Hardware malfunction error installing or running Windows 2003 - IBM System x3550

Resolving The Problem

Source

RETAIN tip: H19536

Symptom

While installing or running Microsoft Windows 2003 Server, the following blue screen message appears:

• A Hardware Malfunction Error Has Occurred
  

The system must have two processors installed. There are no errors in the POST, Baseboard Management Controller (BMC), Remote Supervisor Adapter (RSA), or Diagnostics log.

Affected configurations

The system may be any of the following IBM Servers:

• System x3550, type 7978, any model

The system is configured with 2 CPU's.

This tip is not option specific.

The system is configured with at least one of the following:

• Microsoft Windows 2003 Server, any service pack
• Microsoft Windows 2003 Server for 64-bit Servers, any service pack
• Microsoft Windows 2003 Server, Datacenter Edition, any service pack
• Microsoft Windows 2003 Server, EE x64, any service pack
• Microsoft Windows 2003 Server, x64 Edition, any service pack

Note: This does not imply that the network operating system will work under all combinations of hardware and software.

Please see the compatibility page for more information:

• http://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/serverproven/compat/us/

Solution

Contact your appropriate IBM Support Center for your geography. In the United States, contact 1-800-IBM-SERV (1-800-426-7378). Reference the RETAIN Tip H19535 (MIGR-5070505).

The IBM Directory of Worldwide Contacts is available from the following URL:

• http://www.ibm.com/planetwide/

Workaround

A temporary workaround is to remove Processor #2.

Additional information

A small number of system boards may intermittently generate a NMI resulting in the Microsoft blue screen message, "A Hardware Malfunction Error Has Occurred".

There are no POST or BMC Errors logged. The Support Center can verify if your planar is affected.

Prior to any hardware being replaced, ensure the SAS Controller version 1.02.02-0167 or above, SAS Hard Disk Drive Firmware version 1.01 or above, and the ATI Video Driver update version 8.19.4.0 or above, are applied.