Hi all.
I have an XW6400, condition somewhat unknown, that I have decided to get operational. I received this unit for free.
It had no processors, memory, or video card.
I purchased two 5345 processors ($10 on server monkey), two heatsinks with fans, and 16GB of ddr2 5300 memory buffered. Currently costs are
I have experience working with computers/networks, etc.
Here is where I am at and am looking for input.
I installed all of the above components and the computer boots up but I thought I should upgrade the BIOS before installing the OS (currently 1.23) to 2.38.
F10 option with Update Flash/BIOS only looks for a floppy drive, so I figured the USB option just wasn't available as I tried three different flash drives and none seem to be detected to Update the BIOS.
During this process, the computer seemed to hang after being on for a while. If I let it sit, it would be responsive...no OS at this point (nor hard drives).
I finally created a Hiren's boot cd, booted to dos, and ran the Bios update but it hung at 62%. I let it sit for quite a while and eventually shut it down. Now it comes on with 8 red light beeps, green light, and a single beep.
Looks like I may have messed up the Bios. I found information online about recovering to an old Bios via the windows key + B while powering on but this doesn't seem to be doing anything. I also found a jumper that looks like it involves recovery of the Bios but I haven't found anything online referring to it.
After reading some posts in the HP forum, looks like my motherboard 436925-001 should be swapped for the 442029-001 model, esp. to support the 5345 processors.
So, I am wondering if I should even bother with fixing the Bios and just getting a replacement motherboard.
I am not looking to spend a whole lot more money and doing so far ok but of course I still don't have a working computer 
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I also looked up the Mfg# specs on the processors - SLAEJ, SL9YL, SLAC5.
I have the SL9YL. I saw in another post that the SLAEJ is the suggested processor if going with the 5345...is this a hard rule.
Basically I am looking at what my options are.