Upgrading BIOS outside of Windows

[techie6]

I’m trying to upgrade the BIOS outside of Windows but haven’t been able to. I downloaded the latest BIOS update file from HP Support. Computer doesn’t have an OS installed so I’m trying to do it from outside of Windows. Tried Windows PE via bootable USB with update files attached to the USB. But when I try to run the .EXE, nothing happens. It doesn’t run the update utility program.

Is there another way to accomplish this without having to install Windows? I know running the BIOS update from within Windows is the easiest and most straight forward way but again, this computer doesn’t have an OS installed. Ultimately I will be installing Unraid on it but the problem is Unraid can only run from a USB and so far none of the USB installations of Unraid will run as bootable. 

Which is weird because I’m able to get Windows PE and TrueNAS to run as bootable USBs. So I’m thinking a BIOS update can help. Also because lately for some reason the BIOS has been acting weird. Won’t detect some USBs but will detect others. Same for bootable discs like Linux or Clonezilla.

Heard that FreeDOS could be a solution for what I’m trying to do???

[BeemerBiker]

Use the free dos upgrade app

Download and install rufus and format for freedos as shown.below

bios is here the "associated files" are just a list of the different system the bios update work on.  

All you need is the freedos application.

Note:  I ran across the problem long ago. The windows app to update bios requires Visual C runtimes and all types of updates that can take hours to download if you start with a bare windows system. 

The bios update is mainly a security feature.  I suspect there is another problem with your Unraid. 

I suspect the flash needs to be formatted MBR and FAT  as I show in that image.  Possibly neither NTFS nor exFAT will boot from USB flash.  i have had problems using CD or DVD in a USB adapter.  USB2 does not always provide enough current (0.5 amp) to spin the DVD.  Internal DVD drive should be OK but older systems can be full of dust causing reading problems.  I do not think the problem is the bios.

copy the executable bios to the flash drive after formatting the USB.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, @techie6 

A much easier thing to do is to use the BIOS setup flash method to update the BIOS.

Get another PC running Windows.

Run the BIOS update file v1.14 (sp73578).

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp73501-74000/sp73578.exe 

An info page will open.

Read and follow the instructions under this section...

                                                 F10 Setup BIOS Flashing

The HP Business Desktop system supported by this softpaq provides a BIOS upgrade option through F10 setup using the "Flash System ROM" feature.  Reboot the PC and press F10 to enter setup.  In the File menu, select the "Flash System ROM" item.  This flash utility will present the user with the option to select the media containing the BIOS image file (XXX_MMmm.bin).  The binary image file is contained in the DOS Flash directory and is named XXX_MMmm.bin where "XXX" is the abbreviated BIOS family, "MM" is the major version number, and "mm" is the minor version number.  F10 ROM based flash can accept the binary file from the root directory of any removable media such as USB or legacy floppy diskette.  The user is prompted when the process is completed.  The new BIOS code will not take effect until the PC is rebooted.

View Contents of DOS Flash Folder

What you do is this...

Get a USB flash drive.

Format it with the FAT32 file system.

On the info page that is open click on the View Contents of DOS Flash Folder.

Copy all of the files in that folder to your USB flash drive.   Just the files, not the folder.

Plug the flash drive into your 8000 Elite.

Turn it on and press the F10 key to get into the BIOS.

Select the File tab>Flash System ROM command.

Select the USB flash drive.

The PC should 'see' the files on the flash drive.

Follow the on-screen instructions to update the BIOS.