Ghost Touches (like crazy) HP Spectre x360 Firmware issue

[Isak1]

Laptop Type: HP Spectre x360 13"

ProdNo: 13-ac084no (NO because it's Norwegian Keyboard Layout)

Warranty: Expired, as I've owned it for around 1.5y.

My Issue:

“Touch Screen Ghost Touches” / “Phantom Touches”

When my Touch Screen Driver is activated, it clicks all the time in a vertical line in the middle

of my screen - Making my laptop unusable while driver is activated. This is also activated while in BIOS.

See my video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIh7JeAp1k0

Here I try to reinstall Windows while issue persists. I also try disabling the driver once it’s installed which is very hard to do while this issue is going on.

What likely caused the issue:

While looking for a solution to the HP Spectre’s known issue of having a slight delay before you can do anything else after using the touch screen; I stumbled upon a forum post that had a driver that worked for the 15” version of my laptop.

So I downloaded the driver (link: sp79862 ) without giving it much thought.

Shortly after installing it, my touch screen went “bananas” - clicking everywhere.

This is also a known issue about my type of laptop aparently, as I’m reading the “solution threads” about this; such as this one.

What have I tried to do to fix the issue:

Before trying anything, I instantly did a clean delete and reinstall Windows through the Windows 10 Boot option - Thinking it was a virus.

Nothing changed, and it even was clicking around while my PC was installing Windows.

• Since then I’ve reinstalled Windows a lot of times after every failed attempt to do anything.

I have disabled the driver (HID-Compliant Touch Screen), then everything but the touch function works perfectly (since its disabled). I have uninstalled the driver, but it reinstalls itself and starts "ghost touching" again on next boot.

I have uninstalled ALL drivers and reinstalled all from the HPs website (including BIOS).

I have changed power options (as suggested on a lot of sites addressing this issue), both "auto-refreshrate" and "fast boot" is turned off.

I’ve uninstalled and reinstalled all drivers through Windows Safe Boot.

Updated Windows.

Updated all drivers through professional driver update software. Hoping that it would spot a driver that isnt available on the HP website... Didnt help.

I’ve changed BIOS to reset to default (shipping state) - didn't do anything.

Tried downgrading BIOS both 1 and 2 "generations" back - 2 generations disabled Touch Function completely, but 1 generation didnt do anything. This makes the laptop usable as a laptop, but since I bought this type of laptop mainly for it's touch function - I need it to work!

I've tried downloading firmware drivers (such as "HP FHD Touchscreen Controller Firmware Update" sp79383 ) from a lot of different versions of my laptop (There is TONS of versions; see this link for the full list ). Sadly when trying to install these, I get the message: 

FW ID=11206

Matching FW ID. . .  11206

Not matched FW IDs. . .Check FW ID FAILED

Press any key to continue . . . 

While being frustrated about this issue, I made myself another issue.

Using a Partition Software I tried wiping my C drive hoping this would reset Windows and all the issues completely. Sadly it just wiped my Windows, and not fixing the issue.

I reinstalled Windows using USB from the Microsoft Media Creation Tool .

This sadly just installed a regular “Windows”, and not the "HP version of Windows". This is a smaller issue, that I’ll look into later.

I've tried being as detailed as I possibly can. If you have any more questions; PLEASE don't hessitate to write them below. I'll happily assisst with what I can - in hope of fixing this issue.

[CherylG]

@Isak1

Unfortunately, as you have discovered- no amount of reinstalling Windows and/or drivers will fix this. The firmware you used flashed the controller at a hardware level- will require repair at a hardware level.I have seen more than one Spectre 13 ruined by using that firmware.

The Agent did caution- Please ensure that your notebook falls in the category of computers listed before downloading it.

[Isak1 · Accepted solution]

Thanks to the good help of a YouTube video addressing this issue, and someone who's been struggling with this issue for a YEAR talking with HP etc - I got the right firmware for my Laptop.

Big shoutout to MRAnasAnderson (on YouTube) who helped me with his right firmware update (youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBLrzjYD1yQ&lc=z235vtjoly32fhazx04t1aokgvtvw0nh02aw5lld33tybk0h00410... )

Again. Thank you!

If you're also struggling with this issue - these files will help you if you have a HP Spectre x360 13" ac0XXX version. Keep in mind Firmware is very sensitive. So make sure it's the right PC version you're using.

[CherylG]

@Isak1

Glad to hear you found a working firmware. It evidently is one sent to him by HP specifically for the Spectre 13 acoxx series.

Word of caution by the author to any who stumble upon this thread. 

This is the solution to 13" Spectre x360 ac0XXX version. You might have to look elsewhere for other versions.

I would suggest that you Edit and  put that warning at the  beginning of your Solution above. Many people will do as you did with the other firmware- not read the whole post and just jump on the fix posted.