Bios for xw8400 Workstation

[Grandalf]

For nostalgic reasons and after upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 10 Pro (didn't think it would work but it did), I toodled over to the HP drivers area for a nosy.

I see that the latest available BIOS (02.38 Rev. A 2.9 MB Dec 8, 2010) is appearing in the Windows Vista area. My current BIOS is  Hewlett-Packard 786D5 v02.26, 21 Sep 07.

Two questions:

1. Do you see any point in updating my BIOS?
2.  If so, is it possible/advisable to update since the update is listed in the Vista area  and I'm now on W10 Pro?

[BeemerBiker]

Get the latest HP support assistant and see what it recommends
https://support.hp.com/us-en/help/hp-support-assistant

from release notes

ENHANCEMENTS:
No enhancements were added in BIOS version 02.38 or 02.37.

FIXES:
The following fix has been made in BIOS version 02.38:
- While the implications of the issue are difficult to quantify, Intel has
released a microcode update to resolve a problem when operating in 64-bit
mode.

The following fix was made in BIOS version 02.37:
- Corrects an issue, which was inadvertently introduced in BIOS v02.35, that
results in an error message in the Microsoft Windows Event Viewer system.

It is always dangerous to upgrade bios. as these users found out

but it looks like the update will be useful. 

try running the 64bit Vista version.  If it cannot update directly then create the CD version and install it by booting the CD or using F10 as explained in Bios_Flash.htm

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi, @Grandalf 

You do not need to actually run the BIOS update in Windows.

As a matter of fact, you don't even need to have a hard drive installed.

The easiest way to update the BIOS when you are running an unsupported operating system is to use the F10 Setup BIOS flashing method that is available for most HP business desktop PC's and workstations from that era.

Here's how to update the BIOS using the F10 Setup BIOS flashing method:

Get a USB flash drive.

Format it with the FAT32 file system.

Download and run the BIOS update file from your PC's support page.

HP xw8400 Workstation Software and Driver Details

An information page will open.

Follow the instructions under the F10 Setup BIOS flashing section.

At the bottom of that section, click on the blue View Contents of DOS Flash Folder link.

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

Restart the PC.

Immediately tap the F10 key to access the BIOS setup menu.

Select the File tab>Flash System ROM command.

Select the USB flash drive.

The PC will 'see' the BIOS update file on the flash drive.

Follow the on-screen instructions to update the BIOS and you should be prompted to restart the PC after the update is completed.

[Grandalf]

Mission complete. I don't know if I'll notice any benefit/s but it's worth knowing the PC is as up-to-date as it can be.

Thanks very much for your kind help.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.