HP Update - BIOS and Graphics Driver update discrepancies

[mb1280]

Here are discrepancies that I find, updating the BIOS and Graphics driver

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

HP z240 Drivers page . . . https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-z240-tower-workstation/8354563

This page just highlights critical updates . . . To determine if installed, or not, go by what you see on the . . . HP SoftPaq Download Manager

BIOS . . . The HP Support Assistant apparently has a bug, go by what it says on the . . . HP z240 Drivers page
. . . The HP Support Assistant will still indicate to install the current BIOS
. . . The HP SoftPaq Download Manager will indicate that it is Up to date

Intel Graphics Driver . . . The HP page doesn't keep up with the current driver, see what it says on the . . . Intel® Driver & Support Assistant
. . . De-install the current driver first . . . Then make sure that 8 Intel startups are enabled in msconfig / Services . . . Install it
. . . Then the driver will register as installed on the Intel® Driver & Support Assistant
. . . The HP SoftPaq Download Manager will still indicate to install the previous driver

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

HP SoftPaq Download Manager . . . https://ftp.hp.com/pub/caps-softpaq/cmit/HP_SDM.html

HP Support Assistant . . . https://www8.hp.com/us/en/campaigns/hpsupportassistant/hpsupport.html

Intel® Driver & Support Assistant . . . https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/intel-driver-support-assistant.html

[DGroves]

you have to understand that hp has many divisions and as such each HP program may be at different builds/ or show different updates, this is normal as each HP division may have different methods of vetting a MS update/patch

as for graphics (and other updates/patches), again it's normal for intel (or other venders) to post a new driver which HP has to then look at and vett/approve before posting it on their web site

 bios updates,...again HP may post a update for a specific OS and not other OS's due to the time involved to vett/check a bios patch themselves on specific hardware.......although HP could make this a bit clearer 

you also need to keep in mind the Intel updater is primarily made to update Intel boards and "generic" boards using intel chipsets as such it's list of shown available updates may or may not be correct for your specific motherboard as many intel based boards have customized video drivers that have been modified by the OEM, and overwriting them with the intel GENERIC driver may cause loss of video options or improper video operations (laptops are very prone to this issue)

[Dragon-Fur]

@mb1280 

Comments / Personal Observations

Business class systems are likely best served using SDM.  The tool is more sophisticated and perhaps "smarter" than HPSA;  business class computers are "smarter" (more configurable in the field) than are consumer grade systems. 

The level of configurability illustrates a major design difference between business class units and consumer grade systems - business class computers are (can be) deployed into enterprise environments and are meant to be (or at least can be) serviced and updated in the field by the company, by the individual owner, or by an IT department.

HP Support Assistant is sometimes (usually) not the best tool to use for updating the BIOS.  In particular, if you have a tool like SDM available, there is no reason to rely on the HP Support Assistant for the purpose of determining BIOS update or compatibility.

Recommendation:  Do not use HPSA to update the BIOS or to determine whether the BIOS is available for update. 

SDM, though it is smarter (and more configurable) than HPSA,  (likely) relies on the downloaded catalog provided by the software to determine which drivers are available.  If the catalog does not agree with your installation parameters, "something" will not line up.  I would guess, due to the manner in which the SDM code is structured, that the (SDM) software will use the catalog information as reference.

HP software and drivers may indeed be "older" than some of component vendor provided software and drivers.  This is not unexpected.  Vendors make available software when they have completed testing and verification for the version being released.  Computer manufacturers complete their own testing and verification for software released under that manufacturer's name (HP, for example). 

If you want to continue to use HPSA in spite of its limitations, I suggest that you set the software to Notify you when updates are available (as opposed to letting the software install updates automatically).  

If neither software gives you the information you seek, you may certainly decide to manage the computer updates manually - lots of people in the world opt for this "check / verify / manually install" methodology.

NOTE: 

The words "likely" and "perhaps" are used deliberately as a means to convey that these ideas are not HP directed statements.

For those reading...

Augment the "critical update" notifications found in the Software and Drivers website for you device.

Find bulletins / Notices that are relevant to your device

• Subscribe to HP Alerts

Get connected with updates from HP

and / or

• Check for information at your computer's support website

Open Support Home

Enter the name of your device

When the website support page opens, Select  Category Bulletins and Notices (wording may vary)

Driver Management for Business class computers (SDM)

 Business Systems - Client Management Solutions (software management)

Softpaq Download Manager - HP Software installations / updates / management

Business class computers support a robust, comprehensive software tool for updating and

managing HP Software and Drivers:  Softpaq Download Manager (SDM)

SDM will find-install-update needed HP software and drivers for your business class machine, including, when applicable, the fussy BIOS update.

