Unable to get support. Serial and product number invalid.

[Mike010]

I have several issues. First of all, I upgraded my RAM, but when I went to the bios, there's no advanced options tab. Enabling that is my primary problem, but when I tried to get support for that, I am asked for my serial number and then a product number. The product number listed on my box and in the hp support app are not valid. The auto detect does not return anything and the software download from the autodetect screen does not install properly. Does anyone have any advice on either the BIOS issue or on how to get support? So far this has been a pretty poor first experience with HP computers.

[erico]

No one can help you if you do not identify your laptop with its product number(SKU).

Expecting an advanced BIOS section of the BIOS in a laptop of a manufactured laptop  is not a realistic expectation.

HP has produced and brought to market more than a thousand different models of notebooks and desktop PCs over the years.

Watch the video at the link to learn how to identify your laptop.
https://players.brightcove.net/1160438706001/ByLWUi0A_default/index.html?videoId=ref:REFIDNS35764772

[Mike010]

My apologies, I must have forgotten to include the product info when I rewrote my post. The product number is 912K8AV and the serial number is CND4480JKR. 

Why would it be an unreasonable expectation to have full access to bios settings? I ask because this is the first modern laptop I have used other than what I was provided by my employer. I'm not sure what the common manufacturer practices are.

When I shop for motherboards, the bios options are something I try to look at before I make the purchase. I did the same before I bought the laptop and the images I saw had the advanced tab and made me believe I would have more control over the hardware.

It looks like the XMP settings for the RAM set the right speed anyway, but I am a little disappointed that I can not look at all of that myself.

[erico · Accepted solution]

It is unfortunate, but for the most part, only DIY motherboards have advanced sections of the BIOS that allow tweaking of RAM and bus timings and bus voltages.

That is just the way it is.

It is manufacturers protecting laptop owners from themselves.

Most laptop owners don't realize that choosing the wrong setting  in the BIOS and saving it can and will brick their motherboard and/or their operating system.