Install Libreboot HP Compaq Elite 8300 USDT


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HP Compaq Elite 8300 USDT
Specifications
Manufacturer HP
Name Compaq 8300 Elite USDT
Released 2012
Chipset Intel Q77
CPU LGA 1155, Intel Sandy/Ivy Bridge
Graphics Intel HD 3000/4000 + MXM gpu
Memory 16GB DDR3L SODIMMs (2x8GB)
Architecture x86_64
Intel ME/AMD PSP Present. Disabled with me_cleaner.
Flash chip SOIC-16 16MiB

Get the ROM image

Download from release

If you’re using a release ROM, please ensure that you’ve inserted extra firmware required refer to the guide for that (, failure to adhere to this advice will result in a bricked machine)

  • Intel ME (vendor blob)

Build from source

./mk -b coreboot hp_elite_8300_usdt_16mb

Internal/Software Flashing

Internal flashing is possible. OEM BIOS versions 2.87, 2.90, 2.99, and 3.08 are confirmed compatible with this guide. BIOS 2.05 is confirmed not to work.

If you have some other BIOS version, please do tell about it on IRC or comment on this issue, so this guide can be updated.

The jumper labelled “FDO” (for Flash Descriptor Override) needs to be shorted. That removes all write protections on this board.

We can borrow a shunt from another header on the board: PSWD. It is right next to the SO-DIMM RAM slots. Move it to the FDO header between the quartz crystal (small metal cylinder) and the power cable for the optical drive.

The BIOS should no longer impose any write-protections.

After the jumper set, follow the guide to backup and flash.

External/Hardware Flashing

Unbricking is possible by external flashing. You first need to remove the optical disk drive and 2.5" HDD/SSD and the metal bracket that supports them. This requires you to open one torx (T15) screw in total.

The SOIC-16 flash chip is located on the edge of the board near the group of yellow cubes. Follow the general SPI flashing guide.

If you don’t have a suitable clip, you can also use the ROM_RCVRY header right next to the flash chip. By default only the footprint is present, so you have to solder a pin header of your own. End result can be seen and the pinout can be seen in the photo earlier. Consult the HP service manual (page 241) on how to remove the motherboard from the chassis.

http://web.archive.org/web/20210305234331/https://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c03612798.pdf

If you do this, you have to reapply thermal paste. That might be a good idea anyway, considering how old these are getting

You might need to power the board by plugging it in. In that case, do not connect the Vcc (3v3) pin of the flash chip. Also make sure the board doesn’t fully power on (that is, boot).

Check the hw-flashing guide before moving onto the next step below.

Flash it: (With rpi-pico as an example, edit the line if needed.)

flashprog -p serprog:dev=/dev/ttyACM0,spispeed=16M -w filename.rom

Set MAC address

This platform uses an Intel Flash Descriptor, and defines an Intel GbE NVM region. As such, release/build ROMs will contain the same MAC address. To change the MAC address, please read nvmutil documentation.

Upgradable (socketed) GPU

So far, only Quadro 1000M and 2000M have been tested with Libreboot (hp8560w). Guide

If a MXM gpu is installed, all three monitor ports should be active. The igpu will use the top DisplayPort and the MXM gpu will operate the bottom DisplayPort & VGA. (Untested)

It should be possible to use both gpus in a dual-gpu setup.

Expanded_Specifications

Specifications
Manufacturer HP
Name/Variant Compaq 8300 Elite USDT
Released 2012
Chipset Intel Q77
CPU LGA 1155, Intel Ivy Bridge Core+Xeon E3 v2 & Sandy Bridge Core+Xeon E3 v1
Memory DDR3L SODIMMs (max 15GB, 2x8GB)
Graphics Intel HD 4000 (Ivy Bridge) & HD 3000 1.35Ghz i7+Xeon E3/HD 3000 1.1Ghz Core i5 and lower (Sandy Bridge)
Audio Realtek ALC221 HD
Networking Intel 82579LM
Expansion Slots PCIe 3.0; x16 in MXM, mPCIe
Storage connectors SATA III, mSATA II
I/O Ports on Front 4x USB 2.0, 2x Jack (headphone+microphone/stereo)
I/O Ports on Back 2x jack (in/out), 2x DisplayPort, PS/2 Mouse+Keyboard, 4x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0, RJ-45 1GbE (Ethernet), VGA

The Canoeboot version of this page is: https://canoeboot.org/docs/install/hp8300usdt.html

Markdown file for this page: https://libreboot.org/docs/install/hp8300usdt.md

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