I need to update the BIOS on this little old laptop.

[Modulion]

I put Windows 7 Professional 64 bit on this little notebook last week.  It is an old notebook I received for Christmas 2009 that I really didn't use much because it had Win Vista 32 bit which sucks.  The notebook is fine it works well, because I hardly ever used it but I cannot find a BIOS update.  I am trying to get everything loaded and running.  It is running but my BIOS.  My BIOS is currently HP  F.34  9/25/2008.   sytem screenshot safe Bios download if you can see t his screenshot.  It is clear on my end, but not on this websight.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

This was the last BIOS update released for that model...The problem is...I have no idea what will happen if you try updating the BIOS when running W7.  It was only written to be run in Vista.

Info link

ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp48001-48500/sp48079.html

Update file

ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp48001-48500/sp48079.exe

[Modulion]

Thank you so much.  I have downloaded and saved the file.  I just upgraded the ram on this computer and I want everything running in tip top shape.  I will get back to you as I am going to investigate further on whether or not this will work before I execute the file.  Again, thank you.

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You're very welcome.

Usually, it is not a problem with Intel PC's but it definitely wrecks the comparable models with AMD processors for some reason, when a Vista BIOS update is run in W7.

I just wanted to bring your attention to the possibility that the BIOS update could possibly damage the PC.

Another thing that I would like to add is that there is never a reason to update the BIOS unless the BIOS update fixes a problem that you are currently experiencing with the PC, or it adds an enhancement for something...say you wanted to upgrade the processor, and the BIOS update added support for the processor you wanted to upgrade to.

The above BIOS update improves system battery reliability.

I don't know if you are having issues with the battery, but if not, you may want to leave things be.

[Modulion]

I had the computer troubleshoot the compatibility mode.  It suggested that I run it in XP compatibility mode and it wasn't recommended.  I want to thank you for telling me it was for Vista.  This helped me to check it so I wouldn't mess up my system.  I am going to not use that one.  But I surely do appreciate the link.  At least it was something.  The computer is working okay.  Just that stupid update error for the last security update.  I will keep working on the registry to fix that.  thanks a lot.

[Modulion]

The battery never worked for more than five or ten minutes since it was brand new in 2009.  I don't think you can improve that.  I am trying to just tune everything up to optimum.as it can be.  Eventually I want to install Windows 10.  But I found you need Windows 7 first anyway.  It's tedious at home because I live in the country and I am using my cell phone signal to install