Re: Complete Wipe and Reinstall of BIOS - OUTSIDE of Windows - HP Support Community

Redd678 · ‎06-04-2025

Hi all,

I need help.
My PC won't run.
Windows install keeps getting BlueScreen with a new errormessage.

I have individually tested every piece of hardware and have concluded that something is wrong with BIOS (perhaps Drivers?).

My question is this:
HOW do I reinstall BIOS without having an OS on the PC? OS Cannot be installed before BIOS is reinstalled.
I have create an USB to boot the BIOS from, but I cannot figure out how to run it.
I have found a few guides that point to an option in the BIOS menu, but it is simply not there on my PC.

Any inputs are appreciated!

NonSequitur777 · ‎06-04-2025

@Redd678,

Welcome to our HP Community forum!

Sorry to hear your Pavilion TG01-1000a won’t boot properly. Let’s walk through the BIOS recovery process step by step -even if Windows isn’t installed.

First, some context:

Your PC doesn’t need an operating system to reinstall or recover the BIOS -but the recovery must be triggered from hardware-level or pre-boot tools.

Here's what to do:

1. Prepare the USB BIOS Recovery Drive:

On another working PC, visit your model’s HP support page: HP Software & Driver Downloads
Download the latest BIOS F.38 Rev.A update (.exe) for your system.
Run the .exe — it will extract files and give you the option to create a BIOS recovery USB stick (usually using the HP BIOS Update utility).
Make sure the USB stick is formatted as FAT32.
Here is a very helpful instructional video what to do [watch this first!] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdb2e6hFl38&ab_channel=ElectronicsRepairSchool.

2. Trigger BIOS Recovery on the Problem PC:

Plug the USB stick into the target PC (your TG01-1000a).
With the system off, hold down the Windows key + B, then press and hold the Power button for about 2–3 seconds, and release the Power button while still holding Win + B for a few more seconds.
If successful, you’ll see the power light stay on, fans spin, and a BIOS recovery screen should appear. The system may beep.

⚠️If this fails, try again holding Windows key + V instead.

3. Follow On-Screen Instructions:

Once the recovery screen appears, the BIOS will attempt to reinstall itself from the USB drive. Follow the prompts, and do not interrupt the process.

If you don’t see the BIOS recovery screen after a few tries, double-check:

The USB stick is plugged into a rear USB 2.0 port
The recovery files were properly created using the HP BIOS utility

Let me know how it goes -I am here to assist you!

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

Redd678 · ‎06-07-2025

Hi NonSequitur777,

Thanks a lot! Greatly appreciate your input and support.

I am having trouble still, as the PC keeps rejecting the BOIS Recovery as Corrupt.
I have tried all versions of the BIOS update (3 available for download) and have tried all USB ports.
I have also tried 2 different USB sticks to be sure, however the first one is factory new.

I keep getting the message "The BIOS recovery files cannot be found or the files are corrupted."

Not sure what to do from here...

Appreciate any input 🙂

NonSequitur777 · ‎06-07-2025

@Redd678,

The issue likely lies with either the formatting of the USB, how the BIOS files are being written, or the UEFI BIOS recovery mechanism itself being particularly strict on file structure or versioning.

Thanks for your detailed update -and well done on trying multiple BIOS versions and USB sticks. That narrows down possible culprits.

Let’s try a few advanced steps that often resolve this exact “BIOS files cannot be found or are corrupted” message:

Step 1: Double-check USB Stick Formatting and File Placement:

Reformat the USB drive using FAT32, not exFAT or NTFS.
Use “Quick Format” in Windows but ensure FAT32 is selected.
After running the BIOS update .exe on a working PC:
- It should prompt to create a recovery USB drive. Let it do so — this places the right structure on the stick.
- If you already extracted manually, make sure the folder structure includes:
  
  \Hewlett-Packard\BIOS\ \Hewlett-Packard\BIOSUpdate\
  And inside these folders are .bin and .sig files.

If the BIOS update doesn’t offer to create the USB automatically:

Extract the files manually from the .exe using 7-Zip.
Place the .bin and .sig files in the correct folders as shown above.

Step 2: Rename BIOS Files (if needed):

Sometimes the recovery process expects a specific filename.

Use the HP BIOS recovery tool (in the BIOS .exe) to see what the correct recovery name is.
- It often creates something like HP_TOOLS on the USB and a file called BINxxx.bin
In rare cases, you need to rename the .bin file to something the firmware expects. This is model-specific, but sometimes:
- BIOS.BIN
- NEWBIOS.BIN
- Or the filename specified in the platform.ini file

Step 3: Try Creating a USB Stick Manually with HP BIOS Recovery Tool:

If the .exe didn’t offer the BIOS recovery tool option:

Download and install the HP System BIOS Update Utility on a working PC.
It may install a folder like:

C:\SWSetup\SPxxxxx
In there, find and run HPBIOSUPDREC.exe or CreateRecoveryUSB.exe and follow the prompts to prepare the USB.

Step 4: Alternative Key Combinations:

Since you've tried Win + B and Win + V, here's one more trick:

Power off completely (unplug the PSU for 1 minute).
Hold ESC + Power, then immediately press and hold Win + B once it powers on. (Rare, but may work on some models.)

Step 5: Try Another USB Port Type and Size:

Use a USB 2.0 port, preferably rear.
Use a USB stick smaller than 32GB (some firmware won’t read large sticks).
Avoid USB 3.0-only sticks — some have compatibility issues at firmware level.

Let me know which steps you’ve tried and what happens next -we’ll keep at it until it’s fixed.