Proliant 1600 Dual CPU HAL - Windows Server 2003

[John T.]

Gents,

I recently cannibalized several machines to create a processor matched, 1600 with 2 P3 550's. Both processors show up fine in POST, and everything appears to be mapped in BIOS.

However, Windows Server 2003 refuses to recognize the second processor. I've tried a couple environment options, and have yet to come across a definitive answer on forcing a different HAL.

Anyone experience this themselves and have recommendations? I'm looking for specifically which HAL for my box, and how to get 2k3 to force/change it.

Any helpful information would be greatly appreciated.

[Chris Wilkins_2]

I just added a second processor to a ML370. My installation of W2k3 recognized the 2nd processor and required only a reboot before the OS would use it / show it in task manager.

I have seen other posts here suggesting the within 2k3 you can select "Computer" from within device manager, and "Update Driver" which leads to 2k3 seeing the extra processor. I had seen another post where the BIOS version had to be updated.

[John T.]

I've researched via Google and the MS KB, and found options to 'upgrade' the HAL via device manager. However no compatible device drivers show up.

Thats where I'm a bit lost, I can get the install done with little to no trouble, however I can't get the second CPU recognized.

My curiosity is whether the BIOS won't support 2k3 with more than 1 cpu, or something along that line. I can see that Compaq doesn't support 2003 for drivers and such (for the 1600). So I'm fearing thats the issue.

Unfortunately I was really hoping this box could be a development box for 2k3. Its not the latest and greatest technology, however Its definately got enough juice to develop and test small scale web apps.

[Devinder Gill]

I had the same problem but I've managed to crack it so an 1850 with dual P3 500Mhz processors is now seen by Windows 2003. I've pinned my problem down to the fact that when I smartstarted the Server I selected "Other" as the Operating System type. If you select Windows 2000 when configuring "Manual Setup" from within Smartstart, this will change the server BIOS so Windows 2003 can see both processors.

To fix the problem without having to blow the server away and start from scratch do the following.

1. Restart the server and press F10 to go to your System Partition

2. Go to the System Configuration tool and Configure hardware

3. When your RAID array is spotted, and you are given a prompt to save settings, select the second option to view/modify other settings

4. Select Step 3 to view/edit configuration from the screen

5. On the Operating System type, if it displays "Other", select "Windows NT" and then select Windows 2000 from the next menu

6. Save the settings and restart the server into Windows 2003

7. Put the Windows 2003 CD into the server and perform an upgrade. This will go through the installation process, and your server should see both processors and still keep your applications/data intact!

[Terry Hutchings]

I would also recommend verifying what is listed as the type of computer under device manager. There is an issue which can cause a problem being able to change to a different type of HAL:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811366&Product=winsvr2003