HP 15 issue - Windows 10 freezes after BIOS Update

[DjLiLaL-RSA]

So i now have a paperweight instead of a notebook.

A client needed her HP 15-bs151ni upgraded as the spinning drive and 4GB RAM was making it run at the speed of a snail on a bad day.

I installed a new SSD, as well as an extra 8GB RAM, cloned the HDD to SSD, and after swapping the SSD for the old HDD, booted into Windows 10 as always, very fast but HP Assistant said there was an urgent Firmware / BIOS update. 

I told it to do it, and it said it installed, but didnt ask for a reboot or any further procedures.

I rebooteed and after logging in again, the same update was being offered as urgent.

I went to HP's downloads for this notebook, downloaded the exact same package it stated was needing the update, and installed it. Which i wish i never did and assumed it may have been needed for the SSD that was installed.

Now after 2 to 3 minutes of logging in to Windows, the notebook freezes and i have to hard reset (Hold power for 10 seconds, or else remove the AC Adapter and Battery) or it just is frozen wiith no key combinations working, and no mouse scrolling when i move it.

I have attempted putting the old HDD back in the notebook, same issue, removed the 8GB RAM and had the SSD or the HDD in and same issue. I tried reinstalling the same BIOS package in Safe Mode as well as the BIOS / Firmware update section in the System Diagnostics boot section, and does not help.

I even attempted to RESET the computer through the Windows 10 Recovery Options, and even that does not work.

If i boot into a Windows 10 PE disc like Hiren, it works perfectly and does not freeze, so what is going on and why would a BIOS update affect the OS in any way.

I have also tried to find an older BIOS to downgrade to either with the USB BIOS flash option or else through the System Diagnotics. But no older BIOS is allowed to install.

Since i see the same issue has been happening in a lot of forums, and especially for Business devices, it seems like HP is actually trying to get rid of clients, and if they are going to ask for a cent for this notebook to allow it to work again, when they lock BIOS downgrades which i am pretty sure would resolve the issue, then they have lost me, all my clients and all the current clients forever.

Coming from a company that once was totally HP for everything, this steady decline in HP and now HPe, and hopefully Aruba wont follow, but their latest updates changed all those switches to HPe not Aruba FW so i really hope not those as well, has been not just disgusting, but extremely unethical and fraudulent, making people buy new devices by destroying the old one is i guess an American thing (Apple iPhone slowing down as it ages?!) and has destroyed your reputation.

Either you need to allow me to somehow downgrade the BIOS to a previous WORKING version, or else replace this notebook ASAP with a working equivalent, or i will need to take this further. 

[Nal_NR]

Hi @DjLiLaL-RSA,

Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

I'd be glad to help you! 

That is an excellent description and a great diagnosis. It is greatly appreciated.            

This might require one-on-one interaction to fix the issue. I would request you to contact HP Phone support who can look into this issue via remote assistance or if require service.

For that to happen, we will give you additional instructions/information via Private Message.

Please check your inbox on the forums page for the private message.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

[DjLiLaL-RSA]

Hello HP,

All i need is a way to downgrade the BIOS to the 2020 version, which it was on and was working, i installed the SSD into a spare laptop and it worked and they are using that until this BIOS issue is sorted.

Remote assistance will not work / help as i cant boot into Windows long enough for you to do anything, it just freezes.

[DjLiLaL-RSA]

Still no reply about a bios downgrade which will fix the issue since there was no issue before the bios update. 

Please get back to me, or else replace the notebook with one HP has not intentionally bricked. 

[DjLiLaL-RSA]

Since i am ignored, i will have to now resort to social media to bring this issue into the light.

Not sure why HP cant get back to me, or just fix the issue, but i am sure others will have the same issue.

I am admin on a few very popular IT groups on FB, and will post on Twitter / X as well, since you are pretty much telling me this property which you bricked, i must just recycle and upgrade, which you did the exact same with a few years ago with your business models, and that is extremely unethical and just disgusting. 

[DjLiLaL-RSA]

Wow. Is this the sort of support HP offers now. 

HP bricked a device owned by someone, HP needs to resolve it!!

What is going on??