1. Background
In Feb 12 2018, AMD rolled out Desktop-based Ryzen APU chips, which come with integrated Vega graphics in cpu. Such Ryzen APU chips are ideal for home server.
But the problem is, Graphics Driver (sometimes says "GPU Driver") for Ryzen APU only works on Windows 10 1709 and above. So Windows Server 2016 (based on Windows 10 1607 LTSB) could not use these Ryzen APU chips (for example: https://community.amd.com/message/2863802 ).
In AMD support forum, someone replied a topic about "Graphics Driver issues on Windows 10 LTSB branch":
"You will need to contact Microsoft to keep you up to date on progress for a fix (I assume you're an enterprise customer). Many of the recent problems involving AMD graphics were caused by poorly implemented Microsoft updates in Win10." (Source: https://community.amd.com/thread/227154 )
Now comes with Windows Server 2019 Preview Build 17666, which based on Windows 10 1803. But Graphics Driver For AMD Ryzen APU also doesn't work properly. So I start this conversation, hope can help others.
2. Problem detail: Graphics Driver
2.1 Can not install Graphics Driver by normal AMD installation.
During installation, it showed Error 182 and quit. AMD installation program reported "errornum: 182, errorStr: UNKNOWN AMD Hardware"
2.2 Can not install Graphics Driver by specific driver folder in Device Manager.
AMD Graphics Driver limits the OS ProductType in Driver INF file. "NTamd64.10.0.1...14310" means it can only be installed on VER_NT_WORKSTATION(0x0000001).
2.3 BSOD on atikmpag.sys
After modify Driver INF file to "NTamd64.10.0...14310", it can be installed by specific driver folder in Device Manager (with disable signature check during boot). So Graphics Driver can work on Windows Server 2019 Preview Build 17666 with Ryzen APU.
But It's possible to be so happy you could die. There came with a BSOD while I was using remote desktop. The real proble is a myth. Only dump file said it is BugCheck 0x116 VIDEO_TDR_ERROR, which caused by atikmpag.sys. This means Graphics Driver For AMD Ryzen APU doesn't work properly at sometime.
2.4 OpenCL could not work on AMD Ryzen APU
Another Graphics Driver doesn't work properly problem is that, OpenCL could not work on AMD Ryzen APU. AMD Ryzen APU support OpenCL, and it works properly on Windows 10 Insider Preview 17666.
But in Windows Server 2019 Preview Build 17666, all test programs reported that OpenCL not found in AMD Ryzen APU.
3. Other Problem: Chipset Driver
In fact, neither Graphics Driver For AMD Ryzen APU nor Chipset Driver could work or install properly in Windows Server 2019 Preview Build 17666. I tested ON Motherboard which comes with Chipset A320, the results are:
3.1. Can not install drivers
3.1.1. [Critical Error] Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) Driver For Ryzen APU.
(Detail are above)
3.2. Auto-install wrong drivers
3.2.1 [Medium Error] AMD PSP Device
During installation, it auto-install drivers from "C:\AMD\AMD-Chipset-Drivers\Packages\Drivers\AMDPSP_svr\WT64A", which only support Naples chipset, not A320 Chipset. The right drivers should come from "C:\AMD\AMD-Chipset-Drivers\Packages\Drivers\AMDPSP\WT64A"
3.3. Has to manual install drivers
3.3.1 [Low Error] AMD USB3.1 eXtensible Host Controller
During installation, it can not detect such driver. User has to manual install it in Device Manager.
3.3.2 [Low Error] AMD SATA Controller
During installation, it can not detect such driver. User has to manual install it in Device Manager.
4. Affected CPU
All AMD Ryzen APU are affected in Windows Server 2019 Insider Preview, including:
- AMD Ryzen 3 2200G with Radeon™ Vega 8 Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 3 2200GE with Radeon™ Vega 8 Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G with Radeon™ Vega 8 Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE with Radeon™ Vega 8 Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 5 2400G with Radeon™ Vega 11 Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 5 2400GE with Radeon™ Vega 11 Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400G with Radeon™ Vega 11 Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE with Radeon™ Vega 11 Graphics
……
5. Suggestion
5.1 For customer
If you want to use AMD Ryzen APU for home server, you have to wait for Windows Server 2019.
5.2 For Microsoft
As AMD Support forum suggest customers to contact Microsoft, I think microsoft has to test more AMD Ryzen APU Driver on Windows 10, including Windows Server 2019 Insider Preview. If needed, Microsoft should make some suggestions to AMD, not only about Graphics Driver, but also Chipset Driver.
I will continue testing Windows Server 2019 Insider Preview on AMD Ryzen APU.
At last, My test platform are:
- Motherboard comes with Chipset A320
- AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400GE with Radeon™ Vega 11 Graphics
