How to change the power supply of the HP Z240 workstation with a standard ATX PSU?

[gehberger]

Hi,

I need to change the original power supply of an HP Z240 workstation against a more powerful standard ATX power supply.

I understand that we need to use an adapter for the motherboard connectors. There are some featuring the necessary connectors, but none of them states compatibility with a Z240. The closest I could find are adapters said to be working with HP Z220 and Z230. But none for the Z240.

https://www.amazon.com/motherboard-6-Pin-Power-Supply-adapter/dp/B01MT5DSXG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1512730552&sr=8-1&keywords=psu+adapter+24+pin+to+6

Does anyone have successfully changed the original power supply of a HP Z240 against a Non-HP third party PSU? I'd appreciate any help regarding this challenge and I want to point out that this is going to be the last HP workstation as long as they use such non-standard/weired components.

best regards,
Bernhard

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

The board and PSU are proprietary can't be upgraded with a standard ATX PSU , and usually the power pinouts are different on those models.

Sorry , no upgrade path there.

 

[USAFRet]

Basically, you don't.
Case, motherboard, PSU...all designed as a proprietary system.

 

[gehberger]

Ok, I understand there is no standard approach, that's why I have to ask some specialists here in the first place...

But the connectors are not "out of this world", basically standard connectors with maybe changed pin layout. So worst case would be to figure out which cable has to go on which pin and I am quite sure that some tech savy specialist figured that out for the Z240... hopefully..

 

[jankerson]

As the others said there is nothing you can do as it's very proprietary.


So the best you can do is build another system and reuse the CPU, RAM and HD out of that one, the rest is not useable.

 

[USAFRet]

Ok, I understand there is no standard approach, that's why I have to ask some specialists here in the first place...

But the connectors are not "out of this world", basically standard connectors with maybe changed pin layout. So worst case would be to figure out which cable has to go on which pin and I am quite sure that some tech savy specialist figured that out for the Z240... hopefully..

Well, yeah, you can. Maybe.
But the level of effort is more than the thing is worth.

Why the desire for a better PSU?
It may be more beneficial to just sell the HP, and buy/build something that actually meets your needs from the start.

 

[deus_juvat]

That Amazon part will work on the Z240.

 

[gehberger]

Ok, I now solved that one. After two professional computer experts denied to take a look, I did it myself.

So for anyone who wants to change the HP Z240 original power supply against a standard ATX power supply - here you go:

Get one (or better two) of those adapters:
https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B01J9PCDMY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Quality is rather shitty, I got two of those and one did not work. Also two cables got loose instantly.

But don't use the adapter as it is - it won't work and probably damage your computer.

Take a look at this explanation:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R2NXSMYUUD8YYB/ref=cm_cr_getr_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B06XW7RWNH

and then this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUbocXdrFfw

Both will explain to you what you need to change in order to make it work. You need to take off the 4 cables and remount the yellow and green one according to the instructions. (the green one goes where the original green one used to be, and next to it the yellow cable)

The other two are not needed.

There are two minor issues remaining:

Probably your ATX power supply does not support the power supply cooling vent sensor cables, so you will receive an error message during boot that there is no signal from the power supply vent, which can be pypassed by pressing Enter.

And of course HP did not use the standard power supply screw mounting positions. So it will not be possible to use the original srews/mounting positions to mount your power supply. It is however kept in place rather good by the HP case mounting brakets. If you need to fix it very strong, you need to drill know holes..

Otherwise this fix works well and you can install a more powerfull standard ATX power supply into your Z240 workstation.

However, I will never ever buy an HP workstation again as long as they use this kind of non-standard devices when there is no good reason and there is no documentation for it. Btw. plan B to change motherboard and power supply won't work either, because the HP case won't allow you to use any other motherboard as the connection panel can not be changed! I am VERY DISSAPOINTED by this unnecessary massive use of proprietary changes of standard items just to make replacements difficult and addons impossible.

Hope this helps!
(I am not a professional and I don't take any responsibility of this information in case you experience any kind of problems with it.)

 

[deus_juvat]

Great job.

I'm done with HP's propriety BS.

 

[geryflash7]

Im sorry that I havent seen this topic earlier, I would help you, but I'm glad you could solve the problem I have a HP Z210, and I was also suffering with these wannabe comptuer-experts in the topics like you.

Anyway, HP proprietary stuffs is realy annyoing, but I wouldnt say I would never buy e.g.: Z250 later... You will see these are realy rock-solid PC-s, I had several non-brand self-built PC before and they were maybe cheaper but they were not realible like this (or the Z230-Z240 comptuers at the company where I work).

 

[eric418]

This adapter cable is available in www.moddiy.com at HP Z240 PSU Main Power 24-Pin to 6-Pin Adapter Cable (30cm)

Hi,

I need to change the original power supply of an HP Z240 workstation against a more powerful standard ATX power supply.

I understand that we need to use an adapter for the motherboard connectors. There are some featuring the necessary connectors, but none of them states compatibility with a Z240. The closest I could find are adapters said to be working with HP Z220 and Z230. But none for the Z240.

https://www.amazon.com/motherboard-6-Pin-Power-Supply-adapter/dp/B01MT5DSXG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1512730552&sr=8-1&keywords=psu+adapter+24+pin+to+6

Does anyone have successfully changed the original power supply of a HP Z240 against a Non-HP third party PSU? I'd appreciate any help regarding this challenge and I want to point out that this is going to be the last HP workstation as long as they use such non-standard/weired components.

best regards,
Bernhard