How can I bring a Z-Drive G2 runing in a Z-420 ?

[Alphavil]

Hi there,

I try to bring the Z-Drive 512 GB  G2 to run in a Z-420 workstation. I know the problem with the NVME RAM. I tried to take the drivers from Samsung (2.1) in the Installation of windows 10. It ist possible to install ist, but than after reboot I see only a black screen with a death cursor. In the boot menu I see no Bootloader in the UEFI? I hope somebody can help me.

thx

/Andy

[MtothaJ]

---

@Alphavil wrote:

Hi there,

I try to bring the Z-Drive 512 GB  G2 to run in a Z-420 workstation. I know the problem with the NVME RAM. I tried to take the drivers from Samsung (2.1) in the Installation of windows 10. It ist possible to install ist, but than after reboot I see only a black screen with a death cursor. In the boot menu I see no Bootloader in the UEFI? I hope somebody can help me.

thx

/Andy

---

Please try the following - after you install everything, be sure to remove the USB Windows installation pendrive from the system and go into bios and make sure that the three options roms settings in bios (pxe, mas storage and video) are set to EFI. See if this works and report back.

[Alphavil]

Hi,

I still tried that. The config here as a picture:

But when I start the Z420 still get black screen with death cursor 😞

/Andy

[MtothaJ]

---

@Alphavil wrote:

Hi,

I still tried that. The config here as a picture:

But when I start the Z420 still get black screen with death cursor 😞

/Andy

---

The pciture does not show unfortunately. What bios version are you on?

[SDH]

MtothaJ,

The pictures don't show up in here immediately.... a moderator has to see and release them.  The pic is up and working now.

Scott

[Alphavil]

Good morning,

the bios version is:  J61 v03.91

/Andy

[MtothaJ]

---

@Alphavil wrote:

Good morning,

the bios version is:  J61 v03.91

/Andy

---

Its the same bios version I am using. Below I have pasted my bios replicated settings which I sue runing a 950 Pro, removing only personal info /chassis / asset number. Try to see if your settings match. Also worth adding that boot block date does not make any difference here - I have successfully booted ofthe 950 Pro on 2011 and 2013 boot block date Z420.

Product Name
 HP Z420 Workstation
SKU Number
 E4G05UC#UUZ
Processor Type
@ Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-1650 @ 3.20GHz
Processor Speed
 3200 MHz
Processor Stepping
 000206D7 00000710
Cache Size (L1/L2/L3)
 64KBx6 / 256KBx6 / 12288KBx1
Memory Size
 64 GB ECC RDDR3 / 1600 MHz
System BIOS
 J61 v03.91
Boot Block Date
 03/06/2013
Chassis Serial Number
 
Asset Tracking Number
 
Family Name
 103C_53335X G=D
ME Firmware Version
 8.1.40.1416
ME Management Mode
 AMT
Removable Media Boot
 *Enable
 Disable
SATA Emulation
 IDE
 --
 *RAID+AHCI
 AHCI
EFI Boot Order
 USB Floppy/CD
 ATAPI CD-ROM Drive
 Hard Drive
EFI HDD Order
 Windows Boot Manager
 USB Hard Drive
Legacy Boot Order
 ATAPI CD-ROM Drive
 USB Floppy/CD
 Hard Drive
 NIC Controller (AMT)
 PnP Device #1
 PnP Device #2
 PnP Device #3
 PnP Device #4
 PnP Device #5
 PnP Device #6
 PnP Device #7
 PnP Device #8
 PnP Device #9
 PnP Device #10
 PnP Device #11
Legacy HDD Order
 USB Hard Drive
Lock Legacy Resources
 Disable
 *Enable
Network Server Mode
 *Disable
 Enable
Setup Browse Mode
 Disable
 *Enable
Stringent Password
 *Disable
 Enable
Password prompt on F9 F11 & F12
 *Enable
 Disable
Cover Lock
 *Unlock
 Lock
Cover Removal Sensor
 *Disable
 Notify User
 --
 Setup Password
Restrict USB Devices
 *Allow all USB Devices
 Allow only keyboard and mouse
 Allow all but storage devices and hubs
Front USB Ports
 Disable
 *Enable
Front USB Port 1
 Disable
 *Enable
Front USB3 Port 2
 Disable
 *Enable
Front USB3 Port 3
 Disable
 *Enable
Rear USB Ports
 Disable
 *Enable
Rear USB Port 1
 Disable
 *Enable
Rear USB Port 2
 Disable
 *Enable
Rear USB Port 3
 Disable
 *Enable
Rear USB Port 4
 Disable
 *Enable
Rear USB3 Port 5
 Disable
 *Enable
Rear USB3 Port 6
 Disable
 *Enable
Internal USB Ports
 Disable
 *Enable
Internal USB Port 1
 Disable
 *Enable
Internal USB Port 2
 Disable
 *Enable
Internal USB Port 3
 Disable
 *Enable
Internal USB Port 4
 Disable
 *Enable
Internal USB Port 5
 Disable
 *Enable
Internal USB Port 6
 Disable
 *Enable
Slot 1 - PCI Express x1
 Disable
 *Enable
Slot 2 - PCI Express x16
 Disable
 *Enable
Slot 3 - PCI Express x4
 Disable
 *Enable
Slot 4 - PCI Express x8
 Disable
 *Enable
Slot 5 - PCI Express x16
 Disable
 *Enable
Slot 6 - PCI
 Disable
 *Enable
Azalia HD Audio
 Device hidden
 *Device available
1394 Controller
 *Device available
 Device hidden
NIC Controller (AMT)
 Device hidden
 *Device available
SCU Controller
 *Device available
 Device hidden
USB3 Controller
 *Device available
 Device hidden
Embedded Security Device
 Device hidden
 *Device available
SATA0
 Device hidden
 *Device available
SATA1
 Device hidden
 *Device available
SATA2
 Device hidden
 *Device available
SATA3
 Device hidden
 *Device available
SATA4
 Device hidden
 *Device available
SATA5
 Device hidden
 *Device available
Serial Port A
 Device hidden
 *Device available
Network Boot
 Disable
 *Enable
Enter Ownership Tag
 
