Bios Upgrade

[Tenchman8476]

hi

I have been trying to update the bios on my HP 8000 Elite SFF PC from V1.02 to V1.04

I went to HP site and downloaded the bios update package , when I tried to use it said file was corrupt and your bios cannot be updated.

would appreciate and  suggestions 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Is there a specific reason you don't want to update to the latest version which is 1.14?

I downloaded and ran v1.04 and it opened fine for me.

Since you are running W10 use the F10 Setup BIOS flash method to update the BIOS, not the Windows based flash.

The newest operating system the Windows based flash was designed to run on is W7.

[Tenchman8476]

Hi Paul

the bios I typed was a mistake I would like latest version 1.14 to run the gt730 graphics card just to be on safe side if it doesn't run on  current bios....could you provide and  instructions how to do the F10 flash please rather than windows method.

reagrds

Tenchman

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

I sure can.

Here is the link to BIOS v1.14...

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp73501-74000/sp73578.exe 

Run the file.  An info page should open.

Read the instructions under the F10 Setup BIOS flash method.

                                                      F10 Setup BIOS Flashing

The HP Business Desktop system supported by this softpaq provides a BIOS upgrade option through F10 setup using the "Flash System ROM" feature.  Reboot the PC and press F10 to enter setup.  In the File menu, select the "Flash System ROM" item.  This flash utility will present the user with the option to select the media containing the BIOS image file (XXX_MMmm.bin).  The binary image file is contained in the DOS Flash directory and is named XXX_MMmm.bin where "XXX" is the abbreviated BIOS family, "MM" is the major version number, and "mm" is the minor version number.  F10 ROM based flash can accept the binary file from the root directory of any removable media such as USB or legacy floppy diskette.  The user is prompted when the process is completed.  The new BIOS code will not take effect until the PC is rebooted.

View Contents of DOS Flash Folder

Get a USB flash drive.

Format it with the FAT32 file system.

On the info page that opens, click on the View Contents of DOS flash folder link.

The folder with the BIOS files on it will open.

Copy all of the files in that folder to the USB flash drive.   Just the files, not the folder.

Restart the PC.   Press the F10 key to get access to the BIOS.

Select the File tab>Flash System ROM command.

Select the USB flash drive.

The PC should 'see' the BIOS files on the flash drive.

Follow the on-screen instructions to update the BIOS.

I was playing around with my 8000 Elite running BIOS v1.14 and just for fun, I installed a Nvidia GT1030 in it, and to my complete surprise it worked.

I had no plans on using the card in the PC. 

I was moving it from one PC to another, and for whatever reason, I decided to take a detour and try it in the 8000 Elite just to see what would happen.

It's a shame that graphics cards have gotten so expensive nowadays.

An entry level Nvidia GT1030 card costs more than an 8000 Elite PC is worth.

[Tenchman8476]

Hi Paul

Your help and advice has been invaluable, upgraded bios to version 1.14 following your instructions. I know its and old machine but does what I want it to do, would be it possibly to upgrade the processor , I have 16 gig of memory, I was looking at the graphics card you mentioned GT1030 and rightly so cost more than machine worth . I just want to be able to upgrade anything I can, if it gives better performance,  as I don't have a lot of funds available for a new PC

regards

Tenchman

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

I hear you.

While I'm no longer using my 8000 Elite, I refuse to part with it since it runs so well.

Mine has an E8400 processor, 16 GB of memory and a 240 GB SSD.

I think it has the Radeon HD 6450 graphics card in it right now, because I took the 730 GT out and put it in a newer PC.

It is a backup to a backup PC.

I even have my old dc7800 PC because it still runs great.

If you have not upgraded the mechanical hard drive to a SSD, that would be the very next upgrade I would perform.

Here is the link to the 8000 Elite Quickspecs which has the list of supported processors by form factor.

See pages 7 & 8.

HP Compaq 8000 Elite Series (bargainhardware.co.uk)

The only caveat is that one of the quad core processors will draw 30W more of power than the E8400, and with that + a graphics card that draws 38W of power, that will begin to put a strain on the 240W power supply.

I also upgraded all of these PC's to W11 and the work better on W11 than they did on W10.

If you want to do that as well, see this discussion...

Solved: Upgrade CPU Intel 7 to intel 8 - HP Support Community - 8300175

You'll just need to reinstall the W7 HECI and AMT drivers, and I used the W10 Realtek audio driver from the 800 G1 business desktop which I found to be better than the standard audio driver that W10/W11 installs.

[Tenchman8476]

Hi Paul

I have same specs as you 16gig memory, just ordered 6450 graphics card, I shall leave processor as is...regarding updating to windows 11,I read your information and the Dong tech guy, there is an easier way to do it. download Win11 ISO X64 English which I did, using the media creation tool, then  download the Rufus tool 3.18 for creating USB bootable drive. select the ISO file in Rufus select MBR , under image option select extended windows11 installation ( no TPM no Secure Boot ) when it creates the bootable USB it removes the restrictions so you can do a clean install, i did this works great hope this helps 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

I've used that method too, but it only works on a clean install doesn't it.?

The method I posted for you allows you do do an in-place upgrade so you can keep all of your programs, files and settings.

[Tenchman8476]

hi Paul

you can run the setup from the USB after creating the extended version also and do upgrade keep everything

Regards

Tenchman

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Thanks.

That's good to know.

I was able to do that on my Dell Optiplex 7050 with an i7-7700 processor, and a few of my newer HP notebooks, but I swear that when I tried that on my 8200 Elite, 8000 Elite and dc7800, it indicated my PC was not supported to run W11.