BIOS update hangs in safe mode m9463fr

[nickd]

Pavilion Elite m9463fr

VIsta SP2 64-bit

I'm trying to update the BIOS from 5.35 to the latest update (5.43). sp46442.exe, as recommended  (see my thread  earlier today).

I'm in safe mode because of problems starting windows.

The update progress indicator has been sitting at 99% (judging by eye) for 30 mins.

What do I do?

nick

[lasvegaswireman]

Nick previously wrote...

Pavilion Elite m9463fr

VIsta SP2 64-bit

When it boots the screen displays a pattern of semi-colons, and it either doesn't get as far as starting Windows or gives the recovery screen saying Windows is unable to start due to missing/corrupt Windows files.. The Windows recovery tool can't fix the problem.  It booted once and when I ran sfc /scannow all it found was an unreadable irrelevant file for the gadget bar (which isn't even enabled).

I replaced the hard disk two weeks ago, did a clean Vista install and ran intensive hardware diags for several days - no problems whatsoever found.  There are no problems whatsoever on the disk (ran the WD manufacturer's tests repeatedly).

There have been no hardware changes apart from the replaced disk.

It's worked OK for a week and now this morning went back to the problem of semi-colons on the screen and Windows not starting.

PC Doctor gives the error code VC316-1,  which apparently indicates a problem in the video graphics.

I was getting similar problems last week, and while it would still boot into windows I ran FurMark which indicated no problems whatsoever on the NVidia grpahics card.

It ocassionally gives a short-long beep at boot, suggesting memory problems, but it passes the PC Doctor memory tests with flying colours.  PC Doctor seems to think the CPU, motherboard etc are OK.

Where do I go from here?  I didn't get a reply last time I asked this question.  Is there an hp tech who can tell me how to procede?

nick

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Nick,

This is a peer-to-peer user support forum. HP maintains no official presence on this forum and is unlikely to respond to your requests.

At this point, let the BIOS update run over night... maybe it will finish, maybe it won't. It is very possible that your BIOS will be corrupt when you reboot the system tomorrow. If this happens, we may still be able to save the computer. To me, your issues appear to be intermittent motherboard problems.

Frank

[nickd]

Thanks for the info.  Assuming it's an intermittent mobo problem, what do I need to look for when replacing it?

I have the recovey discs so am not worried about the recovery partition.

Can I use a 3rd-party BIOS, do I need a generic Pavilion Elite BIOS or do I need the specific BIOS for the model?

Is it safe to buy from a Chinese vendor on ePrey rather than paying 2.5X the price in France?

Can I put any generic ASUS equivalent with the same form factor etc?

nick

[lasvegaswireman]

Did you let the update run over night??? Did the computer boot afterwards???

HP custom mods their BIOS... only the specific model BIOS will work correctly

If you go with ePrey... make sure there is a DOA warranty at minimum.

If you replace the mobo with anything but the original factory installed board, you may lose the ability to use the HP OS install and the HP Recovery partition and discs will be rendered useless. This will require you to purchase a new OS disc.

Frank

[nickd]

I left it over night and but haven't tried booting yet.  As it's working in safe mode I'd rather see if there's anything else I can do while it's working rather than risk turning it into a brick when I try to reboot.

nick

[jubtub]

I'm having the exact same problem. BIOS update hangs at about 99% running from Safe Mode. I'm running Windows 7 64-bit. Also a Pavilion, but different model. 

[nickd]

I eventually killed the BIOS update program and tried updating with the original version.  This hung as well.  After a few hours I killed it and got a message along the lines of "Update process did not compete successfully.  Bios corrupt". 

So I swore a lot, and then rebooted to see what would happen. It rebooted and has been running fine ever since.

I've run a load of hardware diags and there are no problems whatsoever.

I've installed an Ubuntu partition so at least I can boot into a working OS if I get the Windows problem again.

nick

[jubtub]

I stopped the BIOS update as well. Just closed the status window, actually. I rebooted and the old BIOS was still there. I removed the offending driver (graphics driver), rebooted in normal mode, and reran the BIOS installer. Worked fine and now the graphics card driver works as well. All good.

Clearly there is an issue running the BIOS updater in Safe Mode.

NT