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- Can I update the BIOS of this Pavilion P6-2271eo?

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02-25-2024 01:09 AM - edited 02-25-2024 04:57 AM
I have this HP Pavilion P6 with an i5 3450, 8GB 1600Mhz, a GT 630 2GB and Joshua H61 uATX is the motherboard (from the Foxconn 2ADA family) . I would want to make this HP more powerful by adding 16Gb RAM and a better GPU. A 750Ti or a 1050 would be the best I thought, but the problem is that I looked up on whole other sites and subjects about this possible upgrade and I saw that I can't upgrade the GPU because of the BIOS? The BIOS of this one is a Legacy Version and the Graphics Card from nVidia were upgraded to UEFI BIOS after the 700 generation (I also have a 300w only PSU and without any power connector for any gpu, so I'm also kinda limited, and the PCI express is only 2.0). But is there a way I could update the BIOS to a UEFI version, or doesn't exist, so I'm kinda limited? If not, will a gtx 750ti at least work? If not, what graphics card should I get? (Maximum 80W TDP and no additional power connectors)? I'm pretty new in this industry so clearly I'm in need of help in situations like these, so every reply would help! Thank you!
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02-25-2024 05:40 AM
I found a new BIOS for that PC
It is says Improved security of UEFI code, it has a 8.20 version, which means it will allow the newer Graphics cards IE: NVidia 750 or 1050 cards. There is a small problem - it is made to run on Windows 8.
That PC must be from the time of transition from Windows 7 to Windows 8, since there are both options in the drivers area.
If that BIOS will install, then you should be able to find a NVidia GT 750 or NVidia GT 1050 that can run with the 300w power supply. Check on the cards you can find and what is needed. Many units were sold that used a version of either of those cards with only a 300w supply.
I'm not an HP employee.
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02-25-2024 05:40 AM
I found a new BIOS for that PC
It is says Improved security of UEFI code, it has a 8.20 version, which means it will allow the newer Graphics cards IE: NVidia 750 or 1050 cards. There is a small problem - it is made to run on Windows 8.
That PC must be from the time of transition from Windows 7 to Windows 8, since there are both options in the drivers area.
If that BIOS will install, then you should be able to find a NVidia GT 750 or NVidia GT 1050 that can run with the 300w power supply. Check on the cards you can find and what is needed. Many units were sold that used a version of either of those cards with only a 300w supply.
I'm not an HP employee.
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02-25-2024 05:47 AM
The HP Pavilion P6 I have was released back in July or August 2012 and Windows 8 hasn't released yet, so I'm not sure if it will work and I don't know if it's ok to try. I mean I hope I'll not brick my motherboard trying to make an update which I don't know if it's stable for this Joshua H61. I'll look onto it for a little bit and then maybe I'll try. If I try and it will work I'll your reply as a solution to this. Thank You!
02-25-2024 06:14 AM
We have a big problem. I looked onto other posts and some had this bios update installed on the same mobo. When I entered the setup, I accepted the agreements and then it instantly went into cmd without making sure I eould want to update. My mouse wasn't working anymore (due tot update I think) so I couldn't do anything anymore. It made the thing I hoped wouldn't happen: erase and flash the old version, of course! It updated it and automatically restarted. Now every time it powers up right before giving signal on the monitor it SHUTS DOWN, powers up again, shuts down again right before giving signal and it is an infinite cycle of this. Now any other option I could do? Get an USB and try to put the old version (7.12 if my memory is correct)? Will it be dead from now? I just shut down my outlet so it could shut down...
02-26-2024 05:20 AM
I should have warned you in advance. Updating the BIOS in any situation can be a risk. However, there is a thread here that it was successful. Different PC model but same motherboard. There is an older version but still in the 8.17 version. there is also a BIOS recovery procedure, but you need the original BIOS to run it.
I have not found any posts with the older BIOS, all I found was ones doing what you wanted and ended up being successful.
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02-26-2024 05:45 AM
Hello. There is pretty much my fault there, I've already known that it's really risky and logic ehy it's risky; the problem is that I didn't knew it will do the BIOS right trought Windows, trough CMD. I thiught it will a special file and will need to go over the BIOS and flash the old and put the new one right there. In this case, I would've taken more time and find something for the motherboard to do before thay, because now the BIOS now is like: "Nah I'm a legacy but I don't have my blood type "legacy" in there. You gave me UEFI and now I'll die.". In this case I think my mobo is bricked, because it doesnt't even give signal or see the HP boot up image and it shuts down, then turns on again and does the same thing every time, it's an endless cycle. But I will try and do something when I go back to village, because the PC is right there. In my opinion, 1% of the fault is also for HP, due to no warnings before installing (except the little description that says it's a critical process or something, and the bios updates right there, combined with windows 7 and windows 8, it's pretty weird. Thanks for comprehension
02-26-2024 05:59 AM
Yes I understand. Most always the update does not happen the way you have described but in the way you expected.
I have not seen one that open a command window to run the update. And it should have worked.
Sorry
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02-26-2024 08:28 AM - edited 02-26-2024 08:38 AM
Hello Sir. After the little replies we had a while ago, I've decided to call my parents and tell them to plug the computer in the outlet again and give it another try. This time, guess what, it worked! They've recorded the screen for me and I saw the hp Boot Startup being a little different than it was, then the motherboard gave the me the message in the photo I attached. Looks like it loaded the basic BIOS settings and restarted again (without forcly shutting down) and booted right into Windows! I told to go into System Information and see if it really loaded tha BIOS version and clearly did! (8.20 Rev. A). The boot mode is still Legacy, so that means that I still can't put a Higher GPU than the 600th Series, right? But the most important thing is that the PC works, and I have a kind of UEFI version on this ''Legacy'' motherboard, so I want to thank you for your help and hope the answer to the GPU question will be an affirmative one! No matter what now, I will mark your comment as a solution for this.
02-26-2024 12:14 PM - edited 02-26-2024 12:17 PM
Yes that shows the new BIOS updated properly. It will allow the graphics card choice you had hoped for,(assuming you do not exceed the 300w powers upply) it just needs to be changed to UEFI from inside the BIOS.
In order to change it from Legacy to Secure (UEFI) start tapping the Esc key before the start button is pressed, then kep tapping the Ecs key until a pop-up menu appears. Then pick F10. The System Configuration.. Then there should be a Boot Options category. Click on that option while in the System Configuration tab. As you look down the list, you will see the Legacy option and then under that is the Secure Boot. Click on Secure boot and then Enable. Press Ecs and the F10 to save the setting and then reboot. Repeat the Esc tapping on boot-up and then F10 again, you should then seen the Secure Boot is enabled.
BTW: I did watch the video , the boot up looks normal.
I'm not an HP employee.
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