why cant i download a bios update for my G7-2240US?

[Ripanykhazova]

I am having to install a new HDD and dont have an OS on it yet. I lost my OS with the old drive so I will probably have to use Linux.  (WIndows 8 is shown on a label but with no product key or, obviously, install/recovery discs/partition)

But suddenly I cant get the computer's bios  to see the hard drive. So i have tried to update the BIOS from the ancient v 25 which is on it now. But HP doesnt seem to list ANY BIOSs or updates and I just got sent in circles when I tried to search or use tools to get one!

(Starting from a live Linux DVD shows the drive but the old bios prevents me from doing anything with it)

HNY

Amanda

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi, Amanda:

Unfortunately, the only way to update the BIOS is in Windows.

As far as reinstalling W8...you can install W8.1 for free using the W8 product key in your notebook's BIOS if Windows sees the hard drive...

So, give this a try...

Install W8.1 by creating the Microsoft installation media, using another Windows PC, if yours is not working...You want W8.1 64 bit.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows8ISO

If you are asked to enter a product key during the installation process, use this generic key.

This is the generic key for W8.1 'Standard.'

334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT

When you get to the screen that asks 'Where do you want to install Windows,' delete every partition on the hard drive, leaving just one partition of unallocated space. Click Next, and W8.1 should begin to install.

If you had to enter the generic key, manually change the generic product key to the W8 key in your PC's BIOS in the PC settings menu.

After you get W8.1 installed, and you had to manually enter the W8.1 generic product key, you will need to run the free utility I zipped up and attached below, that will show you show the W8 product key in your PC's BIOS.

I have also zipped up and attached below, the Microsoft tool which hopefully will transfer the ISO file to a DVD or USB flash drive so it is bootable.

Then you can install the available drivers and software from your PC's support page.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/HP-Pavilion-g7-2200-Notebook-PC-series/5296086/mode...

BTW:  The latest BIOS update is F.27 from Sep 12, 2016.  It was only written to be run in W8.

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp77501-78000/sp77532.exe

[Ripanykhazova]

 Thank you for that but I must be doing something wrong. I downloaded the 8.1 64 bit iso, burned it to USB but what do I do now? I cant boot off the install USB disc I created, and cant to a recovery start because all I get on the next screen is NO BOOT DISC FOUND. I booted back into Linux and can see all the 8.1 install files on it AND a setup.exe file! Should I get to a command prompt, and if so, how please?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Did you use the Microsoft tool that I zipped up and attached, or the free Rufus utility that you have to use that will make the ISO file bootable?

You can't just copy it to a USB drive or it won't be bootable.

Then to boot from a USB flash drive...

Have it plugged into a USB port.

Turn on or restart the PC.

Immediately tap the ESC key at the beginning of the HP welcome screen to get the menu of options.

Select the F9 boot options menu, and from that select the USB flash drive and press the enter key.

The PC should boot from the flash drive.

If that doesn't work, go into the BIOS, enable legacy mode and disable secure boot.

Then boot from the Legacy USB flash drive.

See this link for the settings to change.

https://www.support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03736054/

[Ripanykhazova]

Thanks for that, you were right, there was nothing wrong with your instructions, it was the way I was carrying them out which was the problem as well as the point that I hadn't seen your attachments.

I had been trying to burn the ISO to USB using USB Image Writer, which was burning successfully (no, obviously I wasn't just copying the ISO to USB and expecting it to boot!!) but for some reason the app didn't result in a bootable USB stick.

The Microsoft tool resulted in some arcane error message about installing the .net framework 2.0, where the computer I was using already has .4.5 installed.    But Rufus did the trick.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Glad you were able to get the installation media created.

Were you able to reinstall W8.1 using the info I posted?

[Ripanykhazova]

Yes, definitely.   Windows 8.1 is now installed and working, though it is as klunky (compared to Mint coming out of the liveDVD) as one might expect.

I am now wondering whether I should follow the instructions which appeared on CNET a few weeks ago which suggested that the free upgrade path to Windows 10 was still working? 

Or maybe I should  just update the BIOS and then install LinuxMint 19.3 if I want a totally up to date, bulletproof system.  Mint installs something called GRUB which allows me to boot into either operating system at will.

(I think it is reasonably clear that HP wont be issuing any newer BIOS updates if there haven't been any since 2016!)

[Paul_Tikkanen]

That's great.

I would give the free upgrade to W10 a try.  

I used that info and upgraded a Dell business desktop PC from W8.1 to W10 in July of last year.

All I did was click on the blue update now button at the link below, and selected the option "I do not have a product key' when I was asked to enter one.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10