Bios BIN to choose for the HP 15-ay102nf

[AncientRocks78]

Hi there, i have this laptop:

HP Notebook 15-ay102nf

[personal info removed]

Z3F06EA#ABF

During the bios update, it stayed on black screen, and it stays now on boot loop!

From my previous Speccy system reports it shows HP 81EE (U3E1)

The bios setup instead shows motherboard 81EE

Now if I want to reflash the bios chip, what bin file should i use? The extracted F.49 Rev.A sp105965.exe bios software file, when i selected copy during the process, ended up with 5 bin files and 5 s12 files as well:

081EC.bin

081ED.bin

081EF.bin

081F2.bin

081F3.bin

What bin file should i use to reflash the board with a programmer, because the recovery bios process doesn’t helped me to fix the problem?

Thanks

[Raj_05]

Hi @AncientRocks78,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

To recover or reflash the BIOS for your HP 15-ay102nf (Z3F06EA#ABF), it's essential to use the correct .bin file for the specific motherboard variant. Based on the details you provided, here's how you can determine the correct file.

Verify Motherboard Variant:
Your Speccy report and BIOS setup indicate the motherboard identifier is 81EE. The extracted .bin files from the BIOS update package are tied to specific motherboard variants. For example:

• 081EC.bin
• 081ED.bin
• 081EF.bin
• 081F2.bin
• 081F3.bin

Match the Current BIOS Region or SKU:
The suffix in the .bin file name (like C, D, F, 2, 3) often corresponds to different regions, configurations, or SKUs. For example:

• The C file may correspond to consumer laptops for one region.
• The D file may correspond to a variant with different configurations.

Test Each File (if unsure):
If you are unable to determine the exact match, you can test by flashing one file at a time using your BIOS programmer. Start with the most likely .bin file based on your region and model (e.g., 081EC.bin).

Backup the Current Chip Contents:
Before flashing, use your programmer to backup the current BIOS chip contents in case recovery becomes necessary.

Flash the BIOS Using a Programmer:
Use a hardware programmer like a CH341A to reflash the BIOS chip:

• Connect the programmer and chip properly.
• Select the .bin file for flashing.
• Verify the flash after writing to ensure integrity.

Post-Flash Procedure:
After flashing, perform these steps:

• Reassemble the laptop.
• Reset the CMOS battery (if needed).
• Power on the laptop and check if the boot issue is resolved.

Recommendation:

Start with 081EC.bin, as it is often the default file for the majority of laptops in this series. If it doesn't work, proceed to test the others in order.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Raj_05

HP Support 

[AncientRocks78]

Hi and thank you very much for your reply Mr @Raj_05!

Please, in order to know more, so i can be sure that the right bios file is the correct one for this motherboard, is there a way to after backing up the original bios, to check it’s name inside it by searching with a hex editor?

Like bios version and name, so i can try to flash with the same one for example?

If it’s there a way to do that, I’ll be very comfortable doing it, otherwise I’ll try them one after one until the matched bios solve the problem.
Thank you Mr @Raj_05 again.

[Raj_05 · Accepted solution]

Hi @AncientRocks78,

Thank you for your response, 

Yes, you can indeed use a hex editor to inspect the BIOS file for specific information, such as the version or name, which can help ensure that you're flashing with the correct version.

Here's how you can check the BIOS version and details using a hex editor.

Back Up Your BIOS: Make sure to create a backup of your current BIOS file before proceeding.

Open the BIOS File in a Hex Editor: Use a hex editor like HxD or similar to open the BIOS file.

Search for Version Information: Typically, BIOS files contain version strings or identifiers. You can search for keywords like:

• Version
• Release
• The motherboard model or manufacturer name
• Any specific strings related to the BIOS version

Verify the Contents: Once you find the relevant information, verify that it matches your motherboard model and version.

