Hewlett-Packard HP Compaq Pro 6300 SFF: Graphics Card Not Being Detected

[1L1mited]

Hi all! Recently, I have gotten a NVIDIA RTX A2000 for my HP Compaq 6300 Pro Small Form Factor PC, and the graphics card fan is spinning, but the computer is not recognizing it in device manager.

[NonSequitur777]

@1L1mited,

Welcome to our HP User Forum!

And yet an RTX A2000 should work in your HP Compaq Pro 6300 SFF, as this User showed: HP Compaq Pro 6300 SFF Performance Results - UserBenchmark. Your 240-watt stock power supply (p/n: HP 611481-001) should have sufficient juice to power it: NVIDIA RTX A2000 Specs | TechPowerUp GPU Database.

Your desktop was one of my legacy upgrade projects (see: Solved: Upgrading HP Compaq Pro 6300 SFF - HP Support Community - 8184303), and I would like to ask you a few questions: what processor and BIOS version do you have?

In addition, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve the issue. Follow these steps to try and identify the problem:

1.) Check Physical Connection: Ensure that the RTX A2000 is properly seated in the PCIe x16 slot on your motherboard. Sometimes, a loose connection can prevent the card from being recognized. Reseat your card.

2.) BIOS Settings: Access your BIOS settings and check if there are any options related to graphics or PCI Express configuration. Make sure the primary display adapter is set to "PCI Express" or "Auto" instead of "Integrated Graphics" if you have one. Disable Integrated Graphics: If your desktop has integrated graphics (e.g., Intel HD Graphics), try disabling it through the BIOS or Device Manager. This can help the system prioritize the discrete graphics card.

3.) It never hurts to see if there is an HP BIOS update: Official HP® Drivers and Software Download | HP® Customer Support. Updating BIOS can sometimes resolve compatibility issues.

4.) Driver Installation: Download and install the latest drivers for your graphics card from the manufacturer's website: NVIDIA RTX / Quadro Desktop and Notebook Driver Release 535 | R535 U3 (536.67) | Windows 10 64-bit, .... Even if the card is not detected, installing the drivers might trigger the system to recognize it.

5.) Test your RTX A2000: If possible, test your card in another compatible system to check if it's functioning correctly. Conversely, try a known working graphics card in your HP desktop to determine if the issue lies with the card or the system.

6.) Power Supply Capacity (less likely): If it is the case that your power supply cannot provide sufficient wattage to power your RTX A2000, there are power supply work-arounds possible, such as I discussed towards the end of my aforementioned HP Compaq 6300 Pro SFF upgrade link.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[1L1mited]

Hi, I have a Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3770 with a windows 10 operating system. Although, I have tried accessing the bios, but I can't seem to find the option from the windows recovery troubleshooting page.

[NonSequitur777]

@1L1mited,

Have you tried restart and go tap-tap-tap on your F10 key to access BIOS?

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[1L1mited]

Yes. It doesn't do anything. 

[NonSequitur777]

@1L1mited,

Dang. Could be a motherboard issue -have you tried a CMOS reset yet?

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[NonSequitur777]

@1L1mited,

It occurred to me that some further light and knowledge would be useful to you.

Regarding resetting CMOS, this is what I would like you to do:

1.) Power down your HP Compaq Pro 6300 SFF.

2.) Unplug from power.

3.) Press the power-on button on your desktop for 4 seconds.

4.) Ground yourself -meaning, touch something metallic like the desktop itself.

5a.) Remove the top panel.

5b.) Remove your graphics card.

6.) Reach out, and (gently) remove the shiny coin cell (see red circle).

7.) Now push the yellow CMOS button for 10 seconds (see blue square).

8a.) Wait half an hour (aka 30 minutes).

8b.) Since you got full access now to your desktop, take advantage of the opportunity and use compressed gas ('canned air') to blow out all the dust bunnies.

9a.) Reseat the coin cell.

9b.) Remount your graphics card.

10a.) Put the top panel back on, reconnect to power, and power on your PC.

10b.) Upon hitting your 'on' button, immediately go tap-tap-tap on your F10 key and see if it will give you access to BIOS now.

10.c.) If it doesn't, just roll with it and follow/respond to the post-CMOS reset conversation your PC will engage in. Once up and going, please (re)install the Nvidia GPU driver software as I instructed you to download in my previous message, and let's see how your desktop will respond this time around.

Here is a short HP YouTube instructional video -rather light on comments: Restore the CMOS to Factory Settings | HP ProDesk 400 SFF G5 Desktop PC | HP Support - YouTube.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[1L1mited]

Hi, thank you for the clarification you have provided. I will try this tomorrow, thank you for the follow up.

[1L1mited]

Also, for your knowledge, the date and version of the BIOS will be located below.

Date: 7/16/13

Version: K01 v02.90

As I hope everything goes well, thank you for helping me with this, I wouldn't know what to do, especially spending money for this GPU.

[1L1mited]

Hi again, I have just done what you have instructed me to do and here's what happens;

The computer beeps and displays a message;

161- Real-Time Clock Power Loss.

The system time is invalid. This may be a result of loss in battery power. Set the correct time and date using your operating system. if this message persists, you may need to replace the onboard battery.

Although there is a button saying F1: Boot, when I press F1, nothing happens. My next thought to do is to get a new battery. Do you have anything else I could do?