DL380 G2 CPU Stepping Level

[Brian Mulgrew]

Hi - We have a DL380 G2 running W2K Server sp3 and patches and HP Openview app with processor spec:
Speed 1.26 Ghz
Family ID 6
Model ID 11
Hyperthreading Virtual Processors Per CPU Disabled
Stepping ID 4
IA32 64-bit Extension No
L1 Cache 32KB
L2 Cache 512KB
Installed Yes

We added a second cpu which was identical except for stepping level ( http://www.eventid.net/display.asp?eventid=41&eventno=313&source=Application%20Popup&phase=1 ). The server runs OK - but will reboot a few times a week (at approx the same time when certain HP OVPI reports are run) When removing CPU reboots do not occurr. Has anyone experienced this? Do we need to get a cpu with identical stepping/revision levels?

[JohnWRuffo]

Brian:

Yes, this is not surprising at all. The stepping levels really need to match.

Did you get the "offending" processor from HP/Compaq or from a third party vendor?

There is a "possible" alternative to purchasing the correct processor:

You can switch the processors around. The bootstrap processor needs to be the lower of the two. You must have bios up to date past 06/26/02, but just load the latest version:
http://h18000.www1.hp.com/support/files/server/us/download/20884.html

[Brian Mulgrew]

Thanks a lot for the quick reply - we added the second processor (with the higher stepping) to the second slot and bios has been updated, so looks like we may need to purchase another processor. Thanks again