Enter UUID

Enter Feature Byte
 
Enter Build ID
 
Data Execution Prevention
 Disable
 *Enable
Virtualization Technology (VTx)
 Disable
 *Enable
Intel(R) VT-d
 Disable
 *Enable
Coherency Support
 *Disable
 Enable
ATS Support
 Disable
 *Enable
Intel TXT(LT) Support
 *Disable
 Enable
Activate Embedded Security On Next Boot
 *Disable
 Enable
OS management of Embedded Security Device
 *Enable
 Disable
Reset of Embedded Security Device through OS
 Disable
 *Enable
Legacy Support
 Disable
 *Enable
Secure Boot
 *Disable
 Enable
Clear Secure Boot Keys
 *Don't Clear
 Clear
Key Ownership
 *HP Keys
 Custom Keys
Fast Boot
 Disable
 *Enable
Runtime Power Management
 Disable
 *Enable
Idle Power Savings
 *Normal
 Extended
Turbo Mode
 Disable
 *Enable
Unique Sleep State Blink Rates
 *Disable
 Enable
S5 Maximum Power Savings
 *Disable
 Enable
Fan Idle Mode
 *------
 +-----
 ++----
 +++---
 ++++--
 +++++-
 ++++++
POST Messages
 *Disable
 Enable
Press ESC for Startup Menu Prompt
 *Enable
 Disable
System Recovery Boot Support
 Disable
 *Enable
Option ROM Prompt
 *Enable
 Disable
Mini Option ROM Display
 *Enable
 Disable
Remote Wakeup Boot Source
 Remote Server
 *Local Hard Drive
After Power Loss
 *Off
 On
 Previous State
POST Delay (in seconds)
 *None
 5
 10
 15
 20
 30
 40
 50
 60
Multi-Processor
 *Enable
 Disable
Active Processor Cores
 *All
 1
 2
Hyper-Threading
 Disable
 *Enable
Bypass F1 Prompt on Configuration Changes
 *Disable
 Enable
Sunday
 *Disable
 Enable
Monday
 *Disable
 Enable
Tuesday
 *Disable
 Enable
Wednesday
 *Disable
 Enable
Thursday
 *Disable
 Enable
Friday
 *Disable
 Enable
Saturday
 *Disable
 Enable
BIOS Power-On Time (hh:mm)
 00:00
NUMA
 Disable
 *Enable
PCI SERR# Generation
 Disable
 *Enable
PCI VGA Palette Snooping
 *Disable
 Enable
PCI Latency Timer
 32 PCI Clocks
 64 PCI Clocks
 96 PCI Clocks
 *128 PCI Clocks
 160 PCI Clocks
 192 PCI Clocks
 224 PCI Clocks
 248 PCI Clocks
CECP Mode
 *Disable
 Enable
PCIe Performance Mode
 *Disable
 Enable
Num Lock State at Power-On
 *Off
 On
S5 Wake on LAN
 Enable
 *Disable
Internal Speaker
 *Disable
 Enable
NIC Option ROM Download
 *Enable
 Disable
Slot 1 Option ROM Download
 Disable
 *Enable
Slot 2 Option ROM Download
 Disable
 *Enable
Slot 3 Option ROM Download
 Disable
 *Enable
Slot 4 Option ROM Download
 Disable
 *Enable
Slot 5 Option ROM Download
 Disable
 *Enable
Slot 6 Option ROM Download
 Disable
 *Enable
Serial Port A Settings
 *Disabled
 IO=3F8; IRQ=4
 IO=3F8; IRQ=3
 IO=2F8; IRQ=4
 IO=2F8; IRQ=3
AMT
 Disable
 *Enable
Unconfigure AMT/ME
 *Disable
 Enable
Bypass Unconfigure AMT/ME Prompt
 *Disable
 Enable
WatchDog Timer
 *Disable
 Enable
OS WatchDog Timer
 5
BIOS WatchDog Timer
 5
Tpm PPI policy changed by OS allowed
 *Disable
 Enable
Tpm measure boot variables/devices to PCR1
 *Disable
 Enable
Tpm No PPI provisioning
 *Disable
 Enable
Tpm No PPI maintenance
 *Disable
 Enable
Power-On Password 32
 
