z800 does not startup - no beeps

[Dan_WGBU]

The Z800 boot block that supports the 5600 processors is dated 11/10/09.  This is date for BIOS 3.57, and is the same for all Z800 BIOSes since at least 3.05.  I could not find this in the HP documentation either, but I checked this internally at HP.

[joenaumann]

So honestly - How can I get a boot block update to run a 56xx CPU on my Z800.

I mean it´s 2014 and must be possible.

If it´s not  why should anyone buy a HP Workstation if the next processor- generation will not be supported. Sounds  ridicilous to me.

[fdeutschmann]

Since no one answered this last question, I will....

Nope, simply not possible.  At least, not possible within the typical realm of minimal intervention.

The BIOS flash ROM on the MB supports permanent protection for regions; HP has employed this functionality to prevent the boot block area from ever being modified.  It's not even possible to connect an I2C tool to this chip to re-flash that region.  It would (theoretically) be possible to de-solder the chip and replace it with a new one flashed (with an external tool) from a V1.02 MB, but that's rather extreme even if you have the tools and skills.

However, I will point out that you can easily get v1.02 MB's on eBay (or the wider web) from a multitude of sellers; these run about $250 or so, and may even include the high performance heatsinks.  This is a drop-in replacement on gen 1 Z800's, tool-free even!  (If the new MB doesn't include the standoffs, you will need to pull those off your old board, which will require a T15 security Torx driver and a 7mm open end wrench.)

No need to flash your boot block, just replace the MoBo.  And BTW, I recommend also picking up the liquid cooling option for the hot procs; that's another $250 or so.

-frank