Updating BIOS for an old HP Laptop

[Alarstor]

Hey, i've been circling this entire website for solution to update my BIOS. My current version is Insyde F.1A from 2015 is too limiting, and there are barely any options.

Last year i was trying to update it to no avail, any attempts to update the BIOS with the provided exe resulted in a software block and the like, it wasn't until now that i'm aware of a removed HP software after reinstalling Windows might interfere with the software ability, i forgot what it was but, the exe couldn't do its thing. Which okay, i will continue later, but to my surprise exactly as of January this year, every drivers, BIOS, and support for my laptop are all gone.

This won't be a problem until i had to check the BIOS PCIE speed configuration, due to the discrete graphics speed is halved to PCIE Gen 2 x4 when it should be PCIE Gen 3 x8 at max capabilities, which the basic BIOS does not have the option of, nor is it even shows any info regarding anything other than simple boot order, virtualization, and security. Although i didn't know if the latest BIOS provides that, I will at least give it a try if I can.

I've installed HP Support Assistant, asking the Virtual chat bot, confirming my serial number (which the website refused to acknowledge it exist even when the Support Assistant literally confirming it), and i couldn't contact HP number because i'm not American. Please if anyone able to help, it will be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Specs:

• Model: HP 14-ac144tx
• CPU: Intel Core i3-5005U
• iGPU: Intel HD Graphics 5500
• GPU: AMD R5 M330
• OS: Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 21H2 19044.1288
• BIOS: Insyde F.1A 10/13/2015

[Paul_Tikkanen]

HP retired support for the model series since it is more than 10 years old.

Updating the BIOS will not allow you to access any additional features than what you have now.

The BIOS is locked,

[Alarstor]

Well, that's unfortunate.

Thank you for the link, although the description says it's only for:

• HARDWARE PRODUCT MODEL(S):
  HP Notebook 15g
  HP Notebook 15q
  HP 250 G4 Notebook PC
  HP 256 G4 Notebook PC

How can i confirmed if it's the correct BIOS for my 14-ac144tx laptop? Frankly, i could not even find the model series lineup, and HP naming convention is a bit confusing, to say the least.

[Alarstor]

Hold on, if the HP 250 G4 equivalent to the 15 series, how is it related to my 14 series? 

Or are the 14-ac1xx and the 15-ac0xx the same??

Just to make sure, this is the page for my model:

HP Notebook - 14-ac144tx Software and Driver Downloads | HP® Support 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Yes, big mistake on my part.

I'll have to look to see if there is a BIOS update for your model series.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

I don't trust the information I am finding.

This site shows a BIOS version F.14 for the 14-ac100.

HP 14t-ac100 CTO BIOS

HP 240 G4 Notebook PC Software and Driver Downloads | HP® Support

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Doing a search on the forum, I came across this post:

hp 14-ac104la flash bios update via USB drive - HP Support Community - 5609233

The person references this BIOS update--sp74826.

Here are the info and exe file links to that update which appears to be slightly newer than the one you have installed.

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp74501-75000/sp74826.html

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp74501-75000/sp74826.exe 

So, here's the question I will leave you with...

The sp74826 update was on the 14-ac104la's support page at the time of the post.

Notice that the release notes indicate the update was good for the HP Notebook 14g, HP Notebook 14q, HP 240 G4 Notebook PC, and HP 246 G4 Notebook PC.

Those are the same models referenced on the 240 G4's support page's BIOS updates.

So, maybe these BIOS updates from the 240 G4 will work on the 14-ac100?

[Alarstor]

That is certainly possible, but what are even the differences between 144tx, 104la? Without full confirmation, i feel uneasy updating it, considering i'm not equipped to manually flash the BIOS in case of bricking.

I'll continue researching if there's an archive for this model page on my own, and i seem to recall i still have the failed update .exe somewhere, i'll update this thread if i find anything.

In the meantime, thank you for your help.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

The difference between the 144tx and the 104la is mainly where the notebook is sold for use.

tx, is Asia and la is Mexico, Central America and South America.

In other words, a BIOS update from one 14-ac1xx support page will work on every other 14-ac1xx.

I certainly agree with you that updating the BIOS from the 14-ac100 does carry some risk.

You can see on the 14-ac100 support page that the service manual covers all of the notebooks referenced.

support.hp.com/us-en/product/setup-user-guides/hp-14-ac100-notebook-pc-series/8499318

The 14-ac is identified as 'HP Notebook.'

I'm surprised the user guides page still exists.