
| 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 |
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)
Build from source
./mk -b coreboot hp_elite_8300_usdt_16mb
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.
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
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.
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.
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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