 HP SoftPaq Download Manager (SDM)

4.4.0

sp87158

04/20/2018

Windows (Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10)

sp87158.exe

sp87158.html

How-to and Instructions:

HP Notebook PCs - Using HP SoftPaq Download Manager

Once the SDM software is installed, the Help document can be accessed within the software or on disk:

• Open SDM software, Click the Blue Question mark “?”in the upper left of the main SDM window.
• Open File Explorer > Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\HP\HP SoftPaq Download Manager > Select language appropriate .chm file

Thank you for participating in the HP Community Forum.

We are a world community of HP enthusiasts dedicated to supporting HP technology.

Click Thumbs Up on a post to say Thank You!

Answered? Select the relevant post "Accept as Solution" to help others find it.

[mb1280]

Thanks! I purchased this computer on the refurbished site: HP Small & Medium Business Store - Refurbished business products . . . https://h41369.www4.hp.com/pps-offers.php

I was very impressed with the HPSA animation - they really simplified the update process.

Then there is the SDM . . . I wondered why there is another way to get updates.

Then there is the HP Print and Scan Doctor . . . https://support.hp.com/us-en/topic/printscandoctor . . . I wonder why this isn't part of the HPSA

It would be good if there were a page, that explained the differences and purpose of all these versions of the software.

[Dragon-Fur · Accepted solution]

@mb1280 

You are welcome.

Comments / Personal Observations

There are web pages that describe HPSA, SDM, and the Print Doctor.  These tools are unrelated to one another for the most part.  Each software is provided (with) its own web support / documentation.

HPSA - doctor not part?  I would guess that the HPSA and Print Doctor are not closely enough related to package into the same interface.  I would also venture that the two software packages are written, published, and maintained by different groups.  Separation of this kind between departments is not uncommon (in my experience). 

Things change all the time, though, so "stay tuned".

HPSA and SDM - Why?

Generally speaking, viewed from the most basic (simplistic) perspective, the two softwares provide a similar "driver update" service.  Taking a closer look at the HPSA and the SDM can help you understand the differences.  It is understood that not everyone shares this level of interest in the subject.  Smiling. 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

HP Support Assistant 

Excerpted

Maintain your HP devices with automated support, updates, and fixes.

HP Support Assistant is included on new HP desktop and notebook PCs. You can install it on PCs from other manufacturers for easy access to support resources and tools for HP printers and PCs. 

HP Support Assistant

HPSA is a consumer grade system software that works on both the consumer grade computers and the business grade systems.  The tool is geared toward the "average" skill set and provides access to tools and information in addition to simple update tools for installed HP software and drivers.  The software is meant to be "point and click" to the extent that the programmers can manage to make it that way.  The interface is enormously sophisticated and restrictions might be due in part to the necessity to make the software easy to use.

HPSA is available (works) on most consumer and business class computers.

HPSA provides additional monitoring information - for example, both HP systems and HP printers can be added to the list of monitored systems.  Note that the (HP) system on which the (HPSA) software is installed is available for using the "update" feature.  "Other" systems added to the list (as seen from the first PC) are "monitor" only.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

SDM and other Business class software / tools

 Business Systems - Client Management Solutions (software management)

How-to and Instructions (SDM)

HP Notebook PCs - Using HP SoftPaq Download Manager

SDM is a business class software that is available for use on business grade systems.  The software is geared to a more intermediate (to advanced) skill set and provides a more direct access to the information and methodology used to install / update / deploy HP software and drivers.  The tool can be used by itself or on conjunction with other Client Management tools in an enterprise (work) environment to manage, maintain, and update HP software.

SDM is not (at this writing) available for consumer grade computers.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Print Doctor

HP Print and Scan Doctor for Windows

The Print Doctor (for Windows) is primarily a scan / print diagnostics software that, with each newer version, is smarter about finding and resolving the various issues encountered in an average print environment.  The tool can successfully (in some situations) install printer software, clear a broken print service (queue), and fix minor connection issues.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

More of Interest in the general category:

HP Diagnostics - HP Support Diagnostic Tools - HP Laptop Computers & Printers

Find bulletins / Notices that are relevant to your device

• Subscribe to HP Alerts

Get connected with updates from HP

and / or

• Check for information at your computer's support website

Open Support Home

Enter the name of your device

When the website support page opens, select Category Bulletins and Notices (wording may vary)

Thank you for participating in the HP Community Forum.

We are a world community of HP enthusiasts dedicated to supporting HP technology.

Click Thumbs Up on a post to say Thank You!

Answered? Select the relevant post "Accept as Solution" to help others find it.