HP Spectre X2 BIOS Update Failure

[Jeet_singh]

@LeeTVR,

I have escalated your concern to HP’s Support Team in your region to have it reviewed for available options if any.

You should be contacted within 4 business days (Excluding Holidays & Weekends).

Response times may vary by region.

Please send a Private Message, if you aren’t contacted within 4-5 business days.

If you are unfamiliar with how the Forum's private message capability works, you can learn about that here.

Thank you for visiting the HP Support Forum.

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?

[LeeTVR]

I am not getting anywhere with the issues I have with my X2 and having spent top money on this device, I must say I agree with the others here that the problems this device is plauged with seem to make it unfit for use.

I too still suffer with the battery drain whilst shutdown problem and the USB C charger incompatabilty issues, both of which are inherent hardware problems and I feel HP have simply dumped their users because this device wasn't a big seller.

HP are using damage limitation and in the case of the battery drain issues are refunding the original purchase price of the device (see below). I think this is a good indication that they have given up getting this device to work - period.

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/HP-Spectre-x2-12-battery-drain...

I suggest anyone (like me) who paid over $1000 for this device and anyone else considering going down the high end HP route look elsewhere. Having a portable machne that doesn't shutdown, runs flat overnight when off and cant be charged through its own USB C port with anything but its own charger is just not good enough at any price.

I would scream and shout on here, to at least save others from the same fate...?

I am an principal IT architect with a large US company and I am currently writing this on a company HP laptop. Please be aware HP that the impression you give with your consumer goods can come back to bite you in other areas....

[sarhaynes]

Just to add to the conversation.  I am having the same problem.  I've tried several methods to apply the F.29 BIOS to my system which has F.25.  I still have had no luck.  I've create a USB stick.  I've tried to install the BIOS through all the methods with BitLocker enabled, disabled, and paused.  All to no avail.

I'm also have the power down issue causing fast power failure.

I've downloaded and installed all the latest drivers.

Still no go and no set of instructions have helped.

[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.