Flash BIOS on Win7 with Vista Update

[KMickey0114]

I have the HP Pavilion M8300f. The computer comes with Vista 32 bit, but I was having problems and I had some guy install Windows 7 on it. Now this was years ago and ever since the two months after that install, I have been having problems over problems!

I updated all the drivers needed for Windows 7. The only thing that needs to be updated is the old 2007 BIOS.

There is a problem though, the only BIOS update is for Windows Vista 32. There isn't one compatible for my OS (Windows 7).

Here's the download for Windows Vista x32.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareDownloadIndex?softwareitem=pv-63120-1&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&...

Now I downloaded the file, and read a bunch of things about extracting using 7 zip and everything. But I really just want clear instructions on what to do.

REASON FOR UPDATE;

Computer freezes, real slow, crashes, also I bought 4GB of RAM (2GBx2) that will not run without a BIOS update.

Please help me, and thank you!

[old_geekster]

KMickey0114, welcome to the forum.

HP will not provide a BIOS update for Win7 on your computer.  You will have to use the Recovery Discs to revert back to Vista.  Then, you can update the BIOS.  Once this is done, you can again install Win7.

I know that this isn't what you wanted to hear, but it is the only way to do it.

Please click "Accept as Solution" if your problem is solved.

[KMickey0114]

Thank you for the quick reply.

So I have to
buy a new os(Vista)
install on the motherboard or hard drive
install the bios update then
Reinstall my already bought OS(win7)

Isn't there OS downgrade dangers, if so do I have to buy a new Vista AND a new Win7?

Or could I just install the OS on a separate 600GB
USB hard drive?

[TheOldMan]

Since Vista was the original OS, there should be a Recovery DVD set available for the computer, so no need to "buy" Vista.  I would invest in a new hard drive and install Vista on the new drive, run the BIOS update  then put the original hard drive back in.

I have not tried this but will the BIOS update run in a Win PE environment?  Might give that a try.

[KMickey0114]

Where would I get this recovery disk? This recovery disk would install Vista on the hard drive selected, and have the computer specifactions or properties or whatever say I'm running Vista therefore the download I need to install would be compatible with my computer? Then I can get my Windows 7 recovery disk and reinstall Windows 7, right?

[TheOldMan]

Supposedly here: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=bph07143&cc=us&dlc=en&lang=en&lc=en&product=3644...

But I would not install that on the present hard drive.  Like I said " I would invest in a new hard drive and install Vista on the new drive, run the BIOS update  then put the original hard drive back in."

The Windows 7 install would remain intact and if there is no Windows 7 recovery disk, I would make sure I had one. (it might not be a true recovery DVD but at least a install disc.)  Also, since Windows 7 is installed that is on the computer now, do you have the key saved?

Also, I would surely investigate the possibility of running the BIOS update in a Win PE environment.  If that term is foreign, Google it.

[old_geekster]

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KMickey0114 wrote:
Thank you for the quick reply.

So I have to
buy a new os(Vista)
install on the motherboard or hard drive
install the bios update then
Reinstall my already bought OS(win7)

Isn't there OS downgrade dangers, if so do I have to buy a new Vista AND a new Win7?

Or could I just install the OS on a separate 600GB
USB hard drive?

---

As stated by The OldMan, since Vista is the original OS, you should have Recovery Discs.  If you didn't delete it, you may have a Recovery partition on the original hard drive, as well.  You can tap F11 when booting to start the Recovery from the HDD.  The idea of a new hard drive may also work.  Here is a guide for doing a Recovery when the HDD has been replaced:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01684708&tmp_task=useCategory&cc=us&dlc=en&lang...

Let us know if you have more questions.

[KMickey0114]

I do not own a set of recovery disks, if possible can someone give me complete instructions on how I can get back to Vista and install the updates and then reinstall Windows 7?

Also, thank you guys so much! I really respect the quick replies!

[TheOldMan]

The way to get Vista reinstalled has been given.  Reread the above links in the posts.  The way to reinstall Windows 7 is up to you.  Do like I said " I would invest in a new hard drive and install Vista on the new drive, run the BIOS update  then put the original hard drive back in."The Windows 7 install would remain intact, no need to reinstall.

[KMickey0114]

Oh, I apologize. Thank you, but I have just one more question. My computer does have two hard drives? Could I just install Vista on one, leave Windows 7 on another? Or what about dual boot? Thank you guys!