Probook 450 G2 different bios dates reported by Support Assistant, Win10 config & HP download center

[stephen_ford]

The date of my Bios and the and the date of the same version currently available appear to be at odds with each other.

I updated the bios on the 10/Aug to 1.44 according to HP Support Assistant (HPSA)

Windows config info shows a version date of 13/July

HPSA says this is no longer available

The current bios is 01.44 Rev.A 14.2 MB Jul 23, 2017

I assume that 01.44 Rev.A is the same as v.1.44 in the config details becasue HPSA says there are no outstanding updates available.

If 01.44 Rev.A is the same as v.1.44 then how come the different dates reported by Win config (13/July) and HP download center (23/July)?

And if the bios versions are the same then why does Win10 only report 1.44 instead of 1.44revA?

[Dragon-Fur]

@stephen_ford

It is likely that the HP Support Assistant (HPSA) is not able to retrieve the full information for the BIOS reading / update.  In particular, the HPSA may be missing the "Rev" and / or "Pass" information.

At this writing, it is recommended that you do not use the HPSA to update the BIOS nor to check on the results of any BIOS update you initiate manually.

If the HPSA offers a BIOS update, click to Ignore it / delete it / otherwise mark it as unwanted so HPSA won't try to sneak in and update your BIOS out from under you.

The information in your BIOS Update Driver page is correct for the current (and previous) version(s) as listed.

For information related to the current release, open category Associated Files > click Download (the file actually opens in a small pop-up window on your screen).

Check BIOS (installed) version:

Control Panel > icon view > Administrative Tools > System Information

Your business class machine provides a very nice HP Software Management tool:

HP SoftPaq Download Manager

Once you become familiar with the program and its capabilities, you may wish to use it in place of other methods to update and maintain the HP drivers on your computer.

Versions / Release Notes Information

HP SoftPaq Download Manager (SDM)

Business Systems - Client Management Solutions (software management)

Scroll to the bottom of the page > Select to read about available subjects.

For example:  HP SoftPaq Download Manager

Once you have the software downloaded and installed, how-to and help is available within the program.   Open Softpaq Download Manager > tab Help > ? Help

If you cannot immediately locate the program after it is installed on your computer,

Open your Windows Start screen (Windows key) >

Click "Bullets / subjects" icon on the left side to show categories A-Z

Scroll down, open "H" > open HP > Right-Click on HP Softpaq Manager > Pin to Start

Click Thumbs Up to say Thank You!

Answered? Click my post "Accept as Solution" to help others find it.

[stephen_ford]

Thank you for all that information 🙂

OK, I see that v.1.44 is the same as 1.44revA because 1.44revA is the most recent version.

Can you suggest why the dates are different as reported by Win config (13/July) and HP download center (23/July). Details like this concern me...

?

[stephen_ford]

I've had a comment on Microsoft Answers that 1.44revA could well be the next versionfrom 1.44. It would be nice to know...

[Dragon-Fur · Accepted solution]

@stephen_ford

---

@stephen_ford wrote:

OK, I see that v.1.44 is the same as 1.44revA because 1.44revA is the most recent version.

Can you suggest why the dates are different as reported by Win config (13/July) and HP download center (23/July). Details like this concern me...

and

I've had a comment on Microsoft Answers that 1.44revA could well be the next versionfrom 1.44. It would be nice to know...

---

I suspect the earlier date is the <BIOS-Version>.bin file date; such is the case for the BIOS installed on my ZBook.  

No comment on Microsoft Community except to say I have on occasion used the resource.

What information is available in the public HP venue?

Open BIOS Update Driver page 

Scroll down > Open category Associated Files >

Click Download to open the description file for the BIOS package.

Partial Excerpt:

Version=01.44
Revision=A
Pass=1

VendorVersion=01.44

...

SoftpaqNumber=SP81459
SupersededSoftpaqNumber=SP79771

Partial Excerpt from sp79771.cva

Version=01.43
Revision=A
Pass=1

VendorVersion=01.43

...

SoftpaqNumber=SP79771
SupersededSoftpaqNumber=SP77809

If there was a "pre" Rev A version of 1.44, it is no longer showing as available. 

Commentary

The HPSA is not a full context resource for driver package information.  

See information that is available for any given package on your computer's Software and Driver page > specific driver > Details > See Full Details > Associated Files

Specific Driver page provides what public information is available for that package, which may include (and may not be limited to) one or more of the following categories:

• Fixes
• Associated Files
• Installation Instructions
• Revision History

Once a package is downloaded and installed, information is available on the computer.

For example:

Open a command prompt window with Admin privileges:

Windows key + X + A 

Type command(s):

wmic bios get biosversion

wmic bios list brief

wmic bios

Depending on how the sp package is downloaded / installed, additional information may be available in C:\SWSetup\Driver-sp-package-folder

Thank you for participating in the HP Community Forum.

We are a community of HP enthusiasts dedicated to supporting HP devices and technology.

