2691 and the 74P4485 and the error was still "CPU2" not "VRM2" (the error checking thing on the side panel)
Than I realised, I have BIOS 1.02... (it even saied, that that the bios do not support the processor, but it booted with one..) But yes two are not working.. So what do you think? Is the VRM not suitable for the chip? Next what do you think, which BIOS version should I update it to? (there is 1.06 in the thread, but I saw 1.08 I think )
Also, what is Your experience with the two of the chips in the Intel system? Any luck?
Thank you all for your time!

Oh, they run great as Dual CPU Processors on the Intel SR2400 Server and the SR1450 Server (Both running Intel SE7520JR2 Motherboards), and like I said a couple of years ago I had them running on an IBM eServer xSeries 236, but I don't have that system anymore.  So I don't know if it was a specific VRM, revision of the motherboard, or what was special about that configuration.  I do know it had the latest firmware, because I always have that running.  So that would be 1.08 BIOS, and 1.14 on the BMC.  But I am not sure if there was a special version of any item that made it work. 

I don't know enough about motherboard versions and revisions on this unit, and when I was putting the first one together the servers were still under IBM (US) control instead of Lenovo (Chinese) control.  So I don't know if something got lost in the transition...

[ChipInNC]

I used the dip switches to disable the BMC, and that had no effect. The system booted, but didn't recognise the 2nd processor. It did recognise that the first one was an SL8MA, but that's it.

Tonight I'm swapping the matched working pair of SL8MAs from one of the Intel Servers, with this new set to verify that they work well together.

If they do, I'll leave them there with the fresh heat sink compound, and try that set in the IBM.

If that still doesn't work, then I found that IBM sold the SL8MA in an upgrade kit with a VRM (FRU: 24R2750) and that VRM will work in our motherboard... So I can try that and see if that is the issue.

Other than BIOS Modifications, am I missing anything?

[B0D_Mr4ZU]

hello,
I also made some research and also find, that the 24R2750 VRM should be the one for our use. Have you got any source of the 24R2750 VRM? I vould like to hear whether that worked out. (One SL8MA is "good enough" but yeah.. twice that is very good)
BTW I have nothing new, I was just looking for some info about what VRM should be good for this use case.
Thank you for all the assistance.

[ChipInNC]

hello,
I also made some research and also find, that the 24R2750 VRM should be the one for our use. Have you got any source of the 24R2750 VRM? I vould like to hear whether that worked out. (One SL8MA is "good enough" but yeah.. twice that is very good)
BTW I have nothing new, I was just looking for some info about what VRM should be good for this use case.
Thank you for all the assistance.

I got a 24R2750 VRM from Server Supply for $10 delivered, but it didn't help.

It still showed only one CPU when it booted, and the light near the 2nd CPU was on as well. 

The HP ML370 G4 has a number of motherboards that all came in those systems, all socket 604, and would take the same types of CPUs as our IBM here...  But the only "version" of that system board that will work with the SL8MA chips is the one with a PN: 408300-001.  The others all look the same, but can't run those dual-core CPUs.

I am beginning to think that the IBMs are the same way, but I have no idea which motherboard works with the dual core CPUs.

It's "possible" that it's a problem with the BIOS and not the hardware, but since Lenovo bought up the IBM Server line, it's harder to find the exact information to know what the problem is.

If anyone has any experience here on BIOS changes that could help.  I can post the latest BIOS files for review.

Also if anyone knows about the different Server Board Part numbers, and their compatibility, that would be helpful too.

For now I'm running the single SL8MA CPU instead of the two SL7PE (3.0Ghz, 1M, 800) CPUs it came with. It runs ESXi and Linux much better with the additional cache.