Can't Downgrade Bios

[ravegeek]

I want to downgrade my bios due to some EFI boot problems(Won't find my M.2 drive in EFI secure mode) but have exhaustied all my options. My laptop is a HP Envy - 15t-as100 CTO and is out of warranty. The current bios with the problem is F.54 and I want to downgrade to F.53.  Here is what I tried via Google.

1. First thing I tried is downgrading thru the bios file I downloaded off the HP website. In the menu the first option(Update) was greyed out so I created a USB recovery drive. I rebooted but the laptop did not find the flash drive bootable. I tried the USB drive on another computer long enough to see that it did boot.

2. Second thing I tried is the F2 option on boot-up with the rescue drive still in the computer. I found the bios under the HP->bios->Current folder. I tried both BIOS Rollback and BIOS Update but always got "Unable to open BIOS Signature file". There was a file with the extension s12 with the bin file. I also tried other older bios versions but always got the signature file error.

3. Lastly I tried the WinKey + B method. I never got anything on the display and no audiable beeps. However I did see the USB drive light up(being accessed) and the Caps Lock key kept flashing 2 blinks over and over but I don't know what that means. I did hold down the two keys for up to a minute. I used the USB recovery drive for this.

I tried countless variations on these 3 methods over hours and hours. I can get the laptop to boot if I disable secure mode and enable legacy mode in the bios.

[Riddle_Decipher]

@ravegeek

Welcome to HP Forums, 

This is a great place to get support, find answers and tips, 

Thank you for posting your query, I'll be more than glad to help you out 🙂 

As I understand you are attempted to downgrade the BIOS and need assistance with the same,

I'd like to thank you for the detailed description of your concern,

 as you have ensured I don't have to ask any more questions, that said, if you've already completed all the steps mentioned on this link: https://hp.care/2rZhONT

And yet the issue persists, I recommend you Contact HP to have the motherboard flashed as there are no other options to get this done:

Also, before you do give them a call, please check with an alternate SSD to ensure it isn't faulty.

HP Support can be reached by clicking on the following link:  

* Open link:  https://hp.care/2moMFSc

* Enter Product number or select to auto detect

* Scroll down to "Still need help? Complete the form to select your contact options"

* Scroll down and click on HP contact options - click on Get a Case & phone number.

They will be happy to assist you immediately. 

If the unit is under warranty repair services under the manufacturer's warranty will be free of charge.

If you would like to thank me for my efforts to help you, 

feel free to give me a virtual high-five by clicking the 'Thumbs Up' icon below, 

Followed by clicking on the "Accept as solution".

Have a great day!

[ravegeek]

Well there is no case number option so I'm here for support. BTW, warranty expired.

[ravegeek]

As for the troubleshooting links listed in the URL posted I did try those(I think the 1, 2, and 3 points in my post correspond to those troubleshooting steps) without success.

[sandytechy20]

@ravegeek

I see that you were interacting with @Riddle_Decipher. I'd like to help.

Thanks for the reply. 

I appreciate your time and effort.

Let me know which country you belong to in private message, so that I can get you the phone support number.

Cheers.

[ravegeek]

I called tech support and they said to contact my local technician because they cannot support downgrading my bios. I am a local technician so that really does not help me.

I'd be greatful for any more help on this.

[sandytechy20]

@ravegeek

Thank you for posting replying to my post on the HP Support Forums,

I have brought your issue to the attention of an appropriate team within HP.

They will contact you shortly and likely request information from you in order to look up your case details or product serial number.

Please look for a private message from an identified HP contact.

Additionally, keep in mind not to publicly post personal information (such as serial numbers and case details).

Cheers.

[ravegeek]

Well I just was told today that the concensus among the HP techs that looked at my problem was probably wait until a new bios version comes out(if it comes out). My other option is to buy a replacement system board(laptop is out of warranty) which is going for ~$260 on Ebay.

Something I didn't mention because I thought it would have little to no merit on my problem is that it originally came with a 1TB HDD. I upgraded to a Samsung 950 Pro 512GB and a Seagate 1TB Firecuda SSHD which all worked fine until I put this new bios on the laptop.

[ravegeek]

When I create a bootable recovery usb key I only get the .bin and .s12 bios files, shouldn't I also get a .sig file?

[ravegeek]

Well noticed there's finally a bios update so I went ahead and applied it but the laptop will still NOT find the M.2 drive on bootup in secure mode so either the new bios is bad in the same way or there's a hardware problem. Either way it looks like the only fix is a new system board which is about $250 on Ebay since the laptop is out of warranty.