HP Spectre X2 BIOS Update Failure

[Whizkid2310]

Following the download of new Intel drivers in January my Spectre X2 has not been shutting down fully (the screen goes blank but keyboard lights remain on).

Based on others with the same issue, and as advised in other posts the fix is a BIOS update, however this keeps failing.  I am on version F25 with the new version being F29.

I have tried installing from the download installer via Windows and also using USB media from the UEFI Firmware Management tool in the HP UEFI Diagnostics software before booting to Windows.

In all cases, the BIOS update utility advises "Unable to successfully flash BIOS image" and then restarts the PC.

All other drivers are up to date.  The issue also occurs if trying to upgrade from Windows Safe Mode/no wifi.  I also can't roll back to an earlier BIOS version......I therefore have tried all possible avenues I can think of.

Basically therefore it would seem that I have a PC that won't shut down cleanly and no way of fixing the issue due to a failing BIOS update.

Does anyone have any ideas?  The PC is outside of HP warranty and I am unsure if the retailer's extended warranty would cover this type of issue.

[LeeTVR]

Hi, 

I have the same issue with my X2, but with a different twist. I already had the F29 release on my machine when I put the Intel drivers/firmware on. It looks like the Intel firmware updated the working F29 release and broke the shutdown sequence. Now I can't even get the F29 release back on the X2. If HP are going to release a bios version to fix an issue, surely you should be able to reinstall it back over the issue itself?

Anyone have an updated F30 release that will update a crocked F29?

Regards,

Lee

[Jeet_singh]

@Whizkid2310, @LeeTVR,

Thanks for engaging in HP support Forums! This is a wonderful location to converse with the community, get assistance and find tips! I understand you are having issues with the Bios update on your HP notebook. Don't worry we'll work together to help you resolve this issue.

Please do the hard reset again. Steps:

• Power down the computer and unplug the charger. Then remove the battery only if it is a removable one.
• Hold down the power button of the unit for 15 seconds to discharge static electrical charges inside the machine.

• Replace the battery and reconnect the charger.

Then please visit this link to recover or restore you bios. Link for bios restore: http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c02693833

Please perform this step first.

Power down the computer.

• . Then Hold down the “Windows” Key and the  letter “B”  simultaneously and press the power button also for about 5 seconds at the same time.
•   For some reason if the Windows Key and letter B does not work, I would suggest you could also try to Hold down the "Windows" Key and the letter "V" simultaneously and press the power button also for about 5 seconds at the same time.
• Then  follow the on-screen instructions.

If you need to update the bios, please visit this link: http://hp.com/drivers

Hope this helps. Let me know how this goes. I genuinely hope the issue gets resolved without hassles and the unit works great. Trust me I have done all I can to help by keeping your best interest in mind. Please reach out for any issues and I'll be there to assist you.

To simply say thanks, please click the "Thumbs Up" button to give me a Kudos to appreciate my efforts to help. If this helps, please mark this as “Accepted Solution” as it will help several others with the same issue to get it resolved without hassles.

Take care now and have a splendid week ahead. 

[LeeTVR]

Hi, I have tried all this and nothing works. It looks like F29 is locked so that an earlier version can not be put on to override the Intel updates. Unfortunately you can’t overwrite F29 with itself. This is why I cannot sort the problem....

Regards,

Lee

[Jeet_singh]

@LeeTVR,

As I understand you are having issues installing the Bios update, don't worry as I have a few suggestions which should help you resolve this issue.

Let's try to download and install HP support assistant on your PC. It should automatically download and install the latest updates and drivers for your PC.

Refer this link to know how to use HP support assistant.

Let me know how it goes for further assistance!

Eagerly waiting for your response

Regards,

[LeeTVR]

Hi. As part of my investigations, I have reset my pc and checked for updates using support assistant.

There are no updates available.

Regards,

Lee

[Jeet_singh]

@LeeTVR,

As I understand you have already tried these steps and unfortunately nothing has helped to resolve this issue. Don't worry as I have a few other steps which should help you resolve this issue.

Let's try these steps here: 

Launch Task Manager and then search for service called Insyde and then right click on it and then End the Task.

Once done, please click on this link to update the Bios, http://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp84001-84500/sp84425.exe

Keep me posted,

If the information I've provided was helpful,

give us some reinforcement by clicking the solution and kudos buttons,

that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers!

Good Luck.

[LeeTVR]

Hi, The service (application) was not running, so I tried again to update using the F29 bios image. Not only does it not work but I have to reenter my Bitlocker code on the next boot as the software does not correctly reenable bitlocker when the update finishes.

I do appreciate your help with this, but as an IT architect, i hope I know what we are looking at here. I need a new bios which is capable of overwriting the existing ME updated image. If F29 is normally capable of being overwritten with itself then it is worth progressing with this,  otherwise I think we need to put this back to the software guys?

Regards,

Lee

[Jeet_singh]

@LeeTVR,

As I understand you have bitlocker enabled and this could be one of the possible causes for the update failure. So, In this scenario, I would suggest you disable bitlocker and then try to update the Bios on your computer. 

Note: Please remember to keep the recovery key as it might prompt once the update is completed. 

If the issue persists, I would recommend you contact our HP phone support for further assistance. 

HP Technical Support can be reached by clicking on the following link: http://h22207.www2.hp.com/us-en/?openCLC=true

(1) Once the support page opens please select the country in which you're located. Next, enter your HP model number on the right.

(2) Next, choose the 'Contact Support' tab at the top and scroll down to the bottom of the 'HP Support- Contact' page to fill out the form provided with your contact information.

(3) Once completed click the 'Show Options' icon on the bottom right.

(4) Lastly, scroll down to the bottom of the page and select 'Get the phone number.' A case number and phone number will now populate for you.

If you have any troubles, let me know and I will do my best to help!

Hope this helps, for any further queries reply to the post and feel free to join us again

Feel free to post your query for any other assistance as well,

It's been a pleasure interacting with you and I hope you have a good day ahead.

If you wish to show appreciation for my efforts, mark my post as Accepted Solution.

And click on the Purple Thumbs up icon at the bottom of my comment.

Regards,

[LeeTVR]

Hi.

Thanks for your help so far, but suggesting that I try to use HP phone help is not very useful?

As I suspect HP know, most of the Spectre X2s are now out of warranty and therefore not eligible for any unpaid support.

The issue here is that the critical Intel update that cannot be reversed, has broken the shutdown on an otherwise working PC. The fix for this (bios F29) may fix this issue but cannot be reapplied and therfore if the Intel update is run after F29 has been put on then the break is permanent. 

I am now in a position where I have to pay for the investigation of a fix that may or may not result in a updated bios? All this is to sort a problem that should not have been ther in the first place and was forced through a maditory update on users who may or may not have been in warranty.

What with this and the long term issue with the battery drain whilst shutdown problem and the USB C charger incompatabilty issue, I really feel the average HP user who invests in their premium products gets a raw deal?

I now have a broken PC that cannot be shutdown properly, with no real fix, so I can't even sell it on.. and get something in warranty?

Regards,

Lee