HP Z420 Older BIOS Versions

[oreganofarmer]

Hey forums, I recently have been trying to update my BIOS for my desktop to the latest version of 3.96, but it isn't going smoothly. I know I have an extremely old version of my BIOS, 1.02, and I know that I have to do update to an older version version such as 1.23 or 2.XX to actually update 3.96. However, in order for me to actually be able to update to 1.23 and up, I have to be version 1.07 and up (computer doesn't actually download 1.23 correctly when you have version 1.02). The problem is that I can't find any download or download links for 1.07 BIOS or another version like 1.14. I have found links for them through something like softpaq, but obviously the HP softpaq download manager shut down a while ago, and I can't open those links. Besides those finds, other links I've found are just dead links. Here's my question for you all, can you find me or even give me a download for older BIOS versions such as 1.07 or 1.14.? I would really appreciate if anyone could find one for me since I haven't able to find one myself. Someone please respond to me when I can. 

[itsmyname]

On the HP page:  https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-z420-workstation/5225033

I see:

BIOS (3)
HP Workstation BIOS Utilities
5.00 Rev. A 0.7 MB Jun 26, 2012 

HP Z420/Z620 Workstations System BIOS system software Manager Icon
03.96 Rev.A 19.3 MB Dec 13, 2019 

Intel Management Engine Firmware Update and Utilities
7.1.86.1221 Rev.A 3.9 MB Mar 25, 2015 

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Also, see: ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp57001-57500/sp57450.html

and the related download:  ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp57001-57500/sp57450.exe

Does this help?

[oreganofarmer]

I don't see a 0.7 version of the BIOS on the hp drivers download site, it's only the version 3.96 of the BIOS download. Also, I had said in my post I have no way of being able to see softpaq links or open them, so don't send me softpaq links unless there is a way you can help me to be able to see them. 

[DGroves]

from the HP z420 driver page open the bios file(s) by clicking the  plus symbol

now on the left side look for a small blue sideways triangle and click on it, this will expand showing a link to all previous bios's

the z420, does  require a step-up bios,  to use the latest bios

however do not use the windows based flasher, it may brick the system if run under win 10

update the bios from within the z420's bios by placing the bios update from the "DOS" folder onto the root of the usb key or from a bootable USB key formatted fat32 with the bios updates files from the "DOS" folder copied onto the usb key

note: only use the USB 2.0 ports for this update

from a previous post by "SDH" on this subject

Regarding BIOS... here's what you need to know:

1.  You need to do the "step-up" approach if your BIOS version is older than 1.07.

2.  The process is to install the Z420/Z620 BIOS version 1.23 first, and then the latest verson as a second step.  For the Z820 you'd need to step up first to 1.20, and then to the latest.  

3a.  Where to find the 1.23 installer for the Z420/Z620?  Get it from this ftp address:

ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp64501-65000/sp64701.exe

A HP ReadMe for that is at:  ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp64501-65000/sp64701.html

3b.  For the Z820:

ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp61001-61500/sp61312.exe

ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp61001-61500/sp61312.html

4.  How to update BIOS from within BIOS:

Take the .exe you downloaded above and run it... you can run it on another HP workstation or any PC and it will unpack itself and create a new folder on the root level of C titled SWSetup.  In that will be a folder with the same name.  For the Z420/Z620 it will be named SP64701.  Inside that will be a "DOS Flash" folder, and in that will be a file J61_0123.BIN.  Your system may or may not be configured to show extensions of known file type.... I set mine that way but there is nothing else in the DOS Flash folder like that.  Copy that file out onto the top level of a fat32 formatted small USB drive.

5.  Turn off your Z420, plug the USB drive into a USB2 port (not one of the blue USB3 ports).  Boot the Z420, go into BIOS, go to the first tab of BIOS, and down the list there will be an entry to update BIOS from within BIOS.  I forget the exact terminology, but there is only one item there that fits.  You choose the USB, and run it.  Then full shut down.  Then cold boot.  Now you can go on to doing the same process with the latest BIOS available.

Note that this process keeps the operating system out of the loop during BIOS updating.  There have been bricking of systems by updating the BIOS from within W10 especially, but also in W7 (rare),   It is such a huge avoidable issue to brick a motherboard by updating BIOS from within the operating system that I will never do that again.  I saved my Z620 workstation when that happened, and learned my lesson!

[itsmyname]

> I have no way of being able to see softpaq links or open them

After you download a SOFTPAQ, run it. As the first step, it will "unpack" the contents into a new folder on your disk-drive, and then "pause", allowing you to click "cancel" or "install". Click "cancel", and then you can inspect the files in that new folder.