The server that has multiple CPUs with different CPU revision and stepping is no boot after Hyper-V role is enabled

Symptom:

You recently install a Windows Server 2008 R2 and patched SP1. The server (typically HP server) has multiple Intel CPUs, e.g. two Intel (R) Xeon(R) CPU 5160 3.00GHz.

You then enable the Hyper-V role, it required a reboot. But after reboot, the system didn't boot up, it just stayed in black screen.

Root cause:

Although the CPUs are identical, the revision or stepping are different. If one is revision 'CD' (stepping is 6) and the other is revision 'B9' (stepping is B), the system is not booting up with Hyper-V enabled.

Resolution:

Replace the CPU and make sure all CPU are identical with same revision and stepping.

More information:

To check CPU information, run WBEMTEST and enter the query "Select * from Win32_Processor" (without the quotes) and click on the Apply button.

Reference:

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/winserverhyperv/thread/b5e5e655-1828-4e92-872f-136e4b479de5

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/winserverhyperv/thread/2c51bdd7-d0a9-42d6-ac5f-d0a3be1318b2

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/winserverhyperv/thread/a8fdebf4-a41a-424d-8aa9-43b387d334ec/

Comments

  • Anonymous
    January 01, 2003
    Would you mind commenting on this post? social.technet.microsoft.com/.../ac75a2b0-d8b9-4347-9c8e-12592a0b2b9d I didn't have a problem with Win2k8 R2 SP1, but am having an issue where the 2nd CPU won't start in Win 2012, and I'm not sure if its related.

  • Anonymous
    July 28, 2011
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    November 23, 2011
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    February 15, 2012
    This is so frustrating!!   2 days of my life I will not get back . . ..

  • Anonymous
    January 03, 2013
    I hate Intel not willing to replace one of my CPUs as the other! I hate the steppings. I hate newegg that sold me two CPUs with different steppings. I cannot use HyperV on Windows Server 2012! As always, the products are just outside of the warranty!!