PL5500 CPU Upgrade

[Terry Davidson]

Hello Folks,
We have a PL5500 XEON PII and would like to upg to XEON PIII 500 from 450 but on HP Web Site it says these cannot be mixed. Is it possible it those can be swapped??
Thanks

[Sunil Jerath · Accepted solution]

Hello Sean,
You cannot mix but you certainly can swap. The part number on the main board is the same for the P2 and P3 Xeons. You will have to change the switches settings to accommodate the new processors though.

Also you can use the same Processor Power Modules that you have in the server now.

I hope this helps.

[Sunil Jerath]

Hello Sean,
You might want to update the system BIOS before you upgrade your Server. Here is the link for BIOS upgrade and other SW related to your Server.
http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/files/server/us/locate/20_1108.html

Regards,

[Sunil Jerath]

Hello Sean,
You might want to update the system BIOS before you upgrade your Server. Here is the link for BIOS upgrade and other SW related to your Server.
http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/files/server/us/locate/20_1108.html

Regards,

[Terry Davidson]

Sunil,
Thanks for your prompt response. Can I ask you to provide me with the link where I can download the latest BIOS for our PL5000 server? The current version bios is dated 1996.
Thanks!

[Sunil Jerath]

Hello Sean,
No probs. Here is the link for the PL5000 BIOS upg. The latest one for that server is 4.03A dated May 12th, 1999.

http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/files/server/us/locate/20_1109.html#4

[Sunil Jerath]

Sean,
You might want to consider updating the firmware of Smart Array controller as well because if not updated it might cause you some issues. I am posting the link and it will ask you for 4 disks. Most likely those servers had Smart2DH controlles. If that's the case then you need to make just the first diskette. Cold boot the system with the Diskette and follow the prompts on the screen.

Cheers,

http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/files/server/us/download/14694.html