Upgrade your HP 9000/345 or 375 to a 380

This information tells you how to upgrade your HP 9000/345 or 375 workstation to a 9000/380. The difference is a 25 or 33 MHz 68040 processor instead of a 50 MHz 68030 microprocessor (about a 2 to 3 times increase in performance for most tasks).

I don't have very detailed info on upgrading a 345 or 375 to a 380 (or even an EEPROM image files). If someone were to send me details, I'd be happy to add them. Presumably a procedure similar to the 400 to 425/433 upgrade would be followed.

1. Make sure you compile a new kernal or have the generic kernal installed. If you only have a HP345 or HP375 kernal installed, then your machine will not boot when you upgrade it.

2. Get the following parts:
   • Motorola 68040 microprocessor
   • Oscillator clock. You'll need a 50 MHz oscillator or a 66 MHz oscillator (twice the CPU speed).
   • Spare EEPROM, programmer, and image. No one on the net has yet posted the EEPROM image for a 380, but you can order one from HP:
     Part #1818-5062
     Order from 800 227-8164

3. Use the image file to create an EEPROM that will boot a 68040 machine. I can't give details here, since I don't know what equipment you have. If you got the EEPROM from HP, then you can (obviously) skip this step.

4. Open the case and remove the motherboard.

5. Remove the 68030 daughterboard (also called an L-Board). This is the rather large PCB held in by 5 screws in the center of the motherboard. Be sure to carefully remove it from the socket on the left side. In case you're curious, the chip labeled SC414075RC50 is actually a 50 MHz 68030, for some reason the part number does not contain "68030"

6. Remove the EEPROM.

7. Insert the new EEPROM.

8. Insert the new oscillator. Pin one (squared off corner) goes where the white square on the motherboard is located.

9. Insert the new 68040. Pin one (triangle on corner of chip) goes in location A1 of that socket (A-T and 1-18 are printed on my motherboard).

10. Reassemble your workstation.

11. Fire it up. If it doesn't work, you still have all the parts necessary to return your system to its original state (i.e. 50 MHz 68030).

12. If you feel like living dangerously, you can probably overclock your 68040.

13. Enjoy significantly faster performance.