Please help updating my bios

[Kean112]

Hi, I need help, please. I have an old laptop that I recently upgraded from a B940 processor to an Intel Core i5-2450M processor. I also updated the BIOS from version F.19 to F.39. The new processor was detected successfully. I installed Windows 10, and the installation was successful. However, upon restarting the laptop, it now shows an error message: "No bootable device - insert boot disk and press any key."

I researched online for solutions but couldn't find the option in BIOS to enable UEFI or Legacy mode, which might be causing the issue. Could anyone please help me with this? I've watched YouTube videos and searched online forums but haven't had any luck. I really want to use Windows 10 on my laptop. Could someone provide a link to download a BIOS update for the Compaq Presario laptop that includes the legacy boot option? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. This laptop holds sentimental value to me as my first one, and I'm keen to get it working again.

Here are my laptop details:

• Model: Presario CQ43
• Product Number: LZ792PA#UUF
• System board ID: 3672
• BIOS: InsydeH2O F.39
• Processor: Intel Core i5-2450M

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

According to the support page, you already have the latest BIOS update HP released for your notebook.

Compaq Presario CQ43-206TU Notebook PC Software and Driver Downloads | HP® Support

Your notebook has a legacy BIOS which is why you can't find any settings for UEFI or Legacy.

Any boot options you see are for legacy.

There is only one suggestion I can think of you can try and that is to add the storage controller drivers during the W10 installation process.

I zipped up and attached the Intel storage controller drivers below.

Download and unzip the file to its folder.

Copy all of the files in the folder to a USB flash drive.

Have the flash drive and your Windows installation media plugged into USB ports.

Boot from the W10 installation flash drive or DVD.

When you get to the screen where it asks 'Where do you want to install Windows,' click on the Load driver option, browse to the flash drive with the storage controller drivers on it.

If you check the box, it will only include the compatible driver.

Click Next and Windows should load the correct storage controller driver and install.

Hopefully when the notebook restarts, it will work this time.

[Kean112]

Hi thanks for your prompt reply. I appreciate it. Just a question,  Do i have to reinstall Windows 10 again with the zip file you attached? second question, what should i select when creating bootable USB for WIN 10, GPT or MBR ? under partition scheme.  Your reply is a huge help, Many thanks

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You're very welcome.

Yes, you have to start from the beginning and reinstall W10.

Since your PC has a legacy BIOS, you can only install W10 using the MBR partition table.

GPT can only be used in PC's with a UEFI BIOS and you have to boot the Windows installation media from a (U)EFI boot source, not a legacy one.

[Kean112]

Hi Paul, thank you so much you are such a big help. I think it's working now but I have to test it for at least 1 week or 2 to see if its fully working. I have another question though, I'm planning to upgrade the processor to icore7-2640m  it has the same TDP of 35W. My question is will it work? Thank you in advance with your reply.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Glad that your notebook is working again on W10.

The service manual does not list the Intel i7-2640m as a supported processor in the model series.

c02950273.pdf (hp.com)

Here is a side-by-side comparison of the two processors...

Intel® Product Specification Comparison

Looking at the specs and the release dates of the processors, theoretically the i7-2640M should work.

I cannot find any discussions where anyone has tried to install an i7-2640M processor in the model series, so it would be an experiment on your part.

Have you upgraded the 2.5" mechanical hard drive to a 2.5" solid state drive?

If your notebook continues to function normally, you may want to go for that upgrade first.

Get a Western Digital Blue SA510 2.5" 500 GB SSD:

Amazon.com: Western Digital 500GB WD Blue SA510 SATA Internal Solid State Drive SSD - SATA III 6 Gb/...

Then go for the processor upgrade since I see that you can find those processors pretty inexpensively nowadays.

I7-2640m for sale | eBay

[Kean112]

Hi Paul,

I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to reach out to express my sincere gratitude for your assistance thus far. However, I am encountering significant issues following the installation of a legitimate copy of Windows 10 downloaded from the official Windows website.

After successfully installing the operating system and using it for approximately one hour, I encountered a blue screen error with the message: "Recovery: There was a problem with a device connected to your PC, error code 0xc00000e9." It suggested that this issue can occur due to problems with removable storage devices or improper removal while in use.

Despite attempting to resolve the issue by selecting Safe Mode, I found myself in a continuous loop back to the recovery blue screen. I subsequently tried using the bootable Windows 10 USB again and opted for computer repair. However, after selecting troubleshoot and attempting startup repair, the issue persists.

I am currently at a loss and feeling quite frustrated with this situation. For your reference, I upgraded using a Kingston SSD, 1TB.

Your continued assistance would be greatly appreciated. I am eager to resolve this matter and regain functionality of my laptop, particularly given my appreciation for the sleek design and display of the Compaq Presario.

Thank you once again for your support in advance.

Best regards,

Kean

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@Paul_Tikkanen wrote:

You're very welcome.

Glad that your notebook is working again on W10.

The service manual does not list the Intel i7-2640m as a supported processor in the model series.

c02950273.pdf (hp.com)

Here is a side-by-side comparison of the two processors...

Intel® Product Specification Comparison

Looking at the specs and the release dates of the processors, theoretically the i7-2640M should work.

I cannot find any discussions where anyone has tried to install an i7-2640M processor in the model series, so it would be an experiment on your part.

Have you upgraded the 2.5" mechanical hard drive to a 2.5" solid state drive?

If your notebook continues to function normally, you may want to go for that upgrade first.

Get a Western Digital Blue SA510 2.5" 500 GB SSD:

Amazon.com: Western Digital 500GB WD Blue SA510 SATA Internal Solid State Drive SSD - SATA III 6 Gb/...

Then go for the processor upgrade since I see that you can find those processors pretty inexpensively nowadays.

I7-2640m for sale | eBay

---

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Sorry that you are having issues with W10.

Unfortunately, I don't know what the problem could be and suggest you do a search of the error code and see what troubleshooting steps are available.

I found this for example:  The secure boot suggestion is not applicable to your notebook.

Error Code 0xc00000e9: What It Means and How to Fix It (lifewire.com)

You can also start a new discussion on the problem.

Maybe someone else has some suggestions that may help.

Cheers,

Paul