Setup Password 32
 
VGA Configuration
 *Slot 2 Nvidia
Headless Mode
 *Disable
 Enable
Legacy ACPI CPU Tables
 *Disable
 Enable
PXE Option ROMS
 --
 *EFI
 Legacy
Mass Storage Option ROMS
 --
 *EFI
 Legacy
Video Option ROMS
 --
 *EFI
 Legacy
Display Out Of Orom Space Error
 *Enable
 Disable
SSC Alignment
 *Enable
 Disable
Slot 1 Limit PCIe Speed
 *Auto
 8 Gbs   Gen3
 5 Gbs   Gen2
 2.5 Gbs Gen1
Slot 2 Limit PCIe Speed
 *Auto
 8 Gbs   Gen3
 5 Gbs   Gen2
 2.5 Gbs Gen1
Slot 3 Limit PCIe Speed
 *Auto
 8 Gbs   Gen3
 5 Gbs   Gen2
 2.5 Gbs Gen1
Slot 4 Limit PCIe Speed
 *Auto
 8 Gbs   Gen3
 5 Gbs   Gen2
 2.5 Gbs Gen1
Slot 5 Limit PCIe Speed
 *Auto
 8 Gbs   Gen3
 5 Gbs   Gen2
 2.5 Gbs Gen1
QPI Performance Counters
 *Disable
 Enable
Remote Optimized Performance
 *Disable
 Enable
Disable PERR
 *Disable
 Enable
MMIO Assignment Mode
 *Auto
 32 Bit
 64 Bit
CPU Alternate Power Policy
 *Disable
 Enable

[Alphavil]

the difference to our Z420:

ME Firmware Version
    8.1.31.1351
    
RAID+AHCI
    *AHCI

Reset of Embedded Security Device through OS
    *Disable
    Enable

Fast Boot
    *Disable
    Enable

The strange thing is, that we are not able to Enable "Reset of Embedded Security Device through OS" , it's greyed out.

/Andy

[BambiBoomZ]

Alphavil,

As far as Passmark Test results are concerned, all the results listing NVMe boot drives in the z420 and in the z620 are Samsung 950 Pro.  All the other M.2 drives are AHCI.  The 950 Pro adds a special EFI BIOS module in addition to the NVME drivers so systems predating NVMe can  use it.   I use a Z Turbo Drive in an z620 and a Samsung SM951 in the z420 and both are AHCI.  The Z Turbo Drive is also based on the Samsung SM951 but has an uprated board and much better cooling.  The  Z Turbo makes  a Passmark rating of 13460 in the z620 and the SM951 in the z420 is rated at 11559.

There are guides that describe a method whereby the BIOS modules may be installed that will supposedly allow  any 6,7, or 800 Intel Chipset with UEFI to use NVMe,  but the installation looks extremely technical and involves editing both BIOS and registry in ways I'd never attempt.  See:

#1 | [Guide] How to get full NVMe support for all Systems with an AMI UEFI BIOS

http://www.win-raid.com/t871f16-Guide-How-to-get-full-NVMe-support-for-all-Systems-with-an-AMI-UEFI-...

However, after some experience with M.2, I question whether the speed advantage of M.2 is noticeable in practical terms.  I recently ran tests between the z620 (2X E5-2690) with the Z-Turbo drive M.2 256GB AHCI having a Passmark disk rating of 13460 and the z420 (E5-1660 v2) with an Intel 730 480GB, having a disk rating of 4794.  These drives produced quite differnet benchmarks but the startup times, opening large 3D CAD files, saving, closing, CPU and GPU rendering, and transfer speed, the difference was a few seconds here and there. Perhpas is i were working with very lare dataset processing the M.2 advantage would be more useful.  Strangely, the z420 with a CPU Turbo maximum of 4.0GHz to the z620's 3.8GHz - but with 16 cores, was faster in CPU rendering. that however, is what may be poor multi-threading of Sketchup /VRay.  Part of the problem must be that the storage drives are mech'l HDDs and the memory is DDR3 1600 and 1866. The chain is only as good as the weakest link- so the transfers wouldn't be as fast. I think I'd rather invest in 1TB SATA SSD's boot drives that backup / archive to a  slower 1TB SATA SSD storage drives.

If NVMe speeds are necessary, the easier method would be to change the Z-Turbo for a Samsung 950 Pro and use the included "legacy" BIOS.  In all examples, pay attention to the thermal issues.  There are an increasing number of M.2 to PCIe adapters having fans and heatinks. 

Cheers,

BambiBoom

[Alphavil]

Wow thanks for that great HowTo 🙂

I prepared the Rom.bin  but now I have the problem to flash the bios with it 😞

I tried 3 differend USB Sticks (USB 2.0 / FAT32) but nothing works ....