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HP Recommended
Microsoft Windows 11

Hi, After executing a "Firmware Upgrade" listed in Microsoft's list of "additional updates for your device", hoping it would potentially correct a periodic lockup problem I was having that day (a mistake I know, I should have done more research on the original problem first), and the resulting BIOS update ran to completion, I have not been able to successfully restart my HP Slim Desktop (the power goes on for about 15 seconds, nothing shows on the screen, and the PC powers off with no other indicators, no beeps, no errors on the screen- nothing, and this is repeated if tried again). After reviewing various HP recovery docs, including trying a recovery flashdrive I had per one of the docs along with a process involving holding down certain key combinations at power on, which failed, I also tried procedures involving removing the battery to clear CMOS, holding the power down for a certain number of seconds etc. with the only new result being the power stays on but still screen blank and no errors, nor beeps etc. It seems I've likely corrupted the BIOS or CMOS and have no way to recover to PC. The PC has Windows 11 Pro on it (I upgraded from Windows 10 which the PC came with and I do realize HP may not officially support Windows 11 on this PC). If anyone has any ideas on how I might recover the PC, even it means I may lose the data on it (but I don't believe the disks are corrupted), I'd very much appreciate it. Following are the PC specs, although note this is a system info from when the PC was on Windows 10:

System Manufacturer HP
System Model HP Slim Desktop S01-pF1xxx
System Type x64-based PC
System SKU 3UR15AA#ABA
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-10100 CPU @ 3.60GHz, 3600 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 8 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date AMI F.31, 3/9/2022
SMBIOS Version 3.2
Embedded Controller Version 89.19
BIOS Mode UEFI
BaseBoard Manufacturer HP
BaseBoard Product 8768
BaseBoard Version A (SMVB)
Platform Role Desktop
Secure Boot State On

Thanks,
--Brian

7 REPLIES 7
HP Recommended

Hi @netbrian 

 

Welcome to the HP Forum.

 

I would try making a USB BIOS recovery flash drive on a different PC again. Use the BIOS file at this Link. Your PC was DOA when you tried a BIOS recovery the first time. But now the PC has some signs of life.

 

Watch this HP video for more information on the USB BIOS recovery procedure.

 

Since your PC is locking up you might want to check the hardware if you can recover the BIOS.

 

Check your PC's hardware as follows:

Start the PC. Repeatedly tap the "ESC" key.

Select "F2". Run system and component tests. Run extensive tests.

 

Then, if you can recover the BIOS and run Windows, do the following to stop HP Firmware updates via Windows Update:

 

Enter Advanced System Settings in Search.

Select the appropriate search result.

Select the Hardware tab within the System Properties dialog box.

Select Device Installation Settings. Select No. Save changes.

Select Apply then OK.

 

Regards

HP Recommended

Hi Bill_To,  Thank you for your quick response.   I'll definitely try your suggestions, and if I can get the PC back up, will definitely set Windows Update so I don't get future temptations from Microsoft suggested "HP" firmware updates from Microsoft.  One other oddity I forgot to mention in my original post, is when the PC is powered on and within 15 seconds powers itself down, it will keep doing that (i.e. power itself up and then down 15 secs later) until I unplug it. 

 

My suspicion is that the BIOS firmware that got installed is completely incompatible with the PC, causing it cease/powerDown 15 secs after power up (I fear the boot is never even getting to recognizing a HDMI or VGA connected display nor USB ports which are required for keyboard and flashdrive, even when I clear CMOS by removing battery for 30 seconds,  and other clearing methods (AC unplugging, holding power button, etc) which results in PC power staying on, I still get no display nor keyboard response and when I give and turn power off again, the PC goes back to the immediate 15sec power itself down and then back up repeatedly until I unplug it.   But I'm going to give the recovery processes another try, and will let you know - Thanks, Brian.

HP Recommended

Hi @netbrian 

 

My pleasure.

 

Do what you have to do, if possible, to get the PC to not power cycle. Then try the USB recovery procedure when you think the PC will not power cycle..

 

A hardware problem usually causes power cycling. It could be any component down to the power supply.

 

So you may have more than one problem to solve.

 

Let the Forum know how it goes.

 

Regards

HP Recommended

Hi, retried with newly created recovery flashdrive; results were the same: After I clear CMOS, PC will stay powered up with CMOS battery removed, which I believe means the default settings are keeping the power on, but no display signal, nor keyboard response, nor is there any indication the recovery flashdrive is being read (i.e. <Esc> does nothing and no light shows on flashdrive). And, same as before, once I try this and CMOS is no longer cleared, any future power up will trigger constant power cycling every 15 secs.

 

Note also I have tried different displays, different display interfaces (HDMI and VGA), eliminating any cable, display, display interface problem (adapter card I suppose could still be an issue, but I'm thinking unlikely). I also noticed the CD drive does appear operational as it appears to attempt to read CDs, but these PCs do not come with a recovery CD (and my attempt to use a CD with the recovery flashdrive's files was not productive).

 

Not knowing that much about how UEFI plays into this, I'm left with a suspicion that the default BIOS being loaded from the motherboard is not compatible with the display nor keyboard. I believe I need to get the PC to power up into a default BIOS that handles display and keyboard, but I don't know how to make that happen.

 

I'd certainly welcome any other ideas.

 

-Thanks

HP Recommended

Hi @netbrian 

 

My pleasure.

 

Wow, the BIOS is really messed up.

 

The only other thing I can think of is to have a local PC Tech use a Serial ISP Programmer to attempt a flash of the BIOS chip on your MB. This flashing procedure is done directly to the BIOS chip installed in your PC's MB when the PC is completely bricked.

 

The Tech could use the BIOS update file you had previously downloaded.

 

It would probably be good to backup data on the existing system drive. Then do a clean Windows installation on the system drive.

 

It looks like your PC qualifies for a HP Cloud Recovery once your sort out the BIOS problem and any other hardware problems your PC  may have. So you also have a HP Cloud Recovery option if desired.

 

Doing a clean Windows installation or a HP Cloud Recovery will get rid of the faulty BIOS: .bin files and .sig files located in the EFI System Partition on the current Windows installation.

 

The faulty BIOS update will install again if you don't clean the current system drive or edit the EFI System Partition to remove the current HP BIOS: .bin files and .sig files.

 

Regards

 

 

HP Recommended

HI Bill_To,    I'll certainly consider a Serial ISP Programmer solution.  And, good point regarding the EFI system partition.  Thank you for all your suggestions, and ideas for possible solutions.

HP Recommended

Hi @netbrian 

 

My pleasure.

 

Regards

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