Upgrading the DC5800 compaq from E2200 to E8600, having issues

[NightShark115]

As the title said, I'm upgrading my DC5800 compaq running Linux Ubuntu 18.0.4 from the E2200 CPU to the  E8600, but I'm having issues. When I turn it on this error is displayed:

"1801-Microcode update error
Missing or invalid processor microcode Update. Please contact hewlett-Packard company for a new microcode update to support the new processor stepping. "

I would go into the computer and update all the stuff and things but when I turn it on the fans start speeding up to the point where I'm scared something will break. Any help is appreciated, and please don't hesitate to ask for any more info! 

[TheOldMan]

The Microcode update would be part of a BIOS update.  I do not see the E8600 as a supported CPU on the support page that I looked at but is discussed on this forum

https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/what-are-some-upgrade-possibilities-for-my-crappy-old-pc.222...

So, it would seem that a newer BIOS is all that is needed.  What version is installed?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, @NightShark115 :

The TheOldMan is correct...The E8600 is not a supported processor...here is the link to the HP Quickspecs for your PC.

The supported processors can be found on pages 5 and 6.

https://nts.nl/site/html/modules/pdf/PC/dc_5800.pdf

However, I do see a microcode update on the support page, but you will need a windows PC to create the bootable microcode update file.  I don't know if it will add support for the E8600, but you have nothing to lose by trying it.

Here are my step by step instructions to update the microcode...

I zipped up and attached below, the utility to make a bootable flash drive, the DOS system files you need, as well as the dc5800 microcode update files.

You make the bootable flash drive first by running sp27608.

After the utility has formatted the drive and made it bootable, copy the DOS command files to it, then copy the Microcode update files to it.

Copy just the files in the folders, not the folders, to the flash drive.

Put the flash drive in the PC, turn it on and the PC should boot to the usb flash drive.

At the command prompt, type Flashbin.exe and hit the enter key.

Follow the on screen instructions to update the microcode.

[NightShark115]

The current BIOS version is 786F2 v01.04 

I don't know if this is relevant but I figure it's worth noting; The Startup menu seems to have no issue with the E8600, and displays the CPU as the "Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU E8600 @ 3.33GHz". 

Here's an image of the full menu page: 

[TheOldMan]

That BIOS is from 2008 and probably the one it came with.  Since the setup screen seems to accept the CPU, where are you seeing the posted error message?

Next question - does the system run OK after the error message displays?  If the system runs without any other errors, then perhaps disregard that message.

Except for the fact you are running Ubuntu, unless that PC can dual boot with Windows, the posting from @Paul_Tikkanen  is the way to go in order to update the microcode.  There are newer BIOS on the support page but they are designed to run in Windows.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Actually the BIOS update can be run by updating it using the F10 BIOS flash method.

You don't even need to have a hard drive in the PC to update the BIOS.

However, even the newest BIOS update may not contain all of the microcodes that the microcode update has.

I would run the microcode update.  I have simplified the process or you.

Or, if you want to update the BIOS to its latest version in hopes that it resolves the issue, let me know.

I will give you the simple steps to do that as well.

[NightShark115]

When I run HPUSBFW.EXE as administrator and it brings up the format options menu, what file system and format options should I do? I've tried using FAT32 but an error comes up saying "Device Media is write-protected". What should I do? 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Unfortunately, that I do not know.

I have never had an issue running that tool in windows.

Do you have another way to make a bootable USB flash drive?

It doesn't have to be the tool I attached.

Find some other utility or another way to make a bootable flash drive.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-USB-Bootable

Then copy the other two sets of files to it.