Corrupt BIOS. Can't create BIOS recovery USB, can't run any HP diagnostics utilities

[Knargle]

My BIOS became corrupt when the laptop died during an update. Now, when I turn it on, the power button lights up (no flashing), the fan runs, but the screen remains black. I've tried using Esc and all the Function keys to get into some sort of BIOS/ UEFI environment, but nothing works.

So I figured I had to try to recover my BIOS.

I did the Windows + B + Power key combination, and it didn't do anything. I tried it with V instead of B - still nothing. I've tried this any number of ways, completely draining any charge between attempts, holding the Win+B keys for up to a minute - nothing.

So I figured I had to create a BIOS recovery USB, which I understand is supposed to run when I do the BIOS recovery key combination.

This is where I ran into even more frustrating difficulties. I have been completely unable to create a bootable USB. I download the BIOS .exe file from the HP website, and run it, but after accepting the license agreement and choosing the save location (I tried C: and also a removable F: USB drive), it just unpacks everything into that folder and the window promptly closes. I don't get any option to create a bootable USB, and all I get is a folder with a bunch of files, including an 'InsydeFlash.exe' which, when I attempt to run it, doesn't do anything whatsoever.

I tried this with every single BIOS file that the HP site lists for my laptop. Same problem. I suppose these BIOSes just don't support USB booting? I don't know.

Another avenue I attempted to explore is the various hardware diagnostic tools. I read somewhere that I can install e.g. the 4-in-1 diagnostic key onto the drive, and use that to... do something? But after downloading and running it, it comes up immediately with a fatal error due to corrupt internal data in the program. I tried this with a couple of the HP diagnostic programs, and I always get the same error!

Does anyone out there have any idea of how best to proceed? I've attached a screenshot of the contents of the folder that the BIOS .exe creates. I'm still optimistic that if I can manage to create a bootable USB from the contents of this folder, I might be able to recover the BIOS. I just have no idea how to go about doing so.

FYI, the bios file I'm using is sp59558.

[Lil_Boy_Blue]

Hi
Make, Model and OS please.
SKU: if possible
System SKU: N6K07EA#ABU

Please do not post Serial Numbers.

This will not work for everyone, but you may be lucky?


HP Notebooks and Mobile Workstations -
No Power, No Boot, No Display When Power Button Is Pressed



NOTE: Be sure the battery is installed in the computer and it has sufficient power before continuing. Due to the design of the Embedded Controller/Keyboard Controller, the power supply must be disconnected and the computer must be powered with battery power to reset the Embedded Controller/Keyboard Controller.

Unplug the AC power from the computer.
Press and hold the power button for more than 12 seconds.
Release the power button (after at least 12 seconds).
The computer will power on and should boot normally after releasing the power button.
Re-connect the AC power to the computer.

NOTE: In case the battery is not charging after performing the steps to reset the Embedded Controller, unplug and re-plug in the AC power again.

I am stuck...

Service Unavailable - DNS failure

The server is temporarily unable to service your request. Please try again later.

HP support page is unreachable. So cannot offer much help.

[Knargle]

Sorry, it's a HP Pavilion G6-1189sa, running Windows 10.

Product number is LZ523EA#ABU.

It sounds like it's starting up as normal - CD drive works, lights are as normal, an inserted USB flashes so presumably being read - but the screen is just black. I haven't heard any beeps at all, and haven't managed to get any beeps from my various Win+B bios recovery combinations.

[Lil_Boy_Blue]

Hi

I spy  -- 

https://support.hp.com/gb-en/product/hp-pavilion-g6-1100-notebook-pc-series/5082224/model/5119791/pr...

 https://support.hp.com/gb-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-pavilion-g6-1100-notebook-pc-series/5082224/mode...

2 BIOS files

File name:  --   sp59558.exe

File name:  --   sp60864.exe

AND it's not suitable for me, I only got this far...

C:\swsetup\sp60864>dir
24/01/2013 01:11 4,732,416 01666F66.BIN
24/01/2013 23:55 4,736,896 0166CF66.BIN
24/01/2013 23:34 4,736,896 0184DF66.BIN
24/01/2013 01:14 4,732,416 0338AF66.BIN
29/11/2010 13:52 13,312 AtpTimerInfo.dll
15/01/2008 14:25 105,886 Ding.wav
13/04/2011 20:00 241,664 FlsHook.exe
01/12/2019 15:33 29 FlsHook.txt
13/04/2011 20:00 188,416 FlsHookDll.dll
29/11/2010 13:52 944,664 FWUpdLcl.exe
13/04/2011 20:03 760,832 InsydeFlash.exe
01/12/2019 15:33 613 InsydeFlash.Log
13/04/2011 20:02 1,220,608 iscflash.dll
19/01/2011 17:10 24,960 iscflash.sys
19/01/2011 17:16 49,216 iscflashx64.sys
24/01/2013 01:29 27,999 platform.ini
29/11/2010 13:52 1,892,352 xerces-c_2_7.dll

Which I suspect covers more than 1 Main Board series.

Mind how y'go.

[Knargle]

That's another thing I was unsure of. How might I go about determining the appropriate .BIN file for my main board?

[Lil_Boy_Blue]

ELSE 

msinfo32.exe and line 16 in my case.

[Knargle]

If only. Black screen 😕 - can't see anything on the laptop in question.

[Lil_Boy_Blue]

I get the feeling I am only going to repeat what you have already tried.

Hi
Hopefully one of these documents will cover (and solve) your problem...

https://support.hp.com/ca-en/document/c00042629
https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c02693833

In some cases the automatic BIOS recovery fails because of corrupted CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) data. The CMOS stores BIOS settings. Try this procedure to reset the CMOS and recover the BIOS.

1. Turn off the computer.
2. Press and hold the Windows + V keys.
3. Still pressing those keys, press and hold the Power button on the computer for 2-3 seconds, and then release the Power button, but continue pressing and holding the Windows + V keys until the CMOS Reset screen displays or you hear beeping sounds.
   At the completion of a successful CMOS Reset, a message similar to the one below displays:
4. Press Enter to restart the computer.

Turn off the computer, and then connect the power cord.
Press and hold the Windows key and the B key at the same time, and then press and hold the power button for 2 to 3 seconds.
Release the Power button but continue pressing the Windows and B keys. You might hear a series of beeps.
The HP BIOS Update screen displays and the recovery begins automatically. Follow any on-screen prompts to continue the startup to complete the recovery.
HP BIOS Update recovery in progress

If the HP BIOS Update screen does not display, repeat the previous steps but press the Windows key and the V key. If the screen still does not display, your computer might not support the feature or there is a hard drive issue. Continue to the next step to install a BIOS recovery file from the HP website.
If the Power light turns off, the Power button was held too long. Repeat the previous steps, making sure to hold the button for only 2 to 3 seconds.

So I think I will bow out, before I say something stupid.