Z440 motherboard case swap

[bazaarboy]

hello friends
I want to use a Z440 motherboard for TrueNAS. So I need to fit it into a large tower case that can take all my HDDs.

The problem is I can't get it to post.

Here's how I connected everything - I used a standard ATX psu and connected the 18-pin and 12-pin adapters to the 24-pin and 8-pin outputs correspondingly, and then onto the motherboard.

I fitted a Xeon E5-2650 V4 CPU, and 4 sticks of HP branded DDR4 2400mhz RAM. I alternately tried 1, 2 and 4 sticks to try my luck in getting to post.
I used the correct 6-pin CPU fan connector.
I tried two Quadro cards, an NVS 510 and 310, alternately trying both the PCIe slots.

I powered the motherboard on using the rear power switch - the white LED comes on, the cpu and graphics card fans start spinning but there is no beep and no video output at all.

I haven't connected any USB headers, not any connectors for the front IO panel.
But in any case I would expect some post to show, maybe with a warning for example, even without the usb and front IO panel.

Can I ask, what's the minimum components and connections you tried?
Any suggestions on what to try?
Many thanks for your help

 

[Quartz]

I fitted a Xeon E5-2650 V4 CPU

Did you update the BIOS first?

Here's how I connected everything - I used a standard ATX psu and connected the 18-pin and 12-pin adapters to the 24-pin and 8-pin outputs correspondingly, and then onto the motherboard.

Huh?

 

[bazaarboy]

Did you update the BIOS first?



Huh?

Nope. It's a compatible CPU, didn't think a bios update would be needed. The problem is I don't have a different, older cpu to test this.

As for the power cables, the HP workstation motherboards don't take standard ATX psu connectors, they need two conversion cables

 

[Quartz]

Nope. It's a compatible CPU, didn't think a bios update would be needed.

Just because it fits doesn't mean a BIOS update isn't needed.

The problem is I don't have a different, older cpu to test this.

You may not need a CPU installed to update the BIOS.

As for the power cables, the HP workstation motherboards don't take standard ATX psu connectors, they need two conversion cables

Ah. Exactly which motherboard is it?

 

[bazaarboy]

Just because it fits doesn't mean a BIOS update isn't needed.



You may not need a CPU installed to update the BIOS.




Ah. Exactly which motherboard is it?

Hmm how can I update the BIOS if it won't even post?
I will look into this....


Motherboard model is FMB-1401A
Thanks

 

[bazaarboy]

Sorry, motherboard is FMB-1401

 

[mickyflinn]

Hmm how can I update the BIOS if it won't even post?
I will look into this....


Motherboard model is FMB-1401A
Thanks

You can't you need another CPU to do that, what I would do is find the cheapest earliest CPU supported on that motherboard buy it and try it.

 

[Quartz]

Sorry, motherboard is FMB-1401

Looking here there may be an April 2023 BIOS update.

Looking at page 35 of the maintenance manual seems to indicate that you cannot flash without a supported CPU.

what I would do is find the cheapest earliest CPU supported on that motherboard but it and try it.

I concur.

 

[bazaarboy]

Thanks chaps

I ordered a Xeon E5 v3, which was compatible out the box with these workstations, for the princely sum of £5.

Will see how it goes

 

[bazaarboy]

You can't you need another CPU to do that, what I would do is find the cheapest earliest CPU supported on that motherboard buy it and try it.

Thanks mickyflinn.
That worked.
The old cpu allowed the system to post and then I updated the BIOS.
Now I'm using all the up to date components
Cheers!

 

[sleon]

Nope. It's a compatible CPU, didn't think a bios update would be needed. The problem is I don't have a different, older cpu to test this.

As for the power cables, the HP workstation motherboards don't take standard ATX psu connectors, they need two conversion cables

Hi. What conversion cables did you use? Got a link? The 18 pin connector from the z440 power supply is male, requires female socket, then needs male connector to plug to a new non HP motherboard. Same problem with the other power cable. Alternately, what power supply would fit into the z440 case that uses current modular plugs for a new motherboard?