HP Pavilion does not reach BIOS after Windows Update

[dj157]

I updated the "HP Firmware" for my HP Pavilion 690-0020 from the Windows 10 Update application last week. There were no error messages. Upon reboot the computer does not, from my understanding, manage to reach the bios. It simply displays a black/ blank screen, flashes it's green LED on the power button, and beeps error codes. No Windows loading indicator or bios prompts. I have looked at error codes online and cannot find a match, and HP's diagnostics for LEDs don't seem to match my model. I would greatly appreciate expert advice and help. Thank you in advance.

[BeemerBiker]

Item 3 "key press" is best bet

https://support.hp.com/lt-en/document/ish_3932413-2337994-16#:~:text=on%20the%20notebook.-,Press%20a....

[dj157]

Just tried it. Both the Windows key and B and V combinations with the power button for 2-3 seconds. Both combinations resulted in blank/ black screen, no bios message, and no bios restore message. 

[BeemerBiker]

You have the sunflower motherboard.  There is (possibly) a rom recovery option

Note that on this version the rom recovery pins (header) are missing.  Even with the pins missing it may be possible to program the bios.  Please contact HP support and see if they can re-flash the bios or advice who can.  Post back here what they advise.  call and get an estimate

https://www.hp.com/us-en/contact-hp/ww-contact-us.html

[dj157]

Called support, they said cannot diagnose further over the phone, that they need me to send in the pc. Will send box, perform motherboard replacement, and send back. Based upon my location the total cost is $506.05 (and I live near Silicon Valley). Takes 15 days to recieve back once sent in mail. I was told that contacting Microsoft or a local repair place are options as well.

[BeemerBiker]

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@dj157 wrote:

Called support, they said cannot diagnose further over the phone, that they need me to send in the pc. Will send box, perform motherboard replacement, and send back. Based upon my location the total cost is $506.05 (and I live near Silicon Valley). Takes 15 days to recieve back once sent in mail. I was told that contacting Microsoft or a local repair place are options as well.

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Possibly some local shops may have the tools and skills

Looking at used motherboards the sunflower's start at $90.  If you decide to DIY be sure to get a used one (working pull) that is working  and not a new or open box as it may be missing product codes and serial number.

Alternately, the following might be interesting. I have flash a number of roms but the motherboards all had socketed rom easy to pull out and program

In-place rom tools for your consideration and I cannot help

spi programming

https://jensd.be/980/linux/bios-or-spi-programming-on-windows-or-linux-using-a-ch341a

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qX2zihB6UE

https://www.tachytelic.net/2022/01/hp-compaq-8300-nvme/

https://elmorlabs.com/forum/topic/spi-header-pinouts/

https://github.com/mostav02/me_cleaner_wiki/blob/master/me_cleaner-on-a-MSI-H110M-ECO.md

[dj157]

I can DIY swap motherboards. But I don't know how to flash bios. I would have to buy more components and learn how to flash bios. Thank you for the links.

I found a similar thread with users solving the issue, however they do not state their steps and the thread is locked:

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Gaming-Notebooks/HP-Omen-15-black-screen-after-BIOS-update/td-p/836881...

Unsure how to proceed.

[BeemerBiker]

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@dj157 wrote:

I can DIY swap motherboards. But I don't know how to flash bios. I would have to buy more components and learn how to flash bios. Thank you for the links.

I found a similar thread with users solving the issue, however they do not state their steps and the thread is locked:

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Gaming-Notebooks/HP-Omen-15-black-screen-after-BIOS-update/td-p/836881...

Unsure how to proceed.

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The laptop in the thread was not displaying anything on the built in monitor but connecting an external monitor allowed them to see the system was actually running.

From what I read it seem their problem was the update caused the laptop display not to work.  Their bios was not actually corrupted.

If you press the CAPS LOCK key  reputedly does a light on the keyboard turn on and off?

Even it nothing happens you might try item 4 "using usb recover" below anyway

https://support.hp.com/lt-en/document/ish_3932413-2337994-16#:~:text=on%20the%20notebook.-,Press%20a...

[dj157]

Okay, I understand the difference between the threads.

Caps lock key presses do not return any LED lights.

I tried the bios usb step in your link, and created the bootable usb. The instructions require the Windows key and B or V key presses to work. They do not in my case. I cannot select any specfic device to boot from as I have no bios. Unplugging all other drives and leaving just the usb results in same output. Beeping, no bios, and a flashing green LED power button.