Problem with updated bios with xPower II x79 + 2490X (ES)

I will try to explain the best I can; I first had a 3930K processor, than I got my hands on a 4960X ES (Engineering Sample) processor, so before installing that CPU I updated my BIOS (as explained in my previous thread: here). Flashing the BIOS went well and was running the 4960X ES processor with a modified version of the E7737IMS.270 (latest) BIOS. However the overclocking potential of my 4960X ES was not that good. Apparently the 4960X are no real good overclockers unfortunately.

So I started searching for a new processor again; this time I got my hands on a 2490X ES (which is a 3960X actually). So took my computer apart and installed the processor... And guess what? It didn't boot; I got several BIOS debug codes, amongst them was 'b2'.
At first I thought it was the processor, as it being used and probably was DOA, so I decided to use the Multi BIOS switch (the MSI Big Bang xPower II x79 has 3 different BIOS's). And it booted up. However this BIOS is really, really outdated. I never flashed it, so therefor it was still there probably. The old BIOS version was 1.7 or 1.4. This version works with the 2490X ES processor.

My guess is, is that Intel removed the support from the newer BIOS files (or updated Intel ME, or removed the B0 microcode). Therefor the 2490X (in real a 3960X) won't post / boot up with the newer BIOS files. The modded BIOS I had, also had the updated microcode (updated it from within UBU), but that BIOS version would not boot up the 2490X.

I did some searching on Google and found the following post:

Quote:I have a QA8V/QA93 2490X cpu these are B0 Stepping, I run mine on my sabertooth X79 @ 4.8Ghz , since 1404 is the last bios ver for your mobo that contains microcode for B0 samples do not upgrade the bios unless you have a newer ver that is edited. you can use flashback USB or buy a new bios on eBay for $15, BIOS Ver 1203 for the Sabertooth X79 is the last bios that supports B0 Samples.

Source: here

I think I am experiencing the same. The older BIOS supports the 2490X ES processor, where the new BIOS files don't support it anymore.

Is there a way to edit the microcode so I can boot the 2490X ES, but with a newer (and updated/modded) BIOS?

I have uploaded both bios files, since I couldn't add them as an attachment unfortunately.

- E7737IMS.140 (old BIOS, with 2490X support)
- E7737IMS.270 (new BIOS, without 2490X support or removed the microcode for it)

[update]
found a "newer" older version: E7737IMS.150
[/update]

Link: E7737IMS.140
Link: E7737IMS.270

[newer older version]
Link: E7737IMS.150

All files are in .rar format.

Any ideas?

//update

I compared the old CPU microcode from 1.40 with the one from 2.70 and I noticed the difference straight away (and what was stripped), check the screenshot below:


  cpu-microcode-1.40.jpg (Size: 49.99 KB / Downloads: 3)