If you’re able to find version information within the file using a hex editor, it will help confirm the correct BIOS for flashing.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Raj_05

HP Support 

[AncientRocks78]

One more question please, no matter what bios version i flash with, like possible downgrade, it is not a problem doing it? Thank you Mr @Raj_05!

[AncientRocks78]

Mr @Raj_05,

I’ve searched online for how to find what bios version from dump, and found BID is the key of that search! Doing it after successfully dumped the bios file, i’ve found the following:

BID081ED

Now, knowing that i have a 081ED board, can i flash with downgraded bios version please?

Thank you again, for your help!

[AncientRocks78]

Please where i can click on like button?

[Raj_05]

Hi @AncientRocks78,

Thank you for your response, 

When it comes to flashing BIOS, downgrading or flashing different versions isn't always without risks, and it’s essential to proceed carefully, especially if your motherboard has certain restrictions or checks in place.

Risks of Downgrading BIOS:

1. Bricking the Motherboard: If the BIOS downgrade isn't compatible with your current hardware or setup, it may render your system unbootable.
2. Firmware Corruption: If the downgrade process fails (e.g., power outage, incorrect file), it may corrupt the BIOS, and you might need to perform a recovery procedure (if supported).
3. Loss of Features: Newer BIOS versions often fix bugs or add compatibility for new hardware, so downgrading might cause you to lose features or support for newer devices.

Cross-verify Model and Version:

• Use a reliable tool like CPU-Z to identify your motherboard model and compare it with the version and features of the BIOS you're attempting to flash.
• Verify the flashback process—if your motherboard supports a BIOS flashback feature (often through a USB port), it can save you from needing a working system during a downgrade.

Hex Editor Inspection:

• Check the BIOS file for strings like "DATE", "Version", and "Build". Sometimes, the BIOS revision information will be in the form of a version string (e.g., "Version 1.3.0").
• Verify the checksum to ensure the file is intact before flashing. BIOS files might have built-in checksum protection.

Backup the Current BIOS:

• Before flashing, backup your existing BIOS using the motherboard's built-in utilities or software like AFU (AMI Firmware Update) or Flash Utility to ensure you can restore it if anything goes wrong.

Check for Special Downgrade Restrictions:

• Some motherboards prevent downgrading to an older BIOS if they detect the motherboard's firmware version is already newer. This can often be bypassed through command-line tools or special bootable flash drives.

Ensure Proper Flashing Method:

• Ensure you're using the correct flashing utility for your motherboard model and that you're not using incompatible utilities (for example, using an Intel flashing tool on an AMD motherboard).
• Create a bootable USB stick using FreeDOS or a similar tool to perform the flashing.

Stress Test After Downgrade:

• After flashing, perform stress tests (e.g., Prime95, MemTest86) and check system stability.
• Monitor for any system instability, crash logs, or boot issues post-downgrade.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Raj_05

HP Support 

[AncientRocks78]

My Mr @Raj_05,

Sorry, I’ve passed everything well, until after the laptop was booted after numerous reboots attempts, and showed:

manufacture programming mode is in unlock mode

Now, entering the F10 to check everything, and I got surprised by no S/N or other things like P/N. Rebooting to the system it shows 12345678AB and such a things in HP Support Assistant!

Any helpful tips please?

[AncientRocks78]

I’ve gotten everything working now, and here’s how i got it finally working:

I reflashed the dumped bios.

The laptop automatically rebooted fine to the system.

I downloaded the hp biosconfigutility after some googling.

Saved the config file from the dumped bios.

Reflashed back the previous lower bios version .

The laptop did some reboots showing something boot block, and showed manufacture programming mode is on unlock mode again, no problem there, and it started to windows, well.

I now started the hp biosconfigutility again, but instead of getting the config from the dumped bios, i set the config from the dumped config previously made from that dumped bios!

I flashed then the bios with a one version upper.

After the successful flash, everything got to normal again which is really good!!!!

I wish this will be useful for everyone who got the same experience!

Thank you Mr @Raj_05