BIOS does not support the current processor stepping - IBM BladeCenter

Resolving The Problem

Source

RETAIN tip: H19961

Symptom

The error message the BIOS does not support the current stepping of processor appears during the POST.

The failure can be observed if any of following E0 stepping processor is installed with system BIOS 1.02 or prior level. The E0 stepping CPU ID "1067A" can be identified from BIOS configuration and setup menu.

Affected CPU options:

1. Option 44Y5769 (replacement part number 44R5514): X3323 2.5G E0
   
2. Option 44Y5770 (replacement part number 44R5515): X3353 2.66G E0
   
3. Option 44Y5771 (replacement part number 44R5516): X3363 2.83G E0
   
4. Option 44Y5772 (replacement part number 46C7642): E3113 3.0G E0
   

How to check CPU ID:

1. Press F1 -> Enter BIOS Configuration/Setup Utility.
   
2. Select System Summary.
   
3. Select Processor Summary.
   
4. Select CPUIDs.
   

Affected configurations

The system may be any of the following IBM servers:

• BladeCenter HS12, type 1916
• BladeCenter HS12, type 8014
• BladeCenter HS12, type 8028

This tip is not software specific.

This tip is not option specific.

The following system BIOS level(s) are affected:

• BIOS version 1.02 or prior level

Solution

This behavior is corrected in BIOS version 1.03 build ID N1E138AUS or later.

The file is available from the IBM System x Support web site at the following URL:

Workaround

The user could ignore the POST error message and update BIOS to version 1.03 build ID N1E138AUS, or later, for E0 stepping processor supported.

Additional information

BIOS versions 1.02 or prior level do not support E0 stepping processors.

The symptom can be resolved by updating BIOS version 1.03 build ID N1E138AUS, or later.