BIOS update

[Lue2017]

This desktop is 4 years old. It had Windows 8.1 installed upon delivery. I updated it to Windows 10. According to a computer tech person here, there is a BIOS update but cannot be installed because it is "not compatible" with the Windows 10 version running. Is there a way around this? Can I update the BIOS?

Current BIOS is: BIOS Version/Date AMI 80.12, 2/19/2014 - SMBIOS Version 2.7

Current Windows is: Version 10.0.17134 Build 17134

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

Here's the problem...

The person that gave you that information is correct.

The BIOS update files were written to work when running W8 or W8.1.

ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp70001-70500/sp70492.html

80.15 is the latest release and HP indicates that it is critical, so I can see your wanting to update the BIOS is relevant.

For any of us to tell you that it is perfectly OK to run that BIOS update when running on W10, would be a disservice to you.

So, here are your options...

Reinstall W8.1 and safely update the BIOS, then reinstall W10.

Ignore the advice to not update the BIOS when running W10, and take your chances.

Leave it be.

The BIOS update may very well run successfully in W10, but if it doesn't, you will then have a dead and irrecoverable PC.

I wouldn't be so concerned if we were dealing with hardware drivers here, where if something goes wrong, worst case scenario is you reinstall Windows, but we are dealing with the life or death of your PC.

If the BIOS update goes wrong, there are no do-overs.

[Lue2017]

Nice to "hear" from you again, Paul. You helped in the fall with a sound issue. Thank you for your response and detailed information. Since I took advantage of the W10 free upgrade, how would I reinstall it if I returned to W8.1? Secondly, can I return to W8.1 through the update and security area? These days no one sends discs when you buy a computer. At least not with this HP.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

If you never clean installed W10 before, you may still be able to use the HP recovery manager to reinstall W8.1.

See this guide...

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00006110

If that is successful, you can then update the BIOS, then upgrade back to W10 for free, by clicking on the Update Now button at the link below.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

If you are unable to install W8.1 using the HP recovery manager system, and still want to proceed to safely update the BIOS, then your only option would be to order recovery media for your model from HP at the link below...

https://support.hp.com/us-en/mediaorder/HP-ENVY-Recline-27-k100-TouchSmart-All-in-One-Desktop-PC-ser...

[Lue2017]

Thank you. Issue solved.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.

[normalguy]

Hello, my name is Juan and I have precisely the same concern as you. How did you finally solve your issue, did you install Windows 8.1 and then reinstall Windows 10? The problem I have is that the computer refuses to recognize the HDMI connection, that I need to extend to another monitor. Can you offer any help?

Thanks.

[normalguy]

Hello, my name is Juan and I have precisely the same concern as you. How did you finally solve your issue, did you install Windows 8.1 and then reinstall Windows 10? The problem I have is that the computer refuses to recognize the HDMI connection, that I need to extend to another monitor. Can you offer any help?

[Lue2017]

Juan, I didn't resolve it. Decided all the work wasn't worth it and the computer was 4 years old. Also found that some trading software my husband uses needed more RAM now, so we have a new HP product.