Installing Windows 10 on the Supermicro SuperServer 5028D-TN4T

Normally, you'd put a server OS on such a little beast. But you don't have to. In this video, I'll demonstrate what's needed right after you finish up a default install of Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 10159. It's highly likely that all the steps I show will be identical in the generally available of Windows 10 at the end of this month, and in Windows Server Next.

[JUL 29 2015 Update, I can confirm the build procedure for the now generally available Windows 10 Build 10240 is identical, with only Windows 8.1 drivers currently available from Supermicro's site. Detailed step-by-step assemble/configure/install video now available here.]

The Supermicro page (click "Drivers & Utilities") has all the files you need to get all the "Yellow Bangs" out of your Device Manager. Using the Windows 8.1 drivers they currently have there seemed to work well. Even the install of the 10GbE driver wasn't an issue. At the end, I have a look at the Web UI for Supermicro IPMI, and a brief peek at the mobile app.

This video is unpolished, and watching is pretty much like looking over my shoulder as I tinker in with my home lab gear, enjoying time with my new little SuperServer powerhouse. Join me!

Covered in the video, but revised at a later date

Download then install these drivers:

AUG 19 2015 update - These are newer than what Supermicro lists for their Windows 8.1 entries. Windows 10 just hasn't shown up there yet.

1- AMD Catalyst Driver for Windows 10 64-Bit 15.7.1 JUL 29 2015
Before Windows Automatic Updates tries to auto-upgrade GPU drivers, download and install this driver instead, if you prefer having the latest.

2- Intel 10G LAN Windows driver (D-1500_SoC) Version 3.10.162 JUN 12 2015

3- Intel PCH Driver(SATA) Version 4.3.0.1219 JUL 20 2015

4- Intel Chipset Device Software INF Version 10.1.2.8 JUL 08 2015

That last one will request a reboot, say yes, and you're done, clean Device Manager.

The rest of the downloads Supermicro offers on their site are optional. For example, the Intel i350 1GbE NICs drivers are loaded by Windows 10 Automatic Updates automatically.

Note: the image above this article is a combination of two actual screenshots

Jul 30 2015 Update

Working off a tip from Wiredzone (Supermicro Authorized Reseller), I worked on finding the right chipset drivers for you. While official Supermicro support or download links have not yet arrived, you can get what you need right now from this largely hidden Supermicro URL:
ftp://ftp.supermicro.com/driver/Intel_INF/C612_Series_Chipset/Chipset_v10.1.2.8.zip

Inside this zip, you'll find the release notes tell you that this bundle that was published on July 7th shows full Windows 10 support for Xeon D-1500. Nice! Testing that bundle now, will then update article above accordingly. It would seem that Supermicro just hasn't finished updating their site and/or Windows 10 tests just yet.

I can say that it does appear that installing the Windows 8.1 chipset drivers on Windows 10 wasn't so good, resulting in a BSOD, "KERNEL_APC_PENDING_DURING_EXIT"

And I can also say that running this new chipset driver bundle has stopped any BSODs these last 12 hours of runtime. So far, so good!

Aug 19 2015 Update

Follow this procedure to tell the Supermicro UEFI BIOS to prefer the added GPU, and avoid using the VGA connector on the motherboard, then your stability is great. Perhaps future AMD drivers will address this, and I'm following this closely.

Meanwhile, I have put together a detailed assemble/configure/install Windows 10 video that you'll likely find very helpful, detailing the entire process of creating this OEM bundle.

Shop (~$1200)

Supermicro SuperServer 5028D-TN4T

at Wiredzone

Not available on Amazon or Newegg, I got my system (CPU/mobo/power/mini-tower pre-assembled) at Wiredzone for the reasons outlined here. If you appreciate the information and videos you've found here at TinkerTry, and you decide to buy, please consider using the above link.

See also at TinkerTry

• Deep dive inside video of the Supermicro SuperServer 5028D-TN4T including component installation
  JUL 02 2015

• Supermicro SuperServer 5028D-TN4T Photo Gallery
  JUL 01 2015

• Installing Windows on the Supermicro SuperServer 5028D-TN4T
  JUL 01 2015

• Intel Xeon D-1500 SoC 10GbE X552/X557-AT 10GBASE-T VIB for ESXi 6.0 support?
  JUN 30 2015

• Supermicro SuperServer 5028D-TN4T accessories and aspirations
  JUN 29 2015

• Supermicro SuperServer 5028D-TN4T first impressions
  JUN 26 2015

• TinkerTry's Xeon D-1540 fueled ESXi 6.0 home lab build begins LIVE!
  JUN 25 2015

• Supermicro SuperServer mini-tower ordered with 64GB of memory for $1900, the ultimate home virtualization lab?
  JUN 23 2015

• Intel Xeon D-1500 crams incredible virtualization lab specs into tiny mITX size, codename Broadwell-DE
  MAR 09 2015

• Nice little USB flash drive choice for that ESXi in your home lab
  JAN 31 2015

• Superguide: Home virtualization server enthusiasts' colorful variety of ESXi whiteboxes
  JAN 05 2015

See also

• Supermicro SuperServer 5028D-TN4T User's Manual
  JUN 01 2015, by Supermicro

• Supermicro SYS-5028D-TN4T Review small box – big power
  MAY 13 2015, by Patrick Kennedy at Serve The Home

• Intel Xeon D – Intel SoC Changing the low end with Broadwell-DE
  MAR 09 2015, by Patrick Kennedy at Serve The Home

• Supermicro X10SDV-TLN4F Review – A must get platform
  APR 13 2015, by Patrick Kennedy at Serve The Home, here's an excerpt:

BOTTOM LINE:
With four port Ethernet (two 10Gbase-T and two 1Gbase-T), solid storage m.2 PCIe x4 and 6x SATA III, a fast and low power CPU (Intel Xeon D-1540) and 128GB of RAM, the Supermicro X10SDV-TLN4F is a must get platform. For those still using Intel Xeon L5520 or L5620 generation processors, one can get more performance in less than half of the power and space footprint which is astounding. For those that always wanted more than the Xeon E3 line could offer in terms of their limited RAM capacity (practical 32GB limit) and core count (4C/ 8T max), this is the answer.