Bios update failed - what should I do

[PapyPapy]

Hi,

I regularly check my HP support assistant for updates, and always update what it proposes.

Today it proposed "HP consumer desktop pc bios update (rom family ssid 82fd), softpaq no sp86700 version f.25".

I tried five times to install it, following all the instructions religiously, but each time the action log in HP Support Assistant  indicates "installation failed".

I eventually think I understood why. When  the "American Megatrends HP Bios Updates and Recovery " pop-up wizard (?) appears, the "update" option is whited out with a message " This is an older version of Bios which is not compatible with your system configuration".

Question 1: So why does my HP Support Assistant propose a Bios that is outdated and incompatible with my PC??

When I now check for available updates in HP support asistant, the Bios update no longer appears, even though the action log does not indicate a successful Bios update installation for today.

Question 2: Why ?

When I check for available Bios updates on the HP Customer support web site for my HP Envy All-in-one 27-b111nb (https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-envy-27-b100-all-in-one-desktop-pc-series/138235...), it proposes :

F.23 Rev.A

Operating systems:

Windows 10 (64-bit)

Release date:

Feb 1, 2018

File name:

sp85106.exe

(9.1 MB)

Description: This package provides an update to the HP consumer Desktop PC BIOS (ROM Family 82F3) for supported models running a supported operating system.

I checked my current Bios version in windows 10, and it is Ami F.20 2/11/2017.

According to the HP Customer Support product specifications page for my HP Envy All-in-one 27-b111nb (https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-envy-27-b100-all-in-one-desktop-pc-series/13823532/model/157... the Monza-U (Kabylake) motherboard ssid family is 8269. This is not the same family as the ssid family indicated in the HP drivers updates web page (86F3, see above).

Note that the action log of my HP Support Assistant also indicates that I had successfully installed a previous bios update on 22/12/2017.

Question 3: So, what shouId I do? Should I download and install the F23 rev A proposed by HP web site, even though the SSID family does not seem to match exactly with that of teh motherboard?  (I was following the HP bios update guidleines  at https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00007682)

All this uncertainty makes me nervous, I have no wish to ruin my Bios, so all help gratefully welcome!!!

Note also that, following the advice of a more experienced forum member, I don't update any drivers etc unless HP Support Assistant proposes them (ie I don't update via Windows or via internet searches).

PapyPapy

[cpa2222]

I have exactly the same problem.  Slightly different computer but very similar.  Since December, I have "bricked" 3 hp computers using the "non-support assistant" and its recommended BIOS updates.  Fortunately for us, the installer helped us on this one.  I have found more and more that the support assistant's purpose is to market HP accessories, "special friend" services, since their support is at least a level 1 and foreign.  Even had one disconnect the chat because I refused to pay a "special friend" for support when the problem was created by HP.

Unless your computer isnt working, i would avoid any HP suggested BIOS changes.

[PapyPapy]

Dear cpa2222,

Now I'm really scared, thanks for the warning! "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" sounds like good advice.

I'm curious to see if any official hp suport team member will comment.

PapyPapy

[PapyPapy]

For info, my HP support assistant every couple of weeks still wants me to update my BIOS with an older version than the one present (the same package indicated in my first post in this thread), and I ignore it.

Moreover it just suggested I update my Intel HD graphics driver with softpaq sp83890 version 22.20.16.4771. I obediently launched the download and installation, a separate installation wizard opened and started working ... and then it flagged up the fact that I was trying to install 2 drivers that were older versions than the ones already installed and "was I sure I wanted to continue?".  I answered no, and cancelled the installation. Note that I have not updated any drivers on my HP envy all-in-one 27 b111nb except via the HP support assistant.

Question: Why is the HP support assistant proposing updates to drivers and bios older than those it already installed? Presumably  it first scans what is already installed before proposing an update ...

I would be grateful if an official in-house HP software expert would provide an explanation.