Bios update .exe file not working

[itsmyname]

@poppopopporatio -- Am I missing something?

What are the choices under that "Advanced" tab?

What are the choices within that "Utilities" menu?

[Prométhée]

hi

@poppopopporatio 

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktops-Archive-Read-Only/hp-pro-3400-bios/td-p/5644881

be careful though

but  @BeemerBiker  might help ?

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/Some-thoughts-on-the-Pro-3400-M...

[poppopopporatio]

As stated here it should apper under the "File" menu if the .ROM file is detected.

So it's a USB content problem(?)

[poppopopporatio]

I don't really care to brick this pc, as if I cannnot flash a UEFI-only-released Linux based OS I won't have a use for it anyway.

So, no UEFI = no use.

[itsmyname]

@poppopopporatio -- have you considered running Windows, and then software like VMWARE or ORACLE VM, to run your Linux-variant as a "guest" operating system under the control of either hypervisor?

[BeemerBiker]

---

@Prométhée wrote:

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktops-Archive-Read-Only/hp-pro-3400-bios/td-p/5644881

be careful though

but  @BeemerBiker  might help ?

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/Some-thoughts-on-the-Pro-3400-M...

---

I read that first article (link by @Prométhée ) last year and yes, there can be problems.  One of the things I discovered is the impossibility of saving an old copy of the bios.  I was only able to save about 2.5mbits of the bios using the command 

safuwin /o oldbios.bin

The bios is 4mbits long, not 2.5.  

My HP3400 is the cupertino 2

I was able to update to 7.16 using 

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp58001-58500/sp58264.exe

Try that, if it works there is a mod here  to it that allows gtx type graphics.  Note that there is always the possibility of bricking the motherboard.  I had invested $15 at ebay for my HP3400 mombo and did not have a lot to lose trying a mod.  I did not see a utility menu but there are  two "advanced" menus.

[edit]

From my experience, buying used HP motherboards, the workstations were all sold with valid windows 7 or 8 "pro" licenses which transfer with the motherboard according to Microsoft.  Once activated using the OEM serial there is still a free upgrade to windows 10.  However, ubuntu runs fine,  mint is easier to install IMHO.

[poppopopporatio]

This solution would leave a lot of resources on the table - in a system where resources certainly aren't plentiful. Therefore I don't think it is an acceptable solution for my use case.

[poppopopporatio]

I'm not really interested in activating UEFI cards, but in booting UEFI-only-OS. Would sp58264.exe allow me to do that?

[itsmyname]

@poppopopporatio --This solution would leave a lot of resources on the table 

Really?

is this your computer: HP Pro 3400 and 3410 Microtower PC Product Specifications | HP® Customer Support

That web-page lists a wide range of supported CPUs -- from Pentium to Intel i7.

Which CPU do you have?

The web-page also lists:

Memory type: PC3-10600 (DDR3-1333) UDIMM memory

Maximum memory: 8GB

Expansion slots: to DIMM slots

Given that Linux is promoted as requiring "less resources" than Microsoft Windows,

define your Virtual Machine to take 2 GB, out of the 8 GB, 

and to take 10% of your total disk-space,

and less than 1/3 of your CPU's power.

That's all that Linux really needs.

Also, when you are actively using Linux, you probably are not simultaneously actively using Windows.

That configuration leaves a lot of resources for Windows as the "host" operating system.

[itsmyname]

@poppopopporatio -- would [this BIOS update] allow me to do that?

The first screen displayed when running that EXE file states:

Enhancement/Fixes:
- Resolves issue with system hang during POST when a touch screen monitor is connected.
- Resolves issue with F12 hotkey malfunction after loading BIOS defaults via any method.

Neither of those updates seems to add the functionality that you want.