Xeon compatibility

[Mahler79]

Hi, I have an old HP 6200 Compaq Pro sff. I’m trying to update it putting some RAM, graphic card and a xeon processor. It’s precisely, the processor that I’m having problems. I’m trying to change the old i5-2400 for a Xeon E3 12400 V2, but when I start the PC, the bios beeps for 5 times and nothing happens but the fan going fast after 1 minute. Shouldn’t be compatible the Xeon?

thanks!

[BeemerBiker]

You may have to downgrade to bios 2.15 but that is a guess based on this thread

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Software-and-How-To-Questions/Hp-Compaq-6200-Pro-Bios-Update-c...

You will also need a graphics card as that Xeon has no video.

It is possible to put the missing microcode back in but you need help at bios mod websites.  

https://forums.mydigitallife.net/forums/bios-mods.25/

https://winraid.level1techs.com/

https://www.bios-mods.com/forum/Forum-Bios-Mods-Forum

This thread indicates the i7-2600 is best upgrade possible.

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/Hp-Compaq-6200-PRO-SFF-CPU-Upgr...

[Mahler79]

Thanks for your answer. In fact, I had already read the thread, and I have the bios on 2.15 so I’m guessing that maybe it’s not compatible…

By the way, another problem I have is that I have installed an SSD, the bios recognizes it but the windows 10 installer not… maybe I need drivers but cannot find anything on the HP official page for the 6200 Compaq Pro…

[BeemerBiker · Accepted solution]

Put the old CPU back in and update to the lates bios. It might work as the 8200 elite  accepted some XEON and it uses the same BIOS as the 6200 Pro

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp96001-96500/sp96026.exe

As far as recovering all drivers,  I would use the support assistant

Get the latest HP support assistant and see what it recommends

https://support.hp.com/us-en/help/hp-support-assistant

Intel also has a support assistant

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/intel-driver-support-assistant.html

otherwise go here and select windows 7 64 bit. Look at the device manager and where it shows a problem download the  corresponding driver

[Mahler79]

Thanks! I will try it and let you know if I can solve it!

[Mahler79]

Hi! I tried a lot of things but, since I have no OS on the PC, I can’t update BIOS and can’t install storage drivers. 
The driver must be *.inf and the one from HP is an *.exe.

I have also tried changing GPT to MBR partition and, even, tried to install Windows 8 and nothing. The SDD doesn’t appear. My only hope is to re-install the old HDD and install an OS and clone to the new SDD.

[BeemerBiker]

Use the rufus trick to put in windows 11

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/Issues-upgrading-to-windows-11...

Rather than use the Rufus attached to Paul's post get the latest rufus

Set it to use MBR boot and select the option that creates a local account so as to avoid the microsoft email login

Windows 11 does not expire and AFAICT they just leave an activation reminder on the screen.   Do not attempt to connect WiFi or ethernet, just install 11, makes sure it boots up.  Upgrade the bios and then try the new CPU.  Connect WiFi or ethernet later.

Rufus 4.4 can be downloaded here

use MBR since you have an old system that does not have UEFI bios

[Mahler79]

I have the latest Rufus, and I've tried booting from a MBR USB in Legacy Mode. it got me an error message (something about new hardware and cannot boot). I will try again and send a picture... 

Edited:

just found a youtube video that shows how to update BIOS without through BIOS itself. Will try before reinstalling Windows 11.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvDtBwVNVes

[BeemerBiker]

You can upgrade the bios using a "DOS" flash USB.  From the "How to use" txt file in that bios you downloaded

HOW TO USE:

This SoftPaq contains utilities that can be used to restore or update the
System BIOS on HP business desktop models.

Several methods for changing the BIOS version on your computer may be chosen.
Included are the various ways to perform the update. Each folder provided has
self-contained files to perform the BIOS update and any unwanted folders may be deleted.

Utilities and appropriate BIOS images are contained in each of the directories as follows:

DOS Flash - A DOS utility that can be used locally or with a Preboot eXecution
Environment (PXE) management application to update or restore the System BIOS.

create a USB dos boot.  I suspect you need a 2gb  flash drive as DOS does not recognize huge USB flash but I might be mistaken.  A larger USB can be partition to 2gb for DOS booting.

From the "readme.txt"

DOS Flash Utility
=================

DOSFlash.exe - Use locally or with a Preboot eXecution Environment (PXE)
management application (e.g. Altiris eXpress) to update or
restore the System BIOS.

NOTE: A BIOS update may be done using these utilities from a USB hard drive
or a USB flash media device. Copy all the files in this folder to a DOS
bootable medium. Make sure that the device you want to boot from is connected
to the computer to be upgraded and power cycle the computer. When the system
boots to the USB device, the BIOS update may then be performed.
See DOSFlash.txt for syntax.

Files included in this folder:

BIOS image binary file (ex: J01_0229.bin)
DOSFlash.exe
DOSFlash.txt
FlshUefi.cpu

after booting run the  "DosFlash.exe"

[edit] I recall that Rufus can  create a freedos bootable USB and it may not be restricted to 2gb max size.

[Mahler79]

I have upgraded the bios! Now I will try to install windows 11 via bootable mrb usb made by rufus. Plus, I have downloaded the storage driver for the pc from HP. Will let you know if I survived!

EDIT: the installation program still not recognizes the ssd, even installing the proper driver. I tried to put back on the old HDD and then, the pc doesn’t boot and gives 5 beeps and red led…