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Z400 does not display BIOS

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fentanyl123 Posted messages 34 Status Member -  
jeannets Posted messages 28401 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   -

Hello everyone,

I acquired an HP Z400 today that I plan to restore to good software condition so it can be resold, but unfortunately, this PC is giving me quite a bit of trouble.

For context, the computer is currently running on a 250 GB HDD with Windows 10, which I plan to swap for a 500 GB SSD with Windows 11.

The problem is as follows: when I start the computer with the HDD connected, everything works fine; Windows 10 boots (slowly, but it boots). However, when I swap the HDD for the SSD, the computer does absolutely nothing at startup; it doesn't display either BIOS or boot menu.

Even when connecting a bootable USB drive created with RUFUS, nothing happens. Whether the drive is plugged in or not, the indicators light up, the fans spin, and that's it—no beeps, no flashes, total silence.

Do you have any ideas to solve this problem?

6 answers

  1.
    jeannets Posted messages 28401 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   Ambassadeur 6 603
     

    Good evening,

    The problem with this PC is its age... Windows 8 is its maximum...

    And the drivers + chipsets do not support SSDs... etc... etc.

    To breathe new life into this PC (differently), it would be wiser to run it on Linux, particularly the "Mint" version... It works, it's light enough to achieve some performance..!!

    There you go... there are no miracles..

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  2. fentanyl123 Posted messages 34 Status Member
     

    Thanks for the recommendation, I'll take a look at it. Windows 11 was just an example, nothing definitive for now;)

    The main issue is that I can't install an OS since I can't access the BIOS or boot menu :/

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    1. brucine Posted messages 24882 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   4 175
       

      Hello,

      Jeannets is not telling the truth, it rains online sold at least with Windows 10 Pro and an SSD.

      Now, I don’t have a formal answer to the question; it may relate to the need to download specific drivers, to the connection of the SSD, to the particular configuration of the BIOS with RAID controllers, to the necessity of specific SSDs (Crucial sells them at prices that reach what can be expected from resale)...

      See a related discussion on another workstation model:

      https://superuser.com/questions/1492467/hp-workstation-z640-ssd-not-detected

      If the BIOS is silent as soon as the new SSD is inserted, it’s either because a specific model is required or that the presence of a RAID device is imperative, or that tweaking the BIOS settings with the HDD in place is necessary before shutting down and rebooting on the SSD.

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  3. MaxGix Posted messages 5389 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   2 371
     

    Hello,

    I have a client who has this type of machine as a server; unless the SSD is NVME (so with a PCI adapter), there is no reason for a 2.5 SATA SSD not to be recognized unless it is out of order.

    Press either F9 for the boot menu or F10 for the BIOS and make sure everything is correctly configured.

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  4. jeannets Posted messages 28401 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   Ambassadeur 6 603
     

    OK, I’m not claiming anything at all... if I had this machine in my hands, I could be more assertive... It's just a forum.

    As for accessing the BIOS, I think it's possible by doing the right manipulation... And that’s where the problem lies.

    Here’s the manual http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01706256.pdf

    It seems that accessing the BIOS is done by pressing F10 between the moment of powering on and before the end of the logo... it’s quick.

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  6. fentanyl123 Posted messages 34 Status Member
     

    Well, I managed to access the BIOS!

    I honestly tried some random stuff because I couldn't find any solution and... it worked, I removed two RAM sticks, spammed F10, and turned my screen off and on again, and strangely it worked.

    From there, I was able to modify the boot options in the BIOS and I can now install an OS, which remains to be determined based on the tricks I'm going to pull ;)

    For Jeannets, this computer is officially not supported on Win 10 but it is possible to install it with a bootable USB made with Rufus, I think, which is why you can find it online but it's honestly just a hack.

    Thanks everyone for your help :)

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  7. jeannets Posted messages 28401 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   Ambassadeur 6 603
     

    Here is the link for "Creating installation media for Windows 10"

    https://support.microsoft.com/fr-fr/windows/cr%C3%A9er-un-support-d-installation-pour-windows-99a58364-8c02-206f-aa6f-40c3b507420d#ID0EJD=Windows_10

    All that's missing is the license key; but you can find them cheap online (Amazon, Cdiscount)

    This isn't a hack, it's a genuine Windows.

    Take care.

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