HP Spectre X2 BIOS Update Failure

[LeeTVR]

Hi,

I have just gone back to the HP downloads site and I have noticed that there is a new update for the Intel Platform ME Firmware to version 11.8.50.3470 Rev.A dated April 24th 2018. This is under the section Chipset Firmware which is new.

I will try this later, hopefully it will repair someof the shutdown issues we hav had with the orginal ME updates?

BTW my model Spectre X2 12  is 12-a003na, I presume there will be similar updates for other versions?

I will post to let everyone know how I get on...

[earlystock]

Tried this a while back - does not load - says platform not supported

[LeeTVR]

Hi,

Just tried this following the previous post and get

============================================================================
==                                                                        ==
== The system will auto restart after finish the SoftPAQ update process.  ==
== Please close and save your opening documents and applications, before  ==
== press any key to continue the SoftPAQ update process.                  ==
==                                                                        ==
== Please do not close the program execution window, shut down or remove  ==
== the external power from your system during the SoftPAQ update process. ==
==                                                                        ==
============================================================================
Press any key to continue . . .

Checking the System SSID . . .
The System SSID is "8146" . . .

The System SSID is match the SoftPAQ SSID . . .
Checking the System ME firmware version . . .
The system cannot find the file INFO2.LOG.
The system cannot find the file INFO3.LOG.
The system cannot find the file INFO4.LOG.

The System ME firmware update not initiated due to integrity failure or invalid FW image . . .
Could Not Find C:\SWSetup\SP87520\INFO2.LOG
Could Not Find C:\SWSetup\SP87520\INFO3.LOG
Could Not Find C:\SWSetup\SP87520\INFO4.LOG

What is wrong with HP nowadays? No wonder we get in these states when what is posted on the download sites is obviously not working..? Anyone from HP going to comment?

[SpaceGhostTN]

Exactly same issue.  All was well until I flashed the F.29 bios.  My model is the Spectre x2 - 12-a009nr.  The machine works well, just does not shut down.

[LeeTVR]

Hi,

I just found this...

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Boot-and-Lockup/Shutdown-Boot-Issues-after-ME-Firmware-Update...

I very much doubt it was a hardware failure, more likely the ME update has crocked the chipset on the motherboard, something perhaps that can't be fixed with a bios update? 

So maybe HP can't fix this, but is obliged to roll out the Intel patches because of the storm around "spectre" and "Meltdown"? Perhaps they should have checked beore rolling this out to everyone?

I wonder if they have enough X2s left to replace them all :smileysad:?

[LeeTVR]

Hi,

I just noticed that the Intel Platform ME Firmware  update has gone from the HP support site, at least it has for my 12-a003na...?

It looks like this PC death trap has finally been recognised for the damage it does. Would anyone from HP please comment on where we can go from here?

Any chance of an antidote to fix the chipset firmware together with  a bios that we can update?

[Scurry1]

I have the same problem on my SPectre... Power button takes a very long time to turn it on (as if the pc is taking ages to get through pre boot checks) with no sign on the scren it is working and it would appear not going to a sleep state as the battery goes flat when closed overnight (never had this in the past).

Firmware will not apply and the ME fix won;t work. Support sent me a recovery version of Windows which I applied (erased the device) and still no luck....Any help please? Can I send it back for a fix?

[LeeTVR]

Just an update...

I too contacted HP support UK and after going through all the details again, I was asked to rebuild my machine with their restore software, which by the way I have never received...

I was promised this would be escalated to engineering and they would be in touch... They never contacted me...

I work for a large US company and we have just recently been talking to our Global  Enterprise IT people about the on-going strategy for IT equipment replacement. They have been using HP for years for both desktop and server. We are now switching to Dell for all desktops and laptops and we are advising our customers to do the same for their on premis server and storage projects. 

[LeeTVR]

Hi,

Another update.

I just downloaded and tried to install a new firmware update for my Spectre X2 12 from the HP site 

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp88501-89000/sp88868.exe

This is version F.31A and is meant to fix the Intel firmware issues discussed at length in this thread.

I was looking forward to this working, but like every other update for this issue it failed to install.

Not wanting to give up I attempted to do a USB bios recovery using this firmware (windows key, B) 

and got the folowing error report....

Product Information not valid

The following product information programmed into the system board is missing or invalid.

System Board (00A) System Board CT Number.

This seems in line with the original Intel updates damaging the chipset to the point where it may not be possible to fix it?

HP when are will we get to the hub of this and come up with a proper solution?

[LeeTVR]

Hi, 

Following up from my previos post, I located my CT number in the Bios settings (F1) and I can provide this to HP support if they are interested via PM?