Help Needed: HP Omen 17 Laptop BIOS Issue After Update

[ycnhdj]

My Apologies to everyone for the Delayed Feedback, I want to thank @A_Gayathri for their detailed guidance and the HP community for their support. After further research and experimentation, I was able to resolve the issue with my HP Omen 17-cb1009tx. The solution I used did not require desoldering the BIOS chip and was cost-effective. However, please note that the following steps are shared purely for informational purposes, and I take no responsibility for any risks or issues arising from them. Proceed at your discretion.

Steps I Took to Resolve the BIOS Issue

Preparation:

• I disconnected the laptop battery and removed the power source as a precautionary measure. While I’m unsure if this step was mandatory, it’s a good safety practice.

Required Tools:

• I used a SOP8/SOIC8 Test Clip to connect the BIOS chip to a CH341A USB Programmer. The kit cost approximately 8.26 EUR and was purchased from AliExpress: Link to SOP8/SOIC8 Test Clip.

BIOS Image Download:

• I downloaded the oldest BIOS version I could find for my laptop (version F.05) from the HP website: BIOS F.05 Download Link.
• My initial reason for choosing the oldest BIOS version was to troubleshoot the laptop’s internal speaker issue, which I later discovered wasn’t directly related to the BIOS. (Community members, if you’re experiencing non-working internal speakers on the Omen series, let’s discuss this further.)

Extracting the BIOS Files:

• The downloaded BIOS package provided three options: install the BIOS, create a USB recovery drive, or extract BIOS images. I chose the third option to extract the necessary BIOS files.
• Note: This package may not work on non-HP systems. If needed, use a virtual machine (e.g., VirtualBox). Also, disable core isolation features on Windows.

Flashing Software:

• I used the NeoProgrammer V2.2.0.10 software for flashing the BIOS chip: NeoProgrammer Download.
• Ensure that Windows is in Test Mode to install the required CH341A drivers. The NeoProgrammer ZIP file includes tools and instructions for driver installation.

Flashing the BIOS:

• Important Notes:
  • There are warnings online about potential issues due to voltage mismatches. In my experience, these concerns were unfounded because the current through the pins is minimal.
  • Ensure the clip is securely attached to the BIOS chip to avoid read/write errors.
• Detect the IC by clicking "Detect IC", and select the detected chip.
• (Optional) Back up the current BIOS content by clicking "Read IC" and saving it. Perform multiple reads and compare the outputs using a tool like HexCmp to ensure accuracy.
• Erase the chip using the "Erase IC" button.
• Open the appropriate BIOS file (e.g., 08748.bin—I found the filename in the logs of the Win + B USB flashing process).
• Flash the BIOS by clicking "Write IC."

Post-Flash Results:

• After successfully flashing the BIOS, I removed the clip, reassembled the laptop, and powered it on. The flashed BIOS reprogrammed the EC to the corresponding version automatically. The system then booted with a message about "Unlock Mode."

• This message can be resolved by restoring the serial number to the laptop. If needed, you can find guides online. (Personally, I chose to ignore it, as it doesn’t affect functionality.)

Additional Notes:

• DXDiag now shows only the board ID instead of the system model. This can also be fixed by addressing the serial number and "Unlock Mode" issue.

Bonus: A Cool Project for HP Omen Users

During the process of researching and fixing this issue, I came across an interesting and useful open-source project specifically designed for HP Omen laptops: OmenMon.

Thank you again for all the help and suggestions provided by the HP community. I hope this post can assist others facing similar BIOS-related challenges. If anyone has further insights on resolving the internal speaker issue, I’d appreciate the input.