[stephen_ford]

Hi Dragon-Fur

Thank you for that extensive explanation. I was exhausted by the time I had reveiwed the information. It happens that I focus on detail. Not that I get everything right, or even see the obvious sometimes (!) but generally I look at a situation, build a set of data in my mind and then evaluate the logical connections. That's the best way I know of describing one of my characteristics.

One of the consequences is that I first of all don't know I'm doing that in any one situation. I'm usually busy solving a problem or trying to get a job done. Indeed I think I do it through the day during all my daily experiences, and the only time I notice it is when parts of the data 'look wrong'. I begin to feel uncomfortable that is when expected connections dont connect as - 'expected'...

And I was becomming more uncomfortable with this BIOS issue when you then mentioned not to rely on HPSA but rather to trust HP SoftPaq Download Manager. At that point I had to say "arrrrrgh!" because a) I loaded BIOS 1.44  with HPSA (so I was concerned for the integrity of my OS), b) I had a real "fight" with both HP and SPDM when I first bought the notebook because it was incapable of understanding what software was loaded on my notebook let alone working out what updates were requried, c) SPDM seems to work, and d) as a result of the above, I have come to the conclusion that HP software quality control is APAULLING!!

I appreciate your contribution here but the consequence is that I have realised that HP do not have a clue about software quality control. The commands you gave me to interrogate the configuation of windows, and the files you mentioned with BIOS information all show me that there is no control of the information so that if forms a logical whole.

BIOS version

It's either 1.44A or 1.44 but it can't be both. It's unbelivably stupid of HP to allow a situation where the HP download site lists the version as 1.44A but Windows reports 1.44 in the system config listing. Even Microsoft think that 1.44 and 1.44A are different.

BIOS Dates

A supplier just CANNOT provide an upgrade with file dates and the system config listing show one date, and the HP download site showing another. That's software management professionalism plumbing new depths of incompetence.

HP update software

I unistalled SPDM  becasue when I pressed HP about the details of a partiular update when the Notebook was brand new. I challenged them so much on every last detail of the process (becasuse I have the experience and I have that ability), that they resorted to saying that only the developer to answer my questions and he was not available. And the question was open through the entirety of the Warranty period and was only closed unanswered when the warranty expired. In other words HP could not answer questions about their own software! I was speachless, which is rare... I unstalled the software.

And then HPSA  came along and seemed to do a decent job, but now I find you questioning it's abilities which has made me really worried. I'm worried becasue my business depends on my PC and Windows. It's one thing Windows being unreliable, but when the PC manufacturer can't manage the BIOS properly we users do not stand a cat in hell's chance of guaranteeing that he PC will achieve an acceptible level of integrity.

[Dragon-Fur]

@stephen_ford

Such attention to detail is both commendable and (as you say) exhausting.

If you dislike the SDM method to check / update Drivers, do what many of us have done for a long time:

• Sign up for HP Alerts so you are notified of important / routine recommendations
• Keep general track of your system's health using programs and tools meant to provide the type of information you seek
• Occasionally log into your computer's Website Software and Driver page to check for updates

In the case of the BIOS, or indeed on any subject, please do not confuse what HP knows with what I write in a post.  If I have misled you in any way, it is perhaps due to my reasonable understanding of the subject matter or my perceived desire to explain / present the information in a concise format.

I do thank you for your comments -- it reminds us that we are responsible for our ability to convey information accurately and to remember to do so with the appropriate disclaimers: 

Those of us who serve on the HP Community Forum do so as volunteers.

We strive to provide "no harm" advice, helpful suggestions, and solutions on a variety of subjects.

We provide a friendly "safe space" for members of the HP community to ask for help.

I do not work for HP -- my comments and opinions are my own.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community Forum.

We are a community of HP enthusiasts dedicated to supporting HP devices and technology.

[stephen_ford]

@Dragaon-Fur

Please don't think I am levelling critizim at you. I'm not in any way; indeed I am very greatful for your contribution because it has confirmed my suspicions that HP are failing to manage software updates.

And you have helped me understand the inconsistencies that HP has introduced to the BOIS update system. And that will help me interpret the correct update status of my notebook.

I am aware of your status, and you have not mislead me at all.

I had wondered about the benefits of a software update application - or two of them in the case of HP. After all, in the 'good old days' (:smileywink:) we managed the whole process manually. I'm the first to automate a process if possible - but it's got to work! HP seem to have missed that point!

Process automation has become a great interest of mine over the years because when done well it makes life so much easier. But all HP has done is given me a headache. I have wasted so much time over this issue. And it doesn't stop there. My CD/DVD drive does not work and Bluetooth is problematic at best. This post it related to my search for a solution for those problems.

There are no excuses; and certainly there are no excuses for a company with the size and reputation of HP producing software that cannot be trusted.

So I would agree with you that on HP platforms, a manual update process is by far the safest approach.

HP seem to be OK with printers but they are a long way behind with managing data integrity for notebooks - IMHO...!