[chixwithtrix]

Setup:
Supermicro X7DA8 server board
Windows 7 Professional 64 bit
Currently running Xeon 5130 2.0 ghz dual core processors and it works fine. Bought two Xeon X5460 3.16 ghz quad core processors and installed them and the computer would turn on, but only have a blank black screen. Pulled the 5460s and reinstalled the 5130s.

I wanted to try and re-flash my BIOS since my last version was my original one in 2006 to see if that helped my issues with the new processors. So I set up a boot USB (took forever to learn all the steps, not sure if I did it right), changed the priority in the BIOS for the USB to be first, but the computer won't boot from the USB. Not sure why, or where my problem is.

The Supermicro BIOS update is here: Super Micro Computer, Inc. - Products | Motherboards | Xeon Boards | X7DA8

I followed this guide: MS-DOS Bootable Flash Drive - Create - Windows 7 Help Forums and downloaded the MS-DOS WIN98 Boot stuff and made a boot USB with the HP USB Format program. Then I put the Supermicro downloaded files onto the USB.

Can't seem to get anything to work.

I'm stumped and very very frustrated.

 

[Tyree]

First thought would be the new CPU's aren't compatible with the Mobo and/or Bios.
Did you check the Mobo CPU compatibility first?
To flash the Bios, you need to follow the instructions for your brand of Mobo.

 

[chixwithtrix]

Thank you for the reply

The Supermicro website said it accepts the following quad cores:

Quad-Core Intel® Xeon®Processor 5400/5300 sequence (Harpertown/Clovertown processor)" up to 3.16 GHz

The processors I tried to put in are X5460 3.16 GHz Harpertowns...so theoretically the processors are compatible.

As far as Spermicro's BIOS instructions...I don't really understand them at all so that's when I started doing research on how to BIOS flash. Maybe someone could translate them for me?

Here is straight from the readme:

================================================
FOR <filename>.exe
================================================
1. Run the <filename>.exe file under Windows to create the BIOS flash floppy disk.
2. Insert the floppy into the system for which you wish to flash the BIOS.
3. Boot up the system for which you wish to flash the BIOS.
4. The BIOS utility will run automatically and begin flashing the BIOS WITHOUT any prompts.

** Warning: Flashing the wrong BIOS file on your
motherboard can cause harm to your system. **

================================================
FOR <filename>.zip
================================================
1. Boot to a DOS prompt and type flash.bat filename.rom


** If the BIOS flash failed, you can contact our RMA dept. to order a new bios chip.
The RMA dept's email address is [email protected]

 

[Tyree]

Do you know if a Bios update is required to run the CPU's? If no, leave the Bios as is.
If a Bios update is required- if you don't have a floppy drive, just exchange Floppy for USB and you should be good.

 

[chixwithtrix]

I don't know what is needed to get these processors to run, but after doing research online people said try flashing the BIOS when a new processor won't boot.

I don't have a floppy drive. As I said in my first post, I followed the instructions on how to make a bootable USB drive. I did that as well as change the boot order, but the computer won't detect it. That's why I made the first post, I'm stumped.

Also I don't understand the bold part of Supermicro's instructions:

================================================
FOR <filename>.exe
================================================
1. Run the <filename>.exe file under Windows to create the BIOS flash floppy disk.
2. Insert the floppy into the system for which you wish to flash the BIOS.
3. Boot up the system for which you wish to flash the BIOS.
4. The BIOS utility will run automatically and begin flashing the BIOS WITHOUT any prompts.

** Warning: Flashing the wrong BIOS file on your
motherboard can cause harm to your system. **

================================================
FOR <filename>.zip
================================================
1. Boot to a DOS prompt and type flash.bat filename.rom


** If the BIOS flash failed, you can contact our RMA dept. to order a new bios chip.
The RMA dept's email address is [email protected]

Here is a photo of what is included in the Supermicro's BIOS flash file looks like. Once I make the bootable USB with the WIN98 stuff, I just drop these files on it right?

 

[Wrench97]

You need a floppy drive the early bios will not recognize a USB thumb drive.

 

[gcavan]

A CD/DVD should also work, no?

 

[Wrench97]

Borderline I think, it may but supermicro only says floppy drive in the instructions and manual, on newer boards they do give instructions for USB drives.