Best regards,
ycinhdj

[ycnhdj]

@InfectedByMax

F.04 Rev.A

May 31, 2021

11.1 MB

Download

F.21 Rev.A

Sep 9, 2021

11.0 MB

Download

F.25 Rev.A

Dec 21, 2021

11.0 MB

Download

F.26 Rev.A

Feb 11, 2022

11.0 MB

Download

F.30 Rev.A

Apr 11, 2022

11.2 MB

Download

F.31 Rev.A

Aug 31, 2022

11.2 MB

Download

F.41 Rev.A

Oct 3, 2022

10.8 MB

Download

F.42 Rev.A

Dec 2, 2022

11.2 MB

Download

F.43 Rev.A

Mar 9, 2023

11.2 MB

Download

F.44 Rev.A

May 9, 2023

11.2 MB

Download

F.45 Rev.A

Sep 20, 2023

11.2 MB

Download

F.46 Rev.A

Nov 14, 2023

11.2 MB

Download

F.47 Rev.A

Apr 16, 2024

11.2 MB

Download

These are the previous BIOS Versions of your laptop from this page.

Use this latest BIOS version to do a win + b bios flash method to figure out the board ID of your motherboard. You will find a log file in the USB after the flash Is complete, there you will find the ID. In your case, it should be "88F4", if not, share the ID, further search would be required.

[Bosher]

Thats what you pay for ... same script for any issue

Roll back your bios using Qflash ... 

Dont update it again it will save you the scripted message and the hours wasted trying ;0)

try the same script the give for any bios issues here

HP Notebook PCs - Recovering the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) | HP® Support

or strip you machine as i had to and remove the battery  if it doesnt work (no how to for this ) 

Then hard reset might work - then roll back bios to previous ( day you bought it)

Factory reset win 11 if its still a bag you dont wanna smell anymore ?

good luck guys

(Still waiting for an apology or an explanation for my post HP ) ?

[Bosher]

No user regardless of experience or innocence should have to go through that test of abilities when you have paid enough and updated as i did through HP software ?

Honestly ....

[Sejacak]

Can these files be flashed onto the microchip? I’m dealing with a similar issue where my BIOS got bricked, and since I can't boot the laptop, I’m unable to use the .exe files. What I need is the raw BIOS file to directly flash onto the microchip.

[ycnhdj]

No, these files should be used on another working computer to extract the BIOS image, use the third option

(Credits go to @ub6424  for the image)

The extracted images can be flashed to the chip directly, provided they're the right ones for the board model (ID).

[Sejacak]

Well, things didnt work out as expected...
Below is the report from the repair company:
Following the step-by-step instructions provided and downloading the BIOS file from HP's website, the files were extracted from the executable provided by the company. The original file installed in the BIOS chip was read using an EPROM programmer to identify the correct file, as HP provides more than one option. The 08A13 file, with 16MB, which is compatible with the motherboard model, was used. I also reprogrammed with other files provided by HP as an attempt, but it was not effective either. I then restored the machine's original file.
They had previously told me that this method would probably not work, according to them the BIOS files in HP website are only updates, and they wont work alone, needing an original BIOS. 
Does that make sense? I have little to no experience in such a deep subject.

[ycnhdj]

• The original file installed in the BIOS chip was read using an EPROM programmer to identify the correct file
• They could simply use the Win + b method with the latest bios, read the log file in the USB, and identify the model without that much hassle. It's not clear to me how they identified the model from the bios image ?? did they reverse-engineer it?

• as HP provides more than one option. The 08A13 file, with 16MB, which is compatible with the motherboard model, was used.
• What's compatible with the motherboard model Is it the 08A13 or the 16MB ?? I hope it's the model because the size is the same for all the files, the chip itself is of that size, so the size provides no clue. I would like also to know how they identified the model from the bios file exactly. The links I sent you contain only one bios file for each version, what bios did they get from the HP website, can they share the link?

• According to them the BIOS files in HP website are only updates
• Now I don't know what they're talking about, the bin files, which are bios "images", are assumed to be updates and not full bios images. like some sort of "deltas" ??, are these update files less than the bios chip? or are they full of zeros? No, that doesn't make sense, at least to me.