Spectre 15-4010nr Thunderbolt Firmware Configuration Failing

[cginest]

Theres an existing post about using this configuration utility at http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Hardware/thunderbolt-spectre/td-p/2248647/page/6

Essentially it allows you to run non-approved thunderbolt devices, apparently one of which is the Apple Firewire to Thunderbolt adapter I'm trying to use.

The configuration utility itself is here - ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp61501-62000/sp61579.exe

Instructions on using it are here - http://h20564.www2.hp.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docId=c03725328#SpectreConfiguring

When I run this utility on a brand new Windows 8.1 install (fully updated), it fails to run and  therefore prevents  me from using my thunderbolt port in the way I'd like to. I need to know how to get the utility to run and/or modify the registry to create the same changes. When I run it currently, I get the below error output.

Ive tried running it in every compatibility mode offered, it still fails every time.

Problem signature:
  Problem Event Name:    CLR20r3
  Problem Signature 01:    TBT_FW_Update.exe
  Problem Signature 02:    1.0.0.0
  Problem Signature 03:    5170e80b
  Problem Signature 04:    TBT_FW_Update
  Problem Signature 05:    1.0.0.0
  Problem Signature 06:    5170e80b
  Problem Signature 07:    5b
  Problem Signature 08:    48
  Problem Signature 09:    System.DllNotFoundException
  OS Version:    6.3.9600.2.0.0.768.101
  Locale ID:    1033
  Additional Information 1:    4db9
  Additional Information 2:    4db92b5ef2067cc11389986c877cc0f7
  Additional Information 3:    7711
  Additional Information 4:    77119d9ad7059b20eb1f9b9d6a3266c3

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Ive been fighting with this machine for over a week now, and I finally found the fix yesterday only to discover that it doesnt run. I need someone at HP to tell me how I can run my "non-approved" Thunderbolt device, which shouldnt be up to HP in the first place.

[cginest · Accepted solution]

For whatever reason the config utility isnt compatible with windows 8.1 even though it works with win8. I'm not an expert but in my experience just about everything that works on win8 also works on 8.1, so clearly HP needs to update this utility to work with 8.1. I imagine it will be an easy fix. While youre at it, make it work with windows 10 as well.

What I may try next is upgrading to 8.1 after running the utility in win8, under the assumption that the firmware change will carry over into 8.1. If this works, its possible it would carry over into win10 as well. Obviously a clean install wouldnt work but upgrading should.

Assuming that works, the major limitation is that you cant have a clean install of 8.1 or 10 and use your thunderbolt port to its full potential. I think its ridiculous that HP is governing which thunderbolt devices can be used and which cant. If one doesnt work due to hardware or other major compatibility issues, then it just doesnt work. Theres no reason to exclude hundreds or possibly thousands of other devices that probably work fine just because there may be a few that dont.

Considring HP has moved on from thunderbolt, I doubt any of this will ever be addressed. I just  hope that folks who enounter this issue in the future dont have to scour the web for a week just to find a glimmer of hope to get their devices working.

[cginest]

Another relevant note here...

This utility will not run on the Enterprise Evaluation Edition of windows 8 either. Thats the only win8 version I can find anywhere online. Basically, unless you can restore your original win8 copy, you cant use the TB port on this machine with non-certified devices.