Windows 11 seems to be MIA after update on 6-19-24

[yogi65]

Okay, I've got an HP 17t cn000 Laptop, purchased in 3/19/22, which has a 1TB HDD and a 1TB SSD, and 32GB of memory.

I installed an update on shutdown [6/19/24] that included a BIOS update--didn't touch it, left it alone, the computer shut down.  I know it's called a UEFI now, which I can access, but when I do it mentions BIOS several times, so I guess you can have a UEFI and still have a BIOS??

I tried all of the recovery options, backing out of update?  Says it can't.  Tried reinstalling Windows 11.  Can't find old version so no way José.  I made a recovery USB stick on this computer, also Windows 11, and tried it.  But it won't repair or do a fresh install due to it still not being able to find any installed version.

I've gotten the "Install a Windows version" message several times.  So either the update made it impossible for the boot to "see" Windows, or it somehow deleted it.  And it really did not have time for that, I don't think.

I used the F2 key on boot, checked the processor, did long checks of both memory and both 1TB hard drives, I checked the motherboard--everything.  It all checked out okay.

Worst thing of all, the BIOS (a29, says v. 2.2.8.0) came with some adjoining paperwork (or pdf/work) that says I can't back out.  But I'd love to be able to "try" to go back to the previous version.

I ordered a stick for repairing from Amazon so I've still got that to try.  But right now I've got a $1100 paperweight.  Any ideas?

[BeemerBiker]

Try setting default values in bios

Tap the ESC key after powering on. . Tap it once a second after you see the LEDs on the keyboard flash. When you see the startup menu, press F10 to enter bios.  I understand that you press F2 and the disk and system passed all test.
Do not allow any updates if disk or memory fail, especially a BIOS update.
You should see an image like the following.

When you get into the BIOS set press the function key that sets the bios to the default values. I think it is F9.

Exit the bios setup and be sure to save settings.

Does system boot ok?

You mentioned BIOS a29 2.2.8.0 but I do not see that bios anywhere

I looked up 17t-cn000 and only found this

https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/product-specs/hp-17.3-inch-laptop-pc-17-c0000/model/2100802851

The product ID is 3T000AV and that laptop has cloud recovery for the USA

Please verify your full product ID is 3T000AV#ABA

The lastest BIOS for the laptop with product ID 3T000AV seems to be F.29 dated May 28, 2024. 

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/hp-17.3-inch-laptop-pc-17-c0000/model/2100802851?sku=3T000AV

If you need to install windows then use the cloud recovery I mentioned.

Go to the below site and enter your product ID including the 3 characters after the # character
If you have cloud recovery you can restore your system using a 32gb flash.
It may take an hour or more to create the recovery USB.
https://d34z73bbtpzgej.cloudfront.net/

Click here for instructions.

[yogi65]

Sorry, I saw A29 somewhere, but this has F.29, so I have the correct BIOS.

I might try that cloud thing if it works.  I don't have a 32 GB flash drive so I'll try to rustle one up.  I guess you download it here and then boot the other computer to it?  I hope it doesn't require that the OS be "seen" like everything else because it is not being found.  I don't know what happened but the OS Is MIA.

[yogi65]

Okay, found a drive, downloaded the cloud OS, set it to boot from USB--got a blue screen first time, and it looks like it froze the last time.

I might not have added #ABA after my product number before creating USB stick,  What does that do?

[yogi65]

I do the cloud backup and it formats and copies the image onto the HD--it says "Don't add any devices at this time," which I say cool, okay.

But it never clearly says when I need to remove the USB drive--nor does it say I should set the BIOS back to boot from boot loader, if I do remove it.

It feels like I  should  remove it after it copies the files to the drive.  I just wonder why it never says "Remove the USB stick now."  It's frozen on the HP screen with half a rotating circle below it, now.  The USB drive isn't blinking so it isn't being accessed.  And why would it be, once all of the files are copied.

And is it possible this hard drive could check out fine with the system test, but not be good?  The bottop of the laptop felt very hot--not quite burn your fingers hot, but warmer than I would've expected.

[BeemerBiker]

Did you go into the BIOS and set defaults?  Also, check that secure boot and TPM are enabled. 

When you put the USB in and booted your laptop, it should have loaded the USB.  If not then press F9 (F12 ?) during boot and select the USB.  Unless I am mistaken, the cloud install should have notified you there was an OS on the disk and ask permission to replace it.

HP releases newer UEFI diagnostics periodically.
When you select F2 during boot you are requesting UEFI diagnostics.

There is an updated diagnostics package here
https://support.hp.com/us-en/help/hp-pc-hardware-diagnostics
Look for the phrase 'issues outside the OS',
Expand the'+'symbol and click the DOWNLOAD button.
The version of the UEFI diagnostics is shown at the left of that DOWNLOAD button.
When you press F2 to run diagnostics please ensure the version is the new one.

The newer diagnostics might be better.

[yogi65]

I successfuly made the cloud USB, set it to boot from the stick, and started it.

Several times, after making a few choices, it formats the drive, and then copies the Windows files to the HD.

Upon reboot, it just sits there doing nothing--I tried it first with the USB drive left in there (since it did not instruct me to remove it) and it didn't work.  Then I did the whole process and tried it after removing the USB.

It either froze at the HP screen with the progress wheel, or just sat there blankly.

So IF my hard drive is good, as it tested, it makes me think the drive can save stuff, but it's having a hard time reading what the Cloud USB stick has copied to the Hard Drive.  It really looked like it was going to work for a while.

I just think it's weird that this happened right after a Windows Update, and that the update included a BIOS (or UEFI) update.  I guess the whole BIOS thing is about how the computer inputs and outputs things--so if there is some setting that is wrong, if it's looking in the wrong place, that could be the problem.  But I don't know jack about fixing that.

Watched a thing about MBRs and my eyes started to glaze a little (Ha).  Thanks for trying to help.  Haven't given up yet--don't like the idea of an $1100 paperweight.

[BeemerBiker]

Look at the label on your system and verify the product ID is 3T000AV#ABA

If is is then the update should have worked.

There is a big difference between BIOS and UEFI upgrade.

A BIOS upgrade should only be done when the HP Support Assistant recommends it.

If you did a windows update and microsoft put in a BIOS then try to recovery the original bios using the "B" method

HP support video for bios recovery

Click here to see how to recover your BIOS.
Do 1, 2, and the first part of 3.

If the above does not help then take the system to a shop for repair.

Click here to check warranty
and
Click here for world-wide contact info
Or contact the closest authorized service center

[yogi65]

Thanks for all of your help.  The cloud backup seemed promising, I made the stick, it looked like it was going to work, and then it just froze at some point.

I got this rebuild 64MB Kingston stick from Amazon.  I figured it would fail, too.  Surprisingly, it managed to get Windows back.

I'm missing my D-drive, the 1TB SSD gumstick that's plugged into the motherboard. (M2 slot).  It shows as BUILDPART (D:) but is a FAT32 file and properties show it as being around 1GB, not 1TB.  Disk Manager doesn't seem to see it at all.

Any ideas on getting it working again?

[BeemerBiker]

I need to know what memory and drives are in your system as the specification does not list any.  The illustrated parts list shows options which is not helpful enough.

Pease run the following and report back what they show for your drives.  I need to know if you have Optane memory or not.  

Using the windows command prompt,  run the following command and report back what it reveals

wmic diskdrive get model, size, mediaType, status

for example

When you do a cloud restore you need to have the bios set back to the defaults and (usually) need to have the same devices as factory installed.

Did you verify that the label on the laptop or the etching on the bottom of the case show 

3T000AV#ABA ?

 I guessed at the product ID and  you need to use the one on your laptop case.  You also need the correct serial number from your system.

Did you install and run the UEFI diagnostics?  Did the disk drive and memory pass the F2 diagnostics?