My HP Compaq Pro 6300 Small Form Factor PC Won't Boot Up

[Davy49]

Hi,

I'm having a 'major' issue with my hp compaq pro 6300 sff - product# D8C56UT desktop computer, I was receiving an error message that stated (FW Recovery Error) I'm thinking there's something wrong with the bios, because now when I attempt to boot up the computer I'm hearing four beeps and won't even reach the p.o.s.t. screen. The last thing that I did was pull out the hard drive and format it, of course by doing so I basically have a new hard drive without any operating system installed on it. My current issue is that my hp compaq pro 6300 sff now won't attempt to try and boot up. On my motherboard there's a cmos reset button that I pressed for about one minute, I also removed the cmos battery for about the same length of time. Sometimes I hear four short beeps and supposedly for my brand of bios it has something to do with the system clock. Without getting into the bios I virtually can't do much of anything to get to the point of getting my computer to boot, at this point rather than getting more frustrated I've decided to just think about what to do next. Being honest, at this point I'm just grasping for any kind of help I can get. My current issues started when I had to replace the atx power switch. Another thing that probably contributed to my current issue is the fact that I deleted at least one of the installed partitions that came installed when I bought the computer, it was the recovery partition.

Thanks,

David

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, David:

4 beeps, red flashing light means a power issue of some kind.

See the troubleshooting guide at the link below, Appendix A, page 58 for how to troubleshoot the 4-beep code problem.

c01516072.pdf (hp.com)

[BeemerBiker]

Service guide for the Pro 6300 SFF indicates a power problem (4 beeps)

Parts list for your system is here

the power supply is 613763-001

The problem could be the motherboard and not the power supply

The FW Recovery Error is a problem.  

Did this error show up originally or after you reset the CMOS?

What might have caused the original problem?  Original symptom?

Bios recovery is explained here,  just ignore when it say notebook

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c02693833

Read the section on using a USB recovery drive

[edit] You beat me to it again @Paul_Tikkanen 

[Davy49]

Hi,

Trying to be polite as possible, thanks to both of you guys for your replies, the great thing for me is the fact that I didn't pay very much for this computer. I purchased it from a company that salvages various products and determines if any of them are sellable. My biggest issue I never know when to give up trying to figure out what's causing the issue, even with item's other than computers. I haven't given up yet on getting this computer to function properly, I'm just trying to determine what to do next. Like I said, I didn't pay much for the computer in the first place so it would be foolish to start sinking a lot of money into this older machine. I'm still hoping to figure something out, stay safe and healthy.

David 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome, David.

If I understood you correctly you used a similar power supply and your PC still didn't work.

That being due to the power button wiring.

However, if you follow the troubleshooting steps and nothing works, you can pretty much figure that the system board has a problem.

As I had mentioned in our other discussion, there are so many off lease or recycled HP business desktops out there for bargain prices, and newer hardware, I would look into one of those before putting any money into yours.

If you bought DDR3L-1600 memory for it already, then buy an HP 800 or 600 G1 MT or SFF which uses the same memory as the 6300 Pro but has an Intel 4th gen core processor.

[Davy49]

Hi Paul,

I hope this message finds you doing well & staying safe, in your most recent message you stated "As I had mentioned in our other discussion, there are so many off lease or recycled HP business desktops out there for bargain prices, and newer hardware, I would look into one of those before putting any money into yours." the more I think about that I think you are absolutely correct. On my most of my recent computer purchases I've purchased them from what I consider reputable sellers on ebay, also ebay also offers their own selection of what they named ebay refurbished ( https://www.ebay.com/b/Desktops-All-In-One-Computers/171957/bn_1643067?LH_ItemCondition=2000%7C2010%... ). At least with buying a product from ebay not only does ebay have their own ebay money back guarantee as well as if you end up buying a computer labeled as ebay refurbished it come with either a one or two year warranty. Even though as I'm sure you already realize, I was really hoping to get my current computer functioning properly again, there does come a time at which a person needs to go ahead and move on and try and find something more recent with better specifications. Thanks again for all of your help & time !!

David 

[Davy49]

Hi BeemerBiker,

Rather than simply giving up on my computer that I have an issue with, I decided to purchase a replacement power supply that I've done business with several times in the past and have always had good luck with. As I already had a copy of the hardware & parts manual for my computer it in fact showed the exact same part # that you included in your reply, here's where I made my purchase:   https://www.newegg.com/hp-611481-001/p/1HU-004W-009Y7?Item=9SIA4A0B0B5691  I thought the price was great and the product comes with a one year warranty. To me it's sure worth a try to see if it fixes the issue. By the way while further researching this issue here in the hp support community I read a similar post where a user had posted a reply to the original question in that post that said to disconnect the power to the computer and press and hold the power button for a minimum of 30 seconds, which I did. To my amazement my computer actually powered on after I heard the cooling fan rev up high. The first screen I saw was the one that displayed the 'FW Recovery Error' prompt, but then it went to the next screen that displayed a F1 Boot prompt, after I pressed that key it actually started loading the operating system but after about approximately two minutes it stopped and then the power on led lamp illuminated in red and beeped as I remember four times. So now I'm really hoping that swapping out the power supply will correct the issue. for the price of the power supply I thought it was worth a try anyway. 

David  

[DavyP49]

Hi BeemerBiker,

Thanks again for your help with my desktop boot-up issue, just a quick update concerning my issue I've ordered a replacement motherboard on ebay:

HP Compaq 8300 Elite SFF Desktop Motherboard 657094-001 656933-001  ($18.99)  I'm thinking that for this price it's worth a try anyway. My reasoning for purchasing this particular product is due to what a different member (DGroves) of this hp support community stated " the 6300 and 8300 pro boards are the same in dimensions and rear I/O ports, and use the same power supplies ". I'm really hoping that once I receive my order and take my time installing so I do it properly the first time that I'll finally be able to finally get my desktop back up & functioning properly again.

David

[BeemerBiker]

---

@DavyP49 wrote:

I've ordered a replacement motherboard on ebay:

HP Compaq 8300 Elite SFF Desktop Motherboard 657094-001 656933-001  ($18.99) 

---

I believe this motherboard came with windows 7 (HP OEM key) and was (is)) eligible for free upgrade to 10.

I assume you want to run windows 10 64bit  and not the latest Ubuntu.

There may be a problem activating windows 10  You should explain that an exact replacement board was not available from HP (the 6300 is not).  If a problem you may have to contact the Microsoft rep after waiting  8 or so hours to get a different time zone and a better representative.  If you still have a problem activating 10 then PM me for help.

[DavyP49]

Hi BeemerBiker,

Being honest I hadn't even thought about the windows activation process because up to this point I've been focused on getting my computer up & running again first. In the past thanks to microsoft switching over to the digital entitlement system I think once I simple enter my microsoft credentials hopefully the o.s. will activate properly. I'll face that bridge when I attempt to cross it, I just hope the replacement motherboard fixes my issue.  

David