(HP 15-f039wm) Can't update the BIOS.

[sgodun]

When I started this adventure, the laptop was originally running BIOS F.03 and Windows 8.1. I downloaded the most current BIOS (F.42rA) from HP. The downloaded file shows up as an EXE file. Running it puts a typical HP “SWSetup” folder on the drive with the appropriate bits inside. About a minute after running the downloaded EXE, the utility runs. I have the option of updating the BIOS so I do so. It goes through a “copying” motion then tells me I need to restart, along with a restart button. I click it and the computer restarts — way too quickly for a BIOS update to have been performed. I get to the desktop, shut down, and start up again to get into the BIOS, and sure enough it’s still on F.03.

The updater utility (InsydeFlash.exe) also claims to have the ability to create a bootable USB drive to flash the BIOS of a corrupted machine. I ran through that process but the USB drive isn’t bootable; there’s just a couple of folders containing what are theoretically the BIOS update files.

While trying to troubleshoot this I downloaded older versions of the BIOS updater, all with later versions of the BIOS than in my laptop. All of them behaved the same way. Out of increasing desperation I downloaded the F.02 updater, even though I knew it would be a downgrade from the F.03 I was already running. The F.02 updater ACTUALLY FLASHED the BIOS and I'm now running F.02. Sadly, however, HP doesn't even offer an F.03 for download so now I'm downgraded and STILL don't have a solution.

I have tried resetting the BIOS to its default settings, clean-installing Windows 8.1, clean-installing Windows 10, replacing the hard drive, and replacing the memory. Nothing works. There is no other apparent way to update the BIOS. What’s the trick to getting this laptop to update its BIOS?

Here is the "InsydeFlash.Log" file from the last time I ran the F.42rA updater:

--- Log started: 2018/12/07 12:26:42
Insyde Flash Utility Version 5.09 IHISI v2.1.1
Initializing...
Log file: InsydeFlash.Log
M-FD: AD0 Not match FFFFFFFF & FFFFFFFF != 40000005
M-FD: FFFC0 Not match FFFFFFFF & 4D383855 != 20423855
M-FD: AD0 Not match FFFFFFFF & FFFFFFFF != 5
M-FD: FFFC0 Not match FFFFFFFF & 4D383855 != 20413855
M-FD: Match!
M-FD: FD filename 0233FF41.BIN
M-FD: INI filename U88M_BTM.ini
Settings file  : C:\SWSetup\sp88695\platform.ini (found)
Executable     : C:\SWSetup\sp88695\InsydeFlash.exe
OS Information : Microsoft Windows 8 - supported

Preparation stage

IHISI Version: 211
Allow Version: 000, Dex: 0
Current Version: F.02, Dex: 3842
Current BIOS version is bigger than the version in ini [Others] AllowVersion.
No device firmwareAllow Version: 000, Dex: 0
Current Version: F.02, Dex: 3842
Current BIOS version is bigger than the version in ini [Others] AllowVersion.
No device firmware Environment Count: 1
 Check Package: 1
 Check BIOS sign: 1
Bios Size: 0x00800000, SHA1 Sign Size: 0x00000000, SHA256 Sign Size: 0x00000100
 BIOS sign check result: 1
        Opening file C:\SWSetup\sp88695\0233FF41.BIN
File decrypted.
Reading 8388608  bytes from file starting at      0 ...
        BIOS image size: 8388608 (0x00800000)

    Error code: 3010(0x00000BC2)
Cleanup Stage
    Stage Completed
--- Log Stopped: 2018/12/07 12:32:24


    Error code: 3010(0x00000BC2)

[Echo_Lake]

@sgodun
Thank you for posting on HP Forums,

Echo_Lake is at your service.

I understand you are in need of support,

And to help you out, I'm sending out a Private message to assist you with the next course of action.

Please check your Private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Forums profile

Next, to your profile Name, you should see a little blue envelope, please click on it or simply click on this link: https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/notes/privatenotespage

[sgodun]

Thank you. There is no chat option listed on the support page, and over the past week or so that I've been struggling with this I've never had less than a projected 45 minute wait time to speak to a support representative. I don't have the ability to sit around for 45+ minutes in hopes that someone might be able to help with this. You seem confident that this issue can be resolved, so why not just post or send me the troubleshooting steps? (Keeping in mind that I've already followed 100% of the troubleshooting steps on the HP web site.) That would certainly be the most expedient solution, and by posting it publicly you will also be helping the LARGE number of other people who have had this issue.

[sgodun · Accepted solution]

Thanks to user RiseFall123, this issue has been solved.

HP's BIOS update process requires HP's PC Hardware Diagnostics to be installed. With a new and/or cleaned hard drive, those diagnostics do not exist. After downloading and installing the software, I was able to install the current BIOS update and have it flash successfully.

Nowhere (that I saw) in HP's instuctions for updating the BIOS is this requirement listed.

https://www8.hp.com/us/en/campaigns/hpsupportassistant/pc-diags.html

[Echo_Lake]

@sgodun
I am glad to know that you managed to resolve the issue. Please reach out again for any further assistance.

Have a nice day ahead.

[sgodun]

"Reach out"? Like, to HP? The company who doesn't properly document their processes for their users? The company whose apparent online support MO is "call us for help, don't post here"? The company who doesn't seem to want to post publicly to help people, but instead tries to keep it in private messages?

Why in the world would I want to "reach out" to HP? If I have another problem, I'll talk to knowledgable people first.