Updated BIOS, No longer able to enter BIOS

[ThirdEyeOwl]

This PC came to me with BIOS F.15 Rev A on it.

The battery is not charging and one of many reccomendations out there state that sometimes a bug in the BIOS can prevent charging. Since the latest  BIOS for this PC is BIOS F.42 Rev A it does seem that there have been several updates since it was last updated. I installed F.42 without issue but, of course, now there are problems.

When it is powered  on pressing ESC will bring up a menu - this still works. However much of what comes after has changed and not one of the changes are an improvement:

F1 = System info - still works.

F2 = Diagnostics - This was a comprehensive GUI based program, now it is text and can only test the drive and RAM.

F9 = Boot device options - no change.

F10 = Just a black screen and an underscore in the upper left corner. Nothing else, no matter how long you wait (up to an hour - at least).

F11 = Boot into Windows 10 recovery options - no change.

BIOS cannot be downgraded. Attempts to downgrade result in a message indicating that the BIOS (even the original F15) are not for this machine.

Win+B recovery states it is restoring from the backup. After it completes F1 shows BIOS is still F.42.

Is it possible to untangle this mess?

[The_Fossette · Accepted solution]

@ThirdEyeOwl,

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

I recommend you download and install the BIOS from the below link and check if it helps.

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp84501-85000/sp84839.exe

Let me know how it goes and you have a great day!

If you wish to show appreciation for my efforts, mark my post as Accept as Solution. Your feedback counts!

Cheers!

[ThirdEyeOwl]

---

@The_Fossette wrote:

I recommend you download and install the BIOS from the below link and check if it helps.

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp84501-85000/sp84839.exe

That worked, thank you.

I realize it would be a seperate post but... what do you know about the BIOS for an Envy 20 Touchsmart? It's another machine that once had a VERY bad BIOS update issue.

Feel up to a true challenge?

[sandytechy20]

@ThirdEyeOwl

Provide the correct product number so that I can get you the correct BIOS update.

Cheer.

[ThirdEyeOwl]

Hi Sandy,

I am ready but do you want to continue in this thread and hijack it or should I start a new one?

[The_Fossette]

@ThirdEyeOwl,

Please let me know the product details of your computer and I will help you with the latest available BIOS for your computer.

Follow the steps in the below article to find the product details.

https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c00033108

Good day!

[ThirdEyeOwl]

HP Envy 20 Touchsmart

Model #: 20-d013w

Product #: H3Z91AA#ABA

Issue: When updating to BIOS Version: 8.16 Rev.A (sp69893.exe) the BIOS was written but the PC froze during the verification.

I left the PC alone for three days, even though I knew that if it didn't recover in less than an hour it wouldn't. After three days I power cycled it.

                                                                     It did not/has not/will not boot since.

It does not complete POST.  BIOS recovery options -such as Win+B at power on with the BIOS files in root of a USB stick do nothing.  iirc Win or CTRL + UP and Down is supposed to recover BIOS to onboard backup - this also does not work.

I even followed these steps (HERE). Most of the time I could not even read the BIOS. When I finally stabilized my setup and could read all attempts to write failed. It seems that the instructions for the 23 are missing something critical for recovery on a 20.

Any help would be welcomed.

[The_Fossette]

@ThirdEyeOwl,

Thank you for the information.

I see that the latest BIOS available for your computer is 8.15 Rev. A and it is for Windows 8.1 operating system. 

Below is the link to download this BIOS.

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp66501-67000/sp66940.exe

I recommend you download and install the BIOS from the above link and check if it helps.

If you wish to show appreciation for my efforts, mark my post as Accept as Solution. Your feedback counts!

Cheers!

[ThirdEyeOwl]

So I downloaded SP66940.exe onto a working PC. It attempted to install but it failed because this PC is not compatible.

What would you like me to do with the .bin and .rom files that were extracted from SP66940?

[The_Fossette]

@ThirdEyeOwl,

I recommend you contact support to further diagnose the issue.

Here is how you can get in touch with tech support.

1)Click on this link – www.hp.com/contacthp/

2)Select the product type.

3)Enter the serial number of your device or select let HP detect your product option.

4)Select the country from the drop-down.

5)You should see the HP phone support number or Chat option listed.

Cheers!