Arima HDAMA and HDAMB Motherboard BIOS Fixes

Discussion in 'BIOS Mods' started by tqhoang, Jul 7, 2010.

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  1. danfloun

    danfloun MDL Novice

    Jul 10, 2008
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    Okay, I spoke too soon.
    I've got Windows 2008 server R2 SP1 installed, but I keep getting lock ups.
    I've removed all 8GB of ram (I have memtested it all) and tried two different 2GB combinations, still locks up.
    So I doubt it's RAM related.

    Lock ups are usually from 10 seconds to a few minutes after windows has booted.

    The CPUs are not overheating;
    46C
    39C

    There is a hotfix for known lockups with W2K8, but this was apparently included in SP1.

    I'm using the onboard raid 1, on the SI3114 chip.
    The bios I'm using is;

    HDAMAG_218B_SATARAID5500_DSDT_OPTERON280OSP

    Really need advice here guys, I've read a lot of the threads but am out of ideas what is causing this, there is nothing in the event logs which leads me to think it's a hardware/bios issue.

    Thanks
    Danny
     
  2. danfloun

    danfloun MDL Novice

    Jul 10, 2008
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    I've checked CPU-Z and I'm not sure this is right or not.

    CPU 1 = Bus Speed 200MHz, HT Link 800MHz
    CPU 2 = Bus Speed 200MHz, HT Link 200MHz

    Eh?
     
  3. tqhoang

    tqhoang MDL BIOS Modder

    Apr 29, 2008
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    Danny - Sorry to hear about the lockups...unfortunately some of the HDAMA boards lockup when switching voltages & frequency.

    Are you 100% sure that you have the 280 OSP? I.e. you took out the CPU's and looked at the etched model number.
     
  4. danfloun

    danfloun MDL Novice

    Jul 10, 2008
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    Nah scrap the memory guess, it's still locking up damit.
    Looks like I've been had on fleabay.
     
  5. danfloun

    danfloun MDL Novice

    Jul 10, 2008
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    Yes unfortunately I checked the cpu markings, definitely OSP.
    I was watching the frequency changes through cpu-z, they were fine going from 1Ghz up to 2.2GHz then it seemed to crash out.
     
  6. tqhoang

    tqhoang MDL BIOS Modder

    Apr 29, 2008
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    Not sure...but it could be a BIOS bug. I seem to recall someone else reporting that too.
    Can you try using my HDAMA-G 2.18B with just he updated Silicon Image ROM? Them try using SpeedFan for the PowerNow changes and see if things are stable and don't have that FSB quirk.
     
  7. danfloun

    danfloun MDL Novice

    Jul 10, 2008
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    I did try that bios, it worked without crashing though I didn't try it for long.
    I was concerned about frying something so went back to the proper one.
    I can certainly try with speedfan, but what temp/fan speeds would I be setting with it?

    Maybe it would be better to swap out the OSPs for some of the others, I notice there is OST and OSA opterons, do you think they would solve the problem?

    I notice that the OSP have a lower TDP, is this something that hasn't been accounted for in the bios mods?

    see-> cpu-world.com/CPUs/K8/AMD-Dual-Core%20Opteron%20280%20-%20OSP280FAA6CB.html
     
  8. tqhoang

    tqhoang MDL BIOS Modder

    Apr 29, 2008
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  9. tqhoang

    tqhoang MDL BIOS Modder

    Apr 29, 2008
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    The problem is that the specs for the OSP model aren't in any of the online docs. I think there is a way to query the CPU but I don't have any toolkit references to build such an app.
     
  10. danfloun

    danfloun MDL Novice

    Jul 10, 2008
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    Okay thanks i'll try that out tomorrow.
     
  11. danfloun

    danfloun MDL Novice

    Jul 10, 2008
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    Hi,

    I tried with the rmclock and it does the job, though I can't seem to get it working as a service which I really need as I won't be logging on to the server and don't want to have to remember to log in and out.

    I'm a little confused about something.
    Surely the original rackable bios supports opteron scaling, otherwise why would the server be of any use?
    I'm guessing that it's a x64 win 7/vista/2008 problem correct?

    So if I install server 2003 and use the original bios, will that get me scaling working natively through the original bios?

    I also have another issue which 2003 might fixed. This is related to the fact that the netxtreme ethernet driver causes high cpu usage and causes the fan to speed up and slow down every few seconds. I've proven it to be the ethernet driver and have tried a few variants with the same problem. I've also tried disabling all offloading and WOL and it still causes it. As soon as I disable the lan or unplug the cable the fans settle down again.

    The broadcom website says to use Win XP /2003 drivers for 2008 oddly, but mention nothing about x64. Either way, they don't work right.
    I'm more concerned about the powernow though.
     
  12. danfloun

    danfloun MDL Novice

    Jul 10, 2008
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    Hi,

    I tried getting 2003 on the box and had other problems even using the 2.17 bios. I gave up and went back to 2008.
    I 'think' i've fixed the ethernet issue by disabling magic packet/WOL in the bios, this seems to have stopped the excessive cpu usage.

    I've attached my DSDT file, but I didn't know whether I needed to disable the current profile in RMClock? Anyway I didn't, but let me know If I have to do something with it first.

    I really appreciate your help on this matter tqhoang, thank You. :biggrin:

    Danny
     
  13. danfloun

    danfloun MDL Novice

    Jul 10, 2008
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    I know the risks, lets do it:)
    Do you need a screenshot of the cpuinfo screen with the minimal/maximum internal cpu reading?
    I know thats x4 @ 0.800v and x12 @ 1.300v.

    The p states in rmclock are set by me so I'm not sure what you want exactly?

    Okay I've attached the p-states ive been using, each one increments at 0.250v, it seems to have been stable so far.
    Is this what you wanted?

    I should add that I've tried all the states independently and none of them crash the system, though I haven't give them all stress testing of any kind.
     
  14. tqhoang

    tqhoang MDL BIOS Modder

    Apr 29, 2008
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    Oh, it didn't automatically figure out the p-states for you? In that case, can you try the following p-states with RMClock and let me know if it's stable?

    These were the Opteron 280 OSP p-states that Linux computed and it will make it easier for me if I only need to adjust the RVO value.

    12x (2400 MHz) @ 1.25V
    11x (2200 MHz) @ 1.20V
    10x (2000 MHz) @ 1.15V
    9x (1800 MHz) @ 1.15V
    5x (1000 MHz) @ 1.10V

    If these aren't stable, then I'll use the same frequency states but use the auto-stepped voltages that you have above.
     
  15. danfloun

    danfloun MDL Novice

    Jul 10, 2008
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    When I installed RMClock it just gave all multipliers 1.30v so I had to adjust manually.
    I've tried all your values and they seem fine :D

    On another note; it appears WOL disabling in the bios didn't do anything to fix my ethernet/fan issue.
    I'm not sure whether it's related to changes in service pack 1 for server 2008 r2, or what is causing it. After re-installed lots of times now so loosing my mind. These boards are certainly temperamental things.

    However, it does seem a little better with the values you gave me above, so hopefully it's all related somehow.
     
  16. danfloun

    danfloun MDL Novice

    Jul 10, 2008
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    I've tried all your values independently and I ran a 30 second stress test on all values at 100% cpu load, although that wasn't very long, the system was solid. Go with your values.:D