HP BIOS update from March 17, 2017 bricked my notebook, HP won't fix it because it's "obsolete"

[jej1997]

I have an Envy 17-j029nr with hardware revision 1968.  According to HP's web site, BIOS firmware F.69 Rev.A is recommended.  So I installed that.  The process completed successfully.  Then I restarted, and the computer will not boot.

I called tech support (case no. 3039622100), and they walked me through the steps I had already tried to restore the BIOS (Windows + B/V).  (They didn't tell me to try using a USB flash drive, which I had already tried on my own.)

They then said the only remedy was to send the machine to HP for repairs, however that wasn't an option because HP considers the machine to be "obsolete".  A three year old machine.

Questions:

• Why does HP recommend a BIOS update for a notebook that it won't work on?  I told the tech support people that the BIOS image on the web site is wrong, but they couldn't care less.  They are some Indian outsourcing house, so why should they care?

• Why is HP still posting BIOS updates for computers that it considers "obsolete"?  Clearly, updating the BIOS has the possibility to brick the computer, and if there's no way to fix it, aren't you being irresponsible by recommending BIOS updates?

• Is there any way I can get the factory BIOS image for this machine (rev. 1968) so I can try reflashing it with the USB drive method?

[CherylG]

Just saw another member go through this on another model. When holding the Win and B key- press the power button for 5-7 seconds instead of 1-3 seconds. Release it and continue holding Win & B for another few seconds-maybe 10.

If that fails download and Save the lates BIOS and run it- it should offer to make the usb flash recovery. Try it with the same process. Hold Win and B key, press power for 5-7 seconds. Release and continue holding Win and B until the machine beeps or you see it is reading the usb.

You can get previous versions of BIOS on the same page as your latest BIOS. Look for tab Previous versions in the table. I would try with latest version first since I'm not sure older bIOS files offer to make the usb flash drive.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-envy-17-j000-quad-edition-notebook-pc-series/538...

[jej1997]

Thanks for your attempt to help, that was nice of you.

There are only  a few versions available on the web site, and I've tried them all with the USB drive method.  It does briefly attempt to do something (I notice the access LED on the thumb drive blinking), but then it goes back to the "CAPS LOCK blinking twice" state and does nothing else.

I've noticed that the BIOS firmware image files that it puts on the thumb drive are labeled "1961.bin" and "1966.bin".  Yet underneath the battery on my computer, it says "Rev: 1968-100".  There is no "1968.bin" on the thumb drive, and if I rename one or the other files, it doesn't help.

That's why I'd like to get the factory BIOS firmware image for this model, so I can try installing it with the USB thumb drive method.  (Of course, I don't even know which filename it's looking for on the thumb drive, since there apparently is no documentation for the BIOS update tool.  Is it looking for "1968.bin"?  Does the machine even know its hardware revision code?)

[jej1997 · Accepted solution]

Holy crap.

In the spirit of just trying random stuff, I removed the battery and AC power, and disconnected the RTC battery.  I then connected the AC power and cranked it up.

It booted normally.  **bleep**?  Maybe my existing CMOS settings were incompatible with the new BIOS revision.  The BIOS revision is now 69, confirming that the initial reflashing was successful.

I don't know why HP wouldn't include this in its list of troubleshooting steps to try before throwing up their hands and saying "it's broken, send it in for repairs", ... or in my case "it's broken and obsolete, chuck it in the trash".

Well, maybe this thread will help someone in the future.

😄

[ssteward]

Thanks you so much!!!  taking out the RTC fixed my bricked envy 17t-j100 from the bios update!

Shane