HP Compaq Pro 6300 Series

This page describes how to run coreboot on the HP Compaq Pro 6300 Series desktop.

These come in two versions: Microtower or Small Form Factor (SFF). They share the same mainboard (657239-001) and Maintenance and Service Guide (690362-003/c04034127). This port has been tested on a SFF unit.

Working

  • i3-3220 / e3-1225v2 CPUs

  • SeaBIOS (version rel-1.16.3-0-ga6ed6b70)

  • EDK2 (MrChromebox/2502)

  • Fedora-mate with Linux kernels 6.11.4, 6.13.6; KDE neon with Linux kernel 6.8.0 / 6.11.0

  • Mixed memory configurations from single 4GB to 24GB total with 1.35v & 1.5v modules

  • Integrated Ethernet

  • Serial port

  • PS/2 keyboard and mouse

  • Integrated graphics over DisplayPort and VGA port

  • libgfxinit textmode (SeaBIOS) / framebuffer (EDK2)

  • discrete GPU’s show boot screen using SeaBIOS / EDK2 (LOAD_OPTION_ROMS=TRUE)

  • All SATA ports

  • All USB2 & USB3 ports

  • PCI slot (Realtek RTL8169 GbE card)

  • PCIe 3.0 x16 using 2.0 8x 10Gb Intel X540-AT2 / 1.0 16x nVidia GeForce(6200 LE / GT640-2GD3)

  • PCIe 2.0 x1 using 2.0 1x 2.5Gb Realtek RTL8125

  • PCIe 2.0 x1 using 1.0 1x 1Gb Intel 82574L (SeaBIOS loads option rom)

  • Audio built-in speaker (plays music in OS compared to legacy bleep pc-speaker)

  • Front panel audio ports (front headphone port overrides built-in speaker; only microphone works with combo mic/headphone with TRRS plug)

  • Back panel audio ports

  • Sensors CPU and 4 DIMM jc42-i2c sensors

  • Booting USB / SATA(HDD/DVD)

  • LEDs HDD, Power(blinks on suspend)

  • Shutdown, Reboot, Suspend & Wake (USB keyboard & LAN)

  • Strip down Intel ME/TXE firmware and hide MEI device

Untested

  • Parallel port

Not working

  • Simultaneous use of discrete and integrated graphics

TODO

The following things are still missing from this coreboot port:

  • Extended HWM reporting

  • Advanced LED control

  • Advanced power configuration in S3

Flashing coreboot

Type

Value

Socketed flash

no

Model

MT25Q128A

Size

16 MiB

In circuit flashing

yes

Package

SOIC-16

Write protection

Yes

Dual BIOS feature

No

Internal flashing

yes

Internal programming

Internal flashing is possible. The SPI flash can be accessed using flashrom, but you have to short the FDO pins located near the rear USB3 ports on the motherboard using a jumper to temporarily disable write protections while on the stock firmware. Remove the jumper once coreboot is installed.

External programming

External programming with an SPI adapter and flashrom does work, but it powers the whole southbridge complex. You need to supply enough current through the programming adapter.

If you want to use a SOIC Pomona test clip, you have to cut the 2nd DRAM DIMM holder, as otherwise there’s not enough space near the flash.

Technology

Northbridge

Intel Sandy Bridge-specific documentation

Southbridge

bd82x6x (Q75)

CPU

model_206ax

SuperIO

Nuvoton NPCD379

EC

Coprocessor

Intel ME