HP Image Assistant installing BIOS updates when /category: drivers, software specified.

[stng]

We are seeing some complaints that bios updates were installing when HPIA is running with the parameter /category:Drivers,software.  I am stumped as to why this would happen, any ideas what is wrong? This has gone out to 2000+  device, and it doesn't happen to all devices. 

This is the command line with the parameters

HPImageAssistant.exe\Operation:Analyze \Action:Install \Selection:All \Silent \Category:Drivers,Software \ReportFolder:C:\WINDOWS\Temp\HPIALogs

\SoftpaqDownloadFolder:C:\WINDOWS\Temp\HPDrivers

[Dragon-Fur]

@stng 

Welcome to the HP User Community.

BIOS is a driver update in Drivers and Software.

If the BIOS needs to be updated and the selection is All, perhaps it makes sense that the BIOS would update.

Doesn't sound right...

HPIA User Guide

Chapter 6 - Starting on Page 20

The good news:

The HPIA can handle BIOS updates including a silent install parameter, even when the BIOS update is stacked with one or more other "regular" updates.

If the problem is that the BIOS is updating when the BIOS version on the system is not showing the need update, there might be something else going on that is not directly related to HPIA.

If the problem is that the BIOS update is failing on some systems, that too, is usually not directly related to HPIA. That said, any BIOS update can be risky - unattended BIOS updates might be "more so".

IF the user is using the computer when the BIOS update hits the system, this could be hard on the update (and the user, for that matter).

References

HP Image Assistant is a free tool that aids IT Administrators improve the quality and security of their PC Windows image by diagnosing the image, identifying problems, recommending solutions, and analyzing their PC’s readiness for migration between Windows 7 and Windows 10.

HP Image Assistant can be downloaded at the HP Manageability website.

HP Image Assistant (HPIA)

From the Image Assistant Web page:

• HPIA User Guide
• HPIA Supported Platforms

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Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.

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Question / Concern Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"

[stng]

Thank you for the response,  I am aware of the /category:All which would include all, bios, firmware, driver etc and that is why I am at a lost as to why some devices are attempting to install bios updates.  We noticed the attempts because the device that are affected bring up a prompt for bios password, plus the readme.html generated from HPImageAssistant.exe show that the bios updates have downloaded and installed.    

Seems to be happening mostly with HP EliteDesk 800 G3 SFF.  Other device models are bypassing the bios update check.  

[Dragon-Fur]

@stng 

I am missing whatever is going on.

Coincidentally, there is a new BIOS update for HP EliteDesk 800 G3 Small Form Factor PC 

HP EliteDesk 800 G3 System BIOS (P01) 

Release Date 29-Apr-2022

Version 00.02.40 Rev.A

The update is marked Critical and the Category noted in the CVA / html file is correct.

The previous update was marked Critical -

Version 00.02.39 REV: A PASS: 1 was released some time ago:  December 17, 2021

https://ftp.ext.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp136501-137000/sp136503.html

I don't know - it does not seem like a Critical update would install without specific direction to do so.

An "off thought" - not likely something you'd have missed:

If you have the HP Support Assistant installed and active (auto-updates set ON), the HPSA might sneak in and update the BIOS without any regard to what the HPIA (or anything else) is doing.   HPSA should be uninstalled or at least inactive on an IT managed network.  True, the HPSA cannot have been installed unattended / silent, though it could have been installed locally (by an admin) and set loose on the system for some reason.  ??

A quick check of the recent Bulletins does not show anything recent enough to have boiled over into this area.  The usually security vulnerabilities are mentioned - most recent bulletins Bulletins and Notices 

The only thing I can think of right now is buggy HPIA - make sure you are running the latest version, of course

OR

Perhaps another critical update needed that BIOS update and commandeered the process.

Yeah, No.  Should not happen.  Giant breach of control.  Reaching far out into the lake for that one...

Meh.

I am sorry I am not adding anything useful - I was curious and jumped into the fray.

Still thinking...

Thank you for participating in the HP Community.

Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.

Click Helpful = Yes to say Thank You

Question / Concern Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"

[stng]

We eventually figured it out the bios updates were automatically delivered from Windows Updates.  We switched from WSUS to WuFB for patching  recently .  That took us for a ride.  Thanks Dragon-Fur for you responses.