HP Spectre X2 BIOS Update Failure

[Jeet_singh]

@LeeTVR,

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Regards,

[Whizkid2310]

Hi,

Just to bring this thread back to my original issue i.e. can't upgrade from older BIOS version vF26 to vF29, I have also tried all the things suggested so far with no luck.

I would welcome any other suggestions following the escalatiuon within the HP ecosystem as just like Lee (who is trying to re-apply BIOS F29) as I too am out of HP warranty.

It does seem like the BIOS is somehow 'locked' preventing the upgrade.

Whilst I can shut down by pressing the power button once the screen goes blank, it takes extra time and is a bit hit and miss.  Also, just to note, since the issue has occurred from the intel updates, boot times appear to have increased as I have to wait for the screen to come to life.

Not impresed.  Wish I'd spent the extra on the 'original' 2-in-1 from a well known software vendor, given it was a business purchase.

[farfa]

I have same problem with HP Spectre x2 - 12-a001nf (ENERGY STAR) P0T71EA#ABF

This problem destroying the battery of my Spectr x2. The computer will not turn off, this reduces battery life.

To turn it off completely, you have to hold power down for at least 5 seconds.

It takes a long time to turn it on.

The computer does not allow the BIOS downgrade. The currently installed BIOS is F29.

Since this problem occurred, I'm not using it anymore. I don't want to use a dead computer, an unreliable computer.

This problem has existed for a long time, HP has not yet arranged it.

I guess I never buy an HP computer again.

Sorry for my bad English, I'm Italian.

[LeeTVR]

Hi,
Just a follow up from my previous posts (sorry if I stole the thread). I eventually managed to install the F29 version again by producing a usb drive version and using the windows key + B boot combination. The trick here is to hold the keys down for a long time after the power button. The boot is so slow now a few seconds is not enough.
Unfortunately, this did not work and I still have shutdown issues. I suspect either the Me part of the bios is not being written over or that the ME code is not working. I have read that the MEI driver needs to be installed. In device manager I have nothing, so I tried to install the driver from HP and it would not install with incompatible device.. The whole thing is a bit wearing. Please give us a new bios that trashes the whole ME patch, so we can start again?

Regards,

Lee

[APennysthought]

Lee I am in the same boat! I have hardly used this machine since I purchased it (maybe 5hrs total!), yet it's happening to me too. It was working fine, and after the last update it runs really hot when shut off and unplugged (yeah off, should not be hot). The battery runs dead when off only after a few hours! All battery settings have been adjusted to prevent sleep and hibernate. I have to do a hard press shut down first (even though the machine seems off), only then I can turn it on. I have only once seen a cmos error, and in trouble shooting tried to reinstall the bios update to be told I could not. Did I mention my screen is also blinking off and on randomly now? Not frequently, but either way. I am so frustrated spending money on a machine that doesn't work by no fault of hardware and hardly any use.. to find it's actually an update provided by HP that rendered my machine broken! I wish there was a solution for us owners, or at least a class action or recall.

[earlystock]

We need a resolution here. This issue is affecting a lot of people as can be seen by the these forums. It was caused by an upgrade applied by the HP support assistant. All the suggested fixes have failed for me (all the power management, fast start settings etc). A bios update will not complete (another common issue), and for those that have completed it the issueonly goes away some of the time. 

I assume HP know that they have created a problem but are not inclined to fix it, I assume because the volume of X2s is small enough for them not tocare.

I own a small consultancy, I only buy about 10 or so laptops every 2 years, in February 2016 I bought 8 Surface pro;s a lenovo and the HP Spectre. I was (as I always do every 2 years), just about to order the replacement of all these machines with 9 spectre x360 i7s and one zbook x2 (for me), I know this is only a $25k spend, so a dot in the HP numbers, but I am now unlikely to do that as I do not want to end up in the same boat as I am with the Spectre x2 at this time. I have to trust that the machines will at least last the 2 years without the manufacturer issue bad patches then ignoring the request for fix. If we can not get something in the next 2 weeks I guess the order will be for 10 Surface pro i7s

[APennysthought]

I fear you are correct. I was instructed to install a battery bios softpaq, which of course resolved nothing. Now my charging light likes to blink when I have the thing completely shut down and nothing plugged in. I responded back with this, and yet to hear anything back. Does this qualify for grounds for a class action?

[SpaceGhostTN]

Same problem.  Updated to F.29.  Will not shut down.  Have to hold the on/off button after shutdown to get it to completely shut down.  Did clean install of Win 10.  Will not shut down.  Tested in Ubuntu 18.04 and it not shut down in Linux either.  

[LeeTVR]

I noticed the later version of the spectre X2 models c000x have had a couple of firmware upgrades specifically to counter issues with the Intel updates made late last year that crocked the bios. These have been made after F.29 was released. I am still getting the run around with UK support and I suspect we will not get anywhere with this as most of the a000x machines like ours will be out of warranty? I fear HP have lost interest in providing software support for out of warranty products even with a serious issue like this. I am just going to have to suck it up and buy something else...!

[Zig81]

I've been silently following this thread since it started. I have to agree that we are not seeing any progress on this issue. I've tried all the suggestions and none have worked. I've settled for checking if my computer is turned off by pressing the f5 key and seeing if my keyboard lights up. If the keys light up, I have to hold the power button for 12 seconds to get it turned off. The fact that it can't shutdown without being forced off is especially galling because it only takes one tap on the power button to start it up. All I have to do is accidentally pick its case up wrong and the next time I need it, it's been drained. 

Whatever suit you want to start, count me in.