Defective BIOS?

[yaudette]

Hi,

here is my problem. I have a HP Envy 700-019 that used to work just fine and I would like to keep using it. However, it looks like the BIOS is defective. Let me explain. When I power on the computer, it starts but quickly it shuts down then restarts by itself, then shuts down again and restart again, but this time for good but I can see on the screen the message telling me that the system is using default BIOS settings. Windows starts normally and I can use the computer without any problem unless it falls into sleep mode. To get back to life, basically the same process happens again as if I was powering up the computer.

I have tried different suggestions found on the web about BIOS problems with no luck.

Someone has a suggestion?

[Bill_To]

HI @yaudette 

I can't say for sure what is happening but you might try replacing the CR2032 MB battery. Is your system clock also out of sync?

An inexpensive and quick troubleshooting step. It sounds like the BIOS is resetting to defaults due to loss of backup power from this battery.

The battery is located near the two bottom PCIe x1 slots on the following MB image:

Regards

[yaudette]

Hi Bill,

thanks for your reply but I had tried this already.

Once the computer manages to boot to Windows, everything is fine including the clock.

Another attempt I had made is to obtain from HP a BIOS update, which was the same version 80.24 but different date. The execution appeared to go well. At the end, I was informed that a restart was required in order for the updated BIOS to be used. I waited thinking that the system would restart by itself but it did not happen. So, after several minutes, I have restarted the computer manually. The date was not modified and the problem was present still.

Regards

[Bill_To · Accepted solution]

Hi @yaudette 

My pleasure.

The PC is about 10 years old. I can only guess you have a developing hardware problem.

Maybe a local PC tech can replace and reprogram the BIOS chip.

Regards

[yaudette]

Hi Bill,

I know that the PC is not young. It is not my day-to-day computer but I use it occasionally. I was curious to see if someone could come up with a different diagnostic than the one I had reached, which is the BIOS chip has been damaged. In the early days of PC, you could order a new BIOS chip to replace the defective one. But nowadays, everything has been miniaturized and everything is soldered to the motherboard.

For your info, I have an older machine (ASUS P5B mb) with dual boot to use with XP and 7 for certain apps, which cannot execute under newer CPU/OS.

Again, thanks Bill for your support.

[Bill_To]

Hi @yaudette 

My pleasure.

Thank you even though we could not solve the problem unless you replace hardware.

Regards