HP dc7700 CMT BIOS Flash Procedure on Windows 10

[StephFarelle95]

Hi there! I'm trying to see if I can get some advice for properly flashing the BIOS on the computer that I recently got my hands on.  Essentially, I have been building a PC out of components that I got off a decomissioned dc7700 cmt PC from my University, and what I did was take the motherboard and its CPU (Intel Pentium D, I belive it's the 945 at 3.4 GHz), and get a new PSU, a PC case from a friend, and a new Hard Drive.  I installed Windows 10 64 bit on the fresh HDD, and as it sits, the computer has 1GB of DDR2 RAM (RAM Sticks I bought haven't arrived yet).  Currently, the BIOS version on it is the Hewlett-Packard 786E1 v01.05 8/30/2006.  I want to upgrade to the latest BIOS available for this computer, so that I can swap out the Processor for a more advanced Core 2 Duo in the future, and so that it can recognized the RAM amount that I install without any problems (8GB in total).  I checked the softpaq method, but there isn't a softpaq for Windows 10 for this old of a machine.  I also wanna make sure that the Motherboard doesn't get bricked, because that would be the end of my PC dreams T_T.  In any case, I'll appreciate all the help I can get.  Thanks in advance.

[CF4]

Hi

We are talking about one of these HP Compaq dc7700 Convertible Minitower PC?

https://support.hp.com/gb-en/product/hp-compaq-dc7700-convertible-minitower-pc/3232028/drivers

Giving details about a Flashing a BIOS?

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01132920

The Servicing guide may also help...

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00771559

The important thing is the board SSID...

Microcode Update for HP 786E BIOS Family Computers with Intel Processors

and whether there is another Model with that MOBO to accept W10.

BUT I suspect not.

https://support.hp.com/gb-en/document/c00377076#AbT0  states maximum RAM 4Gb.

[StephFarelle95]

Hmm... From what I can read here... Looks like my best option will be to Flash it using the USB method and using the f10 setup mode in the BIOS... Though... Do I really need a Floppy Drive to prepare a USB to flash it? Or is there a way to download the necessary files?

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi, @StephFarelle95

Yes, you are correct.

The F10 BIOS flashing method would be the best and easiest way to go about updating the BIOS.

You would use BIOS version:

1.16 Rev. A

http://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp54001-54500/sp54368.exe

Here is how you do it...

Get a USB flash drive.  Format it with the FAT32 file system.

Download and run the BIOS file above.  An information page will open.

Follow the instructions listed under the F10 Setup BIOS Flashing section.

Click on the View Contents of DOS Flash Folder link at the bottom of that section.

You will now see the BIOS files you need to copy and paste to the USB flash drive.

After you copy the BIOS files to the flash drive, restart the PC, tap the F10 key to get access to the BIOS.

Select the File tab>flash system ROM command.

Select the USB flash drive and the PC should 'see" the BIOS update files.

Follow the on screen instructions to update the BIOS.

I don't think you need to update the BIOS to run 8 GB of memory.

The dc7700 CMT and SFF PC's should support 4 x 2 GB of PC2-6400 memory, with a 64 bit operating system.

There used to be a HP document that stated that, but I can only find ones that show 4 x 1 GB are supported.

[StephFarelle95]

Thanks a bunch for the help! I'll be doing that right now... My only remaining question is if this particular BIOS will allow me to swap the CPU for some of the newer Core 2 Duo Processors, like the one that runs at 3.06 GHz... (Don't remember the exact model number of that one... I'll look it up).

Edit: I found the particular Core 2 Duo... It's the E7600

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

The best processor you can upgrade to without any issue would be the Conroe C2D 2.66 Ghz E6700 processor.

This one...

https://ark.intel.com/products/27251/Intel-Core2-Duo-Processor-E6700-4M-Cache-2_66-GHz-1066-MHz-FSB

The Wolfdale E6700 will not work at all.

The C2D E7x00 processors will work, but with issues as discussed at the link below. 

Personally, I wouldn't waste my time dealing with those problems when the Conroe E6700 is good enough.

But that is up to you.  In the below discussion, I have given you all the info you need to update the processor microcode table in the BIOS, and the utility to run an E7x00 processor at its fastest multiplier.

There may be a way to automatically start the utility.  I think there are instructions to do that on the crystal mark site.

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktops-Archive-Read-Only/invalid-processor-microcode-update/m-p/5398...

[StephFarelle95]

I see... I think I'll use the one that works without issues... What I seek for now is a PC that can do work and play some modern games (the most demanding ones being Racing and Flight sims) at low to medium settings.  I think I'll be able to do that with that Core 2 Duo and running a decent Graphics card... Anyways, thanks for the help, I'll post an update when I flash the BIOS to show if it worked.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Youre very welcome.

Note that with the legacy BIOS the dc7700 has, you can't install any of the newer model graphics cards on the market today.

You will have to stick to legacy graphics cards like the Nvidia GT 600 series, or the AMD Radeon HD 6570.

Fortunately, these cards will work with W10.

[StephFarelle95]

Would something like the later versions of the gtx 600 family from Nvidia (For example, GTX 670, 680 or 690) work on it? Or will only the GT cards work?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

One of those should work provided the power supply you have supports them, and they do not exceed the 75W rated capacity of the PCIe x 16 video card slot the dc7700 CMT has.