Updating Graphics Card on h8-1223

[Odaxeda]

I recently bought the Zotac Geforce gtx 750 ti. I also upgraded the PSU to a 650W unit. My tower is an h8-1223 and my mother board is M3970BM.

When I installed this graphics card, I got the blue HP loading screen and then a few short beeps and then a black screen with the cursor in the top left corner. From what I read, I thought that this graphics card should be compatible with my system.

I attempted to look on the HP support site to upgrade my BIOS, in case that was the issue. However, for my tower, the available upgrade is for M3970CMNR and to be honest I don't know if it matters that my motherboard is actually M3970BM.

Any help or guidance that can be offered would be appreciated. If this card isn't compatible, is there a list of graphics cards that will work with my system? My budget is of order $200 CAD.

[Big_Dave]

Hi,

Please post the number of beeps heard when powerring up your PC.

Open up the Command Prompt (admin) and enter: MSINFO32

Post your BIOS level and BIOS mode.

If your PC is in UEFI mode and running BIOS version 8 or higher then try the below suggestion.  Even the W8 suggestions will apply to Windows

HP Secure Boot Windows 8 Topics   Computer Does not Start After Installing a Video Card (Windows 😎

HP Secure Boot Windows 10 Topics

[Mumbodog]

That Zotac 750 is a PCI express 3.0 card and may not be backward compatible to your pci slot.

[Big_Dave]

@Mumbodog

Most NVIDIA 750 graphics cards are backward compatible.  ZOTAC used to advertise backwards compatible to PCIe 1.1.:smileyhappy:

[Odaxeda]

@Big_Dave

Thanks for your response. I believe I heard a total of four beeps, one initial followed by three before I got the black screen with the cursor.

Here is what I see when I enter msinfo32 with regards to be BIOS:

BIOS Version/Date       AMI An2_705, 17/04/2012

SMBIOS Version             2.7

Thanks.

[Big_Dave]

Hi,

Did you try to install the posted BIOS update for the HP Pavilion HPE H8-1223?  This is your PC, right?

[Odaxeda]

@Big_Dave

yes, the h8-1223 is my PC. I was concerned that the update was for the M3970CMNR when my motherboard is M3970BM. Is this an issue or will the update work fine?

[Big_Dave]

Hi,

Check with HP Support to make sure then give it a go.

[Odaxeda]

Hi @Big_Dave thanks for taking the time to try and help me.

I attempted to call HP support but because my PC is no longer under warranty, I would have to pay to ask a question. Likewise, they would not allow me to pose my question via email from their support page because my product is no longer under warranty. 

For these reasons, I am asking the forums. Is there anyone that knows if I can use the BIOS upgrade for my model type (h8-1223) given that their update is for M3970CMNR whereas my actual motherboard is an M3970BM?

[Big_Dave]

Hi,

It's either going to work or it will not flash.  There is ALWAYS some risk when flashing the BIOS.