HP Pro 3300 & 3400 (H61): Upgrade to Ivy Bridge

[ngocthienta]

Do I need to write protect the chip after flashing?

No I never had to do that. I just use NeoProgrammer / AsProgrammer and Erase - Flash - Verify.

[Hooper]

I have gone back to a HP 7.16 (not A version) bios and everything is working fine. From memory the 7.16A version would not install on my board previously. So it seems I have no hardware issues with my board, but Foxconn bios only worked for 1 day or so. I did some bios changes and reboots, then no boot problems began. It would need resetting of the bios by removing coin batt and power, usually overnight or longer. This worked a couple of times, then no boot at all. A biostar bios provided by Acidmonkey did not post for me.

Any thoughts on what is going on here?

[ngocthienta]

I'm afraid the only way to know what's wrong is to get yourself a TL631/TL611 and plug it in LPC_DEBUG header on the board to see what kind of POST code you get when the board cannot boot with Foxconn/Biostar/Gigabyte BIOS.

[Hooper]

I have ordered a TL611, hope it helps me solve this problem. These cards are not cheap; $50 Aus.

[miant]

I have ordered a TL611, hope it helps me solve this problem. These cards are not cheap; $50 Aus.

FYI, you can buy used HP Pro 3400 Motherboard 657002-001 on ebay for $20-25.