Z420: does it have an on-board basic video port?

[BenZ1225]

Greetings,

I just got an Z420 v2 workstation from eBay. It turned out the seller stated that it didn''t include video card in the very end of the customized page - a sort of fine print.

Since this is a Workstation, I can't imagine it doesn't contain a basic video port. At the back panel top, right under the two ps2 ports, there is a port with a 3-pung symbol beside it. Could this be a proprietary port from HP? I have never seen such before.

Beyond setup, I don't really need a video card, it will serve as a Linux server, not as a workstation. But at least I need a VGA port to connect to a simple old monitor for the installation. Or is there a way to even do this remotely?

thanks for sharing your insight!

[REO51ST]

Welcome to the HP Support Community  @BenZ1225 

Do you have the PCIe card connector on the back???

REO

[BenZ1225]

Hi REO51ST , thanks much for responding!

No, there is now a gap in the back, the seller removed the video card, and saying that's why it was cheaper. Without the video port, I can't test it.

There is a harddrive connected. When I turn on the power, it keeps beeping 6 time, pause for 2 seconds, and beeping again 6 times, and on and on. This seems to indicate a "pre-video graphic card error" apparently due to the seller removing the graphic card. Is there a way to clear this code so the system can start?

I inserted a bootable USB, but the system won't pass the beep. Since I'll use it as a server, a graphic card is not really needed, except for convenience. I'm thinking about moving a harddrive with  existing Linux installation into this system, so I could ssh into it upon bootup and do the setup remotely. But I have to pass this error code first. Is there a better way?

thanks much!

[REO51ST]

@BenZ1225 

If I remember correctly the expansion slot is your only video.

What CPU do you have installed???

REO

[BenZ1225]

it's a HP Z420 Workstation 8-Core 2.60GHz E5-2650 v2.

The port I asked about is the 1394a on your picture. I also wonder if I can use USB port to connect to a monitor. I see for sale on eBay an external video card connected to the USB port. not sure if that can be used as a primary video output.

[REO51ST · Accepted solution]

@BenZ1225 

You need to have a Graphics card installed.

Pick one from your "Spare Parts" list."Many are under $20.

HP Z420 Workstation - Spare Parts:

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03287159#AbT7

eBay:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=677982-001&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_sop=15

REO