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08-16-2021 07:17 PM
I have an old HP Desktop, Pavilion a6735a, the BIOS is Phoenix Technologies LTD 5.17, 15/01/2009
The operating system is Windows 8.1 Pro! My accounting software will not work on Windows 10 21H1 on my main PC, so I am using this Desktop to run the Accounting program as suggested by MYOB Support; it works well.
However, since Windows 11 is soon to be released, I figure that Microsoft will not be supporting Windows 8.1 in the near future, so I am wanting to upgrade to Windows 10 Creators Update 1809.
The BIOS is so old, it doesn't have an option in the Boot menu to boot from a USB, just Floppy Drive (not installed), CD/DVD or HDD. I booted from the DVD after creating a bootable disk to install Windows 8.1 Pro
I have tried HP Support, which recognizes the Desktop but doesn't find BIOS Update, just gives an error message and try again later, which I've done a few times.
Does anyone know how I can update my BIOS and will it work with Windows 10 Creators Update 1809?
Solved! Go to Solution.
Accepted Solutions
08-16-2021 08:56 PM - edited 08-16-2021 08:57 PM
Hi:
HP retired support for your PC since it is more than 10 years old, which is why the support page doesn't work.
W8.1 will be supported by Microsoft until Jan 10, 2023.
I can't find any BIOS updates for your PC.
What you could try is to make a DVD or USB flash drive from the W10 v1809 ISO file, and run it from the Windows desktop.
That way you should be able to get the free upgrade from W8.1 to W10.
Here is the link to the W10 v1809 64 bit English ISO file. The link will be good for 24 hours from the time of this reply.
Use the Microsoft tool that I zipped up and attached below that you will need to transfer the ISO file to a DVD or USB flash drive so that it is bootable or can be run from the Windows desktop.
The DVD should autorun.
To run Windows from a USB flash drive from the Windows desktop, click on the USB flash drive in the This PC/My PC.
You will see a list of files. Double click on the setup application to start the installation from the flash drive.
If W10 does not work right on your PC, you have 30 days to go back to W8.1 as long as you don't delete any files.
08-16-2021 08:56 PM - edited 08-16-2021 08:57 PM
Hi:
HP retired support for your PC since it is more than 10 years old, which is why the support page doesn't work.
W8.1 will be supported by Microsoft until Jan 10, 2023.
I can't find any BIOS updates for your PC.
What you could try is to make a DVD or USB flash drive from the W10 v1809 ISO file, and run it from the Windows desktop.
That way you should be able to get the free upgrade from W8.1 to W10.
Here is the link to the W10 v1809 64 bit English ISO file. The link will be good for 24 hours from the time of this reply.
Use the Microsoft tool that I zipped up and attached below that you will need to transfer the ISO file to a DVD or USB flash drive so that it is bootable or can be run from the Windows desktop.
The DVD should autorun.
To run Windows from a USB flash drive from the Windows desktop, click on the USB flash drive in the This PC/My PC.
You will see a list of files. Double click on the setup application to start the installation from the flash drive.
If W10 does not work right on your PC, you have 30 days to go back to W8.1 as long as you don't delete any files.
08-17-2021 12:10 AM
I have done as you suggested but I am locked on the screen displayed when booting up "Press <F10> to enter Setup"
I didn't find a keyboard key that worked; tried Esc, F1 -F12 nothing works! Tried Ctrl-Alt-Del Didn't work either. The only way out was to Power off the PC Power Button and then when I pressed it again just goes back to "Press <F10> to enter Setup"! What do I do now?
I have found a Phoenix Technologies Website and clicked on it: Chrome locked me out from downloading their software and when I changed the security settings to none Windows Defender removed the download due to a virus I think. Any way of getting the program without getting a virus?
08-17-2021 12:25 AM
Hi Paul,
Ignore that last post; I realised I still had the flash drive plugged in and so I pulled out the power chord and Hey Presto, it booted. It is now doing updates. I will check my accounting software after that is finished but could be a while since it is nearly 2 years since the release of 1809
Thanks again for your help!😁
08-17-2021 02:40 AM
Hi Paul,
Windows 10 is installed thanks to you and I didn't have to set up my accounting program again as it worked as usual! So relieved; it has been a month of no gain until now.
I can live with losing three months of data and files but I was upset at Microsoft for not giving me a hint that programs wouldn't work in Windows 10 21H1.
Anyway it's good that I should have a few extra years before Microsoft drops Windows 10
Have a good evening
Frazera_21
08-17-2021 06:41 AM - edited 08-17-2021 06:44 AM
You're very welcome.
Glad to have been of assistance.
Most likely, Windows Update will try and install the latest version of W10.
If you want to stay on version 1809, you can run the Hide Windows Update utility that I zipped up and attached below.
That will prevent the update from installing.
You may have to run the Hide Windows Update utility more than once, as W10 is very persistent on wanting to update to the latest build.
08-18-2021 08:04 AM
Hi Paul,
I have been using Windows 10 1809 for a day or so now and it is working fine. However, when I go to Windows Update there is a message saying I m using a version of Windows which is nearing the end of service. It suggests to update to the most recent version of Windows (which I think is 21H1! I don't want to do that because I will be back to square 1; no accounting program!
How do I get the 20h2 version of Windows 10? When I go to MIcrosoft Website it wants me to use the Download Tool and then it wants to install the latest version of Windows 10! Can I get an iso file version of 20h2?
08-18-2021 08:42 AM
Hi:
Here is the link to 20H2. Again, good for 24 hours and you run it from the Windows desktop like you did with 1809...