Looking for older BIOS (MAN_A0.27) for HP 280 G2 MT

[mig180]

Hello everyone

after updating the BIOS of my HP 280 G2 MT to the version A0.58, the system won't recognize any SSD and as consequence, won't boot from any SSD.

Does anyone out there have a HP 280 G2 MT with a SSD as boot/system disk?

If so, would you be so kind to provide the corresponding BIOS image you are using (MAN_A0.27.bin)? Not sure, but A0.35 might work as well ...

Thanks a lot in advance

Miguel

[itsmyname]

@mig180 -- which manufacturer(s) of SSD devices have you tried?

When you enter BIOS SETUP, does the SSD show as a "detected" device?

Have you tried different SATA cables between the SSD and the motherboard?

[mig180]

Thanks for your reply ... I tried many different things, incl. replacing SATA cables. That's not the problem.

I had this already last year, when the PC's BIOS got upgraded to a version, which locked out SSD's.

Downgrading the BIOS to A0.27 solved it ... my problem now is, that I can't find the BIOS file MAN_A027.bin anymore.

[OldManBrian]

I have a very similar problem.  Working 280 G2 system with 2 SSDs - working fine.

Foolishly "tidied up" by reflashing to from A022 to A058 BIOS - will not boot.

When I detach the the SSD I added some months ago - boots fine.

So I too am looking for an older bios to flash - Did you find one.  Brian

[itsmyname]

@OldManBrian  & @mig180  -- When I look at: https://support.hp.com/in-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-280-g2-microtower-pc/8741823

I see: 

HP 280 G2 MT / HP 280 G2 Pro MT System BIOS Update
A0.58 Rev.A 8.9 MB Jun 6, 2021

Download: https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp113501-114000/sp113978.exe

I suppose that you can "tweak" that URL, for example, changing "sp113978" to "sp113977", and downloading via that link, and "unpacking" the download, to try to find a "README.txt" file, to see if the downloaded update is what you want.

Tedious, but it might be possible.

Or, if you acccess www.archive.org 

and search for: https://support.hp.com/in-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-280-g2-microtower-pc/8741823

the web-site should show you "snapshots" of that web-page, from previous dates & times.

Hopefully, there will be a hyperlink to a different BIOS update, at some past date.

>  will not boot

Can you enter BIOS SETUP, to check the list of "bootable" devices, to ensure that the list includes your SSD ?

[OldManBrian]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I have tried the archive using the "wayback machine" the specific pages don't seem to be archeved or well indexed.

Also I'm not sure the HP bios updater will let me load an older BIOS.

This is a very annoying problem - I'm cross with myself and HP.

I had this machine 280 G2 running fine with the HP shipped SSD as an operating system disk and a larver Samsung EVO for data - was running fine at BIOS level MAN A0.22 from 2016. I saw a BIOS ubdate the A058 one and thought I'd update it. (This was my mistake - if it ain't bust don't fix it !).  

So I flashed the new BIOS and the machine would do a POST and stop - could not boot to windows - or BIOS setup.

I googled issues and saw reference to changes made around A0.41 which caused problems with non HP "approved" SSDs.

Opened the box detached the Samsung SSD and Boots fine. Boots fine with a mechanical Hard disk attached - but not if the  Samsung SSD is plugged in. (HP supplied SSD  always attached) - tried each of the SATA connectors.

The Samsung SSD works perfectly in aa USN caddy and in other (non HP) machine.

It seems that HP have deliberately crippled the machine via the BIOS.

Anyway I'll either manage or try installing a SATA card in a spare PCI slot.

Thanks again for taking the time to look at my problem.   Brian

[OldManBrian]

Did you locate a copy of MAN A0.27 or similar BIOS ?

Regards Brian

[itsmyname]

@OldManBrian -- Opened the box detached the Samsung SSD and Boots fine. Boots fine with a mechanical Hard disk attached - but not if the  Samsung SSD is plugged in. 

That is good information, but quite a mystery why it happens.

If you have another working computer, download & install the free Macrium Reflect software.

Run the software to create a bootable version of this software onto DVD-recordable media.

Disconnect the current disk-drive from this computer.

Connect the SAMSUNG SSD.

Purchase and connect a non-SAMSUNG SSD.

Boot from that DVD media, and use it to "clone" everything from the SAMSUNG to the brand-new SSD.

Move the brand-new SSD back to your computer.

Hopefully, your computer will boot normally.

Or, as a modification to the above steps:

* purchase a new non-SAMSUNG SSD

* disconnect the SAMSUNG SSD from your comptuer

* connect the new, "empty" and "non-initialized" SSD to your computer

Will your computer boot with the non-SAMSUNG SSD attached ?

If so, follow the first group of steps.

If not, then my guess is that you should purchase a HP-branded SSD.

[OldManBrian]

Problem worked round - if not exactly resolved.

Bought a cheap (about £GB 13) PCI SATA controller.  Installed controller and it worked first time with the samsung SSD attached.

So I am OK - still puzzled but OK.

Regards  Brian