Flash ROM subsystem didn't work properly.

[gadm]

I ask for help from those who have significant technical experience in PC hardware in general and HP systems specifically.

As far as it is known to me modern UEFI-compatible PC computer systems' motherboards contain circuitry which somehow protects system Flash ROM parts from being overwritten during re-programming procedure. I, obviously, don't exactly know what part of the whole system is failing -- either SPI flash ROM chip itself or such a protector -- I even don't know if it exists on my laptop motherboard -- but something of Flash ROM re-programming path has definitely failed.
This shows itself as inability to re-flash UEFI ROM -- which is annoying but not fatal when it comes to BIOS upgrades, but lends the system quite unusable when it comes to inability to change UEFI variables.
Yes, I'm unable to switch back secure boot, change boot sequence, set BIOS password and so on. Although no error is reported by BIOS interface, no parameters are changing actually. Moreover, UNIX-like operating systems (ether Linux or FreeBSD) are unable to do anything with UEFI variables via their utilities (efibootmgr or /proc interface) -- but unlike BIOS interface they report some kind of error such as "No space available".

So, I ask is there some way to recover from this situation using either some special kind of software (I don't know if it exists, though) or hardware -- f.e, re-programming SPI flash using external programmer by well-documented procedure by HP?

[Riddle_Decipher]

@gadm If you haven't attempted a BIOS recovery to flash the ROM, I suggest using the steps in this link to resolve the issue: Click here for details, if this doesn't work, I suggest scrolling down on the same link to make use of the USB BIOS Recovery option by copying the ROM file from a working device and using the same to restore the last working BIOS version back on the device.

P.S: Welcome to HP Community 😉

Keep us posted,

If you would like to thank us for our efforts to help you, 

Give us a virtual high-five by clicking the 'Thumbs Up' icon below, followed by clicking on the "Accept as solution" on this post, 

Have a great day!

[gadm]

I have specifically highlighted in first sentence that I need somebody who understands Flash ROM writing path. 🙂

All of those procedures you sent me do not work -- I receive flash write errors both after standard ROM upgrade procedure and after BIOS recovery with "Win+B".

And obviously, clearing CMOS does not help because on UEFI world it is irrelevant to stored configuration -- UEFI variables isn't stored there, although date and time successfully become invalid after I've removed CMOS battery.

[Riddle_Decipher]

@gadm I saw the highlights and if there was anything else I could help you with, I would have done that, however, there aren't sufficient support articles with details regarding the flash ROM subsystem and I suggest you talk to HP support and discuss your options on getting the device repaired:

follow the below steps to get started:

1) Click on this link - www.hp.com/contacthp/

2) Click on Sign-in or select the product using the below step:

3) Enter the serial of your device.

4) Select the country from the drop-down.

5) Click on "Show Options".

Fill the web-form, to populate a case number and phone number for yourself!

Also, if you are having trouble navigating through the above options, it's most likely because the device is out of warranty, if yes? please send me a private message with the region you are contacting us from, 

here's how private messages work: Click here for details.

[gadm]

1. There are no options besides "go to the forum" and "find service center". As I had contacted HP service center in not-so-far past, I can easily predict what will they answer: "Give us your device, and we will repair it at our factory for $$$".

I'm quite against this way -- there is NO reason to pay big bucks and to send hardware back to factory JUST TO RE-SOLD ONE CHIP.

2. I've just found this link on superuser.com: https://superuser.com/questions/1248328/hp-bios-update-failed
Guy has another model of HP Pavilion 15 notebook, but the same problems.

Moreover, for an unknown magic reason, his log file he taken from USB recovery flash is exactly the mine one -- numbers of failed blocks are the same!

Does it HP hardware design flaw or broken flash ROM chip bunch?

[gadm]

So, the question persists: can I hear any mention from hardware engineers here? Or this forum is only for those who can't find "any key" on the keyboard?