HP Z620

[groch007]

Hello all,

can someone upload for some file exchange servers with new version of bios 3.91 to z620 with included "pcie m.2 ssd" support files. I already bought new ADATA su800 m.2 ssd 1TB and I connected them via pcie m.2 Asus m.2 x4 adapter and I can not use this ssd becouse my z620 don't see them. I spent a lot of time about searching the solution and I need to modify my bios, but better it will be if someone from HP do this.
Thanks for answer.

[mdklassen]

I do not speak for HP.

See: http://h20564.www2.hp.com/hpsc/swd/public/detail?sp4ts.oid=5225038&swItemId=wk_177812_1&swEnvOid=419...

which seems to be what you are seeking.

[groch007]

Hi,

maybe I was not wrote so clearly.

I have already installed ver 3.91 on my z620 but this version don't contain pcie m.2 ssd driver. I found on a forum that I need to modify my bios package with add a new line which allow me to use pcie slote for m.2 ssd. Also I already tried to modified my bios package, but after that my z620 don't want to install this, becouse package is not compressed by "HP software". So I need new version of bios which contain this solution created by HP, or someone who has "HP software" to create that bios package.

[mdklassen]

From: http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3204227/pcie-hdd-8300-elite.html

I have HP Compaq 8300 SFF that I bought refurbished on amazon.com. I upgraded the firmware to the latest in hopes this would solve the issue - but had no luck after spending many hours on it. I think the bottom line is this line of firmware just doesn't support the latest NVMe standard, which means the firmware does not recognize a boot device in a PCIe slot, unless the expansion card is a known standard, like SATA or USB. I tried all different types of configurations and google'd all over. This PC is just too old (3-4 years) and NVMe is just too new. Timing issue. I'm sure other newer HP products have support for NVMe but not the Elite 8300 series.

So, "support" depends on how new the motherboard is, and how new the BIOS is.

Also, from: http://www.itcreations.com/view_product.asp?product_id=70956

HP PCA PCI-E TO M.2 ADAPTER BOARD 22MM WIDE
MANUFACTURER: HP
PART NUMBER: 742006-002-HIGH P
DEVICE TYPE: PCI EXPRESS ADAPTER
INTERFACE: PCI-E X4
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: PCI-E TO M.2 ADAPTER BOARD WITH FULL HEIGHT / HIGH PROFILE BRACKET

Maybe, rather than an ASUS adapter, you need a genuine HP adapter?

[MtothaJ]

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@groch007 wrote:

Hello all,

can someone upload for some file exchange servers with new version of bios 3.91 to z620 with included "pcie m.2 ssd" support files. I already bought new ADATA su800 m.2 ssd 1TB and I connected them via pcie m.2 Asus m.2 x4 adapter and I can not use this ssd becouse my z620 don't see them. I spent a lot of time about searching the solution and I need to modify my bios, but better it will be if someone from HP do this.
Thanks for answer.

---

Have a look at the guide linked to by BambiBoomZon inserting the NVMe module to the bios here: https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Business-PCs-Workstations-and-Point-of-Sale-Systems/How-can-I-bring-a-...

We have a report that the user has succesfully flashed their bios using the above method, however there are no guarantees it will work with you particular drive. I guess its worth a try.

HP should really look at adding native NVMe support to the Zx20, however it is unlikely that this will happen anytime soon. The best solution for the time being is a Samsung 950 Pro - I can confirm this works fine in a Z420 without any bios modding as a boot drive.

[SDH]

Groch007,

MtothaJ gives good advice.  I agree.... you cannot expect HP to do this for you, and even some of the most experienced users on this forum do not have an easy fix for you.  Here is my advice from easiest to more complex work for you to do:

1.  Return your current items and instead buy the largest HP PCIe M.2 form factor Z drives made for your Z620.  Not one made for a Z640 (which is different), but one specifically made by HP for a Z620, and exactly follow the HP latest instructions.  There are earier and latest instructions......

2.  Return your current items and instead buy one of Kingston Predator M.2 PCIe cards.  I have posted on using one of these on even older HP workstations here.  This uses an AHCI based controller chipset on the M.2 card, and lets you run BIOS in "Legacy" mode.  

Plugging in a M.2 PCIe interface card into a motherboard's PCIe slot has 3 flavors..... a SATA interface chipset (limited to SATA speeds), an AHCI interface chipset (faster but with more overhead than the next type), and a NVMe interface chipset (fastest and with less overhead).  If you do your research, however, you'll find reviews discussing that the AHCI speeds are very close to the NMVe speeds, and I chose to go the AHCI route for its speed and compatibility combination over failure risk and hassle.

You don't want to buy just the M.2 by itself.... the Z620 does not have a M.2 receiver slot for its PCIe bus.  It needs a passive interface card that Kingston provides if you buy the correct kit, and you want this plugged into a PCIe slot that is at least PCIe generation 2 and has at 4 least PCIe lanes open to it.  That is easy to figure out by looking in your Z620 technical and service manual.

This would be the one to get if you want 960GB size:     SHPM2280P2H/960G    I'd consider buying straight from Kingston so you have the latest firmware on the card.  The HHHL version is the one that includes the PCIe interface card.  Note in my posts on this here that at least in my Z600 installs there was one of the two storage controller driver sets  offered from HP that worked with this card, and one that did not.  This has been an excellent upgrade for me.

3.  The challenge of doing what MtothaJ offers is interesting to me, but maybe not to you.  At least with that there is a pathway that has worked with a Z420 and I believe it would work with a Z620 too.  Remember that this is a technology that did not exist when the Z620 workstations were originally engineered, and retrofitting it into the older technology is a bit of an adventure.