Dual CPU Windows issue - Urgent please.

[Anthony Hayes]

I Have a Dell Precision T5400 with two CPU slots. I can use either of my two CPU's independently, but as soon as I try run with both, Windows refuses to start. I am running Windows Server 2012 R2. How can I get my machine to run with both CPU's? Please help - urgent.

 

[mjmacka]

Are the CPU's the same make/model/Stepping #?

They won't work correctly if they aren't.

 

[Anthony Hayes]

They are a perfectly matched pair, 2 x Xeon X5450 CPU's. The issue appears to be licencing related but I am uncertain. It looks like you need additional licensing per physical CPU - Does anyone know for sure?

The damn so called matched pair don't really match! One is a X5450, the other an E5450. Back to the supplier you go! Thanks @mjmacka

 

[mjmacka]

I would confirm this, but this is what I found regarding licensing:
A license covers 2 processor sockets within 1 server, 1 license cannot be purchased to cover 2 servers each containing 1 populated processor

http://blog.lewan.com/2013/07/29/windows-server-2012-licensing-a-quick-reminder/

 

[Anthony Hayes]

It was definitely a case of a mislabelled CPU, the printed label declared it to be a Xeon X5450, but it was in fact only a E5450, that's why they would not work together with Windows. It's not a licensing issue, I cleared that up already. I am still waiting for the correct replacement CPU to upgrade my machine to a dual CPU system.