How to update the BIOS

[kcav]

Received BIOS Corruption Error 501 

Thought I would check BIOS Upgrade - could not find how to upgrade the BIOS.

Have determined:

1. Computer name            Elite Book 8440p
2. Product number            WH256UT#ABA
3. System board ID            172B
4. Processor type               Intel Corel(Tm) i7 CPU
5. BIOS Ver Number           68CCU ver F20

How can I make a BIOS upgrade?

[Huffer]

F.60 is the latest BIOS. You will find it here:

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-elitebook-8440p-notebook-pc/4095872

Your laptop only has driver support through Windows 7. You may need to manually select Windows 7 as the OS to show the available downloads. While I think you would be OK to do so, you may not want to use the Windows-based BIOS flash utility within Windows 10. The BIOS download gives the option to make a bootable thumb drive to flash the BIOS. That is independent of the installed OS and would be your best choice I believe. The F.60 is a highly recommended update as it solves some fairly significant issues. Post back if you need more help. 

[kcav]

I would like to use the Windows-based BIOS flash utility within Windows 10. 

I went to Software and Drivers for HP EliteBook 8440p Notebook PC,    https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-elitebook-8440p-notebook-pc/4095872  

I did not see an option for the  F 60.  Where can I find the file to download to a flash drive so I can upgrade my BIOS.

KCav

[Huffer]

I gave you a link. If you access the site from a Windows 10 computer it will show no available drivers so you have to manually select Windows 7 64 bit from the pulldown menu. Again, I strongly encourage you to do the bootable usb drive flash. The Windows based app was written to run from Windows 7 not Windows 10. It may work but I do not want to be responsible for bad outcomes. 

[kcav]

 I would like to use a USB flash drive. Where do I find the USB file that needs to be installed so  I can put it on a bootable USB drive?

[kcav]

I`m sorry, I meant to say I do not want to use the Windows-based BIOS flash utility within Windows 10.  I want to make a bootable thumb drive to flash the BIOS. Where do I find the download to put on a bootable flash drive?  Is it called F 60?

KCav

[Huffer]

Type:

BIOS

Version:

F.60 Rev.A

Operating systems:

Windows 7 (64-bit)

Release date:

Nov 30, 2015

File name:

sp73930.exe

(7.7 MB)

Description:

This package creates files that contain an image of the System BIOS (ROM) for the supported notebook models with a 68CCU family ROM. This package is used to flash the System ROM on a supported notebook.

This package includes several methods for updating the BIOS version as follows:

- Use the HPQFlash Utility to update the BIOS directly in a Microsoft Windows Operating System environment.
- Create a bootable USB Key to update the system BIOS.
- Use System Software Manager (SSM) to update the system BIOS on PCs in a network.

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp73501-74000/sp73930.exe

Download the file to a computer with a usb port and a min 8 gig memory stick. Launch the app and it will give you the option to upgrade directly in Windows or will make the bootable usb for you. Choose the latter. Then boot system from resulting usb drive and follow screen prompts. 

[kcav]

The USB Flash drive I used had write protection turned on.  I had to find out how to change it.  The problem is now resolved.

I think the BIOS has been upgraded and error 501 will not return. shall see later today.

Ken

[Huffer · Accepted solution]

Please mark as solution if it works so others can find it more easily from the internet.