Rollback BIOS after Intel Spectre Flaw

[MDDI]

Hello,

I flashed the BIOS on 1/18/18 to version 01.13. There is flaw with the Intel Spectre vunerability code. 

On 1/25/18 HP pulled the BIOS updates that contained the buggy Intel code and rolled them back to previous updates without the buggy code. 

The HP driver site now shows BIOS version 01.08 for my system. Should I flash the BIOS back to the older version?

If so I thought you could not flash back to older BIOS versions? Will it successfully flash?

Cheers!

[CherylG]

@MDDI

No way to say with certainty if you can reflash back to previous version. On some versions it actually blocks reverting . There should be another BIOS update at some point.If you are not having problems with the update I would just wait. If you are having problems try the previous version.

[MDDI]

Appreciate the reply, guess I will wait to see when a new BIOS update is posted. Surprised HP has not created a notice concerning what to do if you flash a BIOS update before it is removed.

Thanks,

Mark

[CherylG · Accepted solution]

HP did release a Security bulletin and updated it after they removed the updated BIOS files. Not really that evident to all owners I'm sure. You might want to keep an eye on it for date your new BIOS update is available.

https://support.hp.com/gb-en/document/c05869091

[VJ61]

From my personal experience, I can't update Windows without BIOS being updated first. I spent many hours, watching YouTube video's trying different things. My son helped me finally get the BIOS updated, & then Windows 10 updated, but then 2 days later the issue was back.

Windows couldn't update because Bios needed another update.

This is causing me serious life problems as I am a caregiver for my severely disabled grandaughter who also lives with me. I am her legal guardian. I had to quit my full-time job 18 years ago to get custody of her as Child Services was taking my grandchildren away from my son & his wife. So, this is our income.

She has been home sick for almost 2 weeks, so I can't go to a library to take my required online classes, or to report hours worked.

I purchased this laptop approximately 1 year ago to take online classes and report my hours. Now the warranty has just expired. I am so dissappointed.  And now the issue arises. 

And the Virtual Assistant is "NO" Help.  I paid extra money for this laptop, thinking HP has a good reputation & I'd be good for a few years at least.  Today when I went to their Virtual Assistant it was just a waste of time. I am so dissapointed in Hewlett Packard. I don't have money to buy a new computer.

I don't know what we're going to do.

I have to update  Windows 10 or my courses don't work right. I couldn't believe they wanted $40 a "special" low price for a one time real assistant to help you trouble shoot the problem. What "Crappy" treatment of customers. Most businesses want to keep their customers happy so they keep coming back.

We need to report this to "Consumer Reports", the Better Business Bureau, the Insurance Commissioner, so they can be  investigated. This is just wrong for a Multi-million dollar company to treat customers this way.   

There doesn't appear to be a reliable solution to this problem. I will never purchase any product from Hewlett Packard ever again. 

[CherylG]

@VJ61

Sorry to hear of the problems and I wish I had the solution. Unfortunately, this situation of BIOS updates being required is not of HP's doing. They scramble every time Microsoft releases an update that demands a BIOS update-for whatever reason.

Now the lack of BIOS updates is a twofold issue- also not of HP's doing. The recent security vulnerablity of Intel (and AMD) processors that was uncovered required Intel to release new microcode for BIOS updates released by manufacturers such as HP,Dell,etc.

In the haste of patching these security vulerabilities-Intel had some mis-steps is only way I know to put it and the new code was causing other widespread problems. Reboots, system instabilty,etc and advised HP and other companies to stop deployment of microcode to customers. Now HP must wait for Intel before they can issue a BIOS update with proper microcode.

It is explained here:

https://security-center.intel.com/advisory.aspx?intelid=INTEL-SA-00088&languageid=en-fr

I understand the frustration and anger but it is directed at the wrong culprit this time. No,I don't work for HP and  I am never shy to condemn HP when/if something is their doing.

[CF4]

Hi

""I have to update  Windows 10 or my courses don't work right.""

In what respect?

If it is a Browser based course then there should be other browser's available.

If it "Flash" based , then updates are essential.

If you could indicate/link to the courses concerned there may be an alternative option.

[MDDI]

CherlG,

I have done some reading about the Spectre and Meltdown vunerabilities. Seems Intel has stated that the long term fix for this is silicon based and all of us with earlier CPU's and chipsets will continue to have the vunerability?

Intel said they expect a new on die upgrade before the end of 2018 to address the security flaw. Will this mean a whole new CPU and chipset geberation?

What does that mean for those of us that purchased a new PC within the last one or two years? Looks as though we should prepare to replace our new PC's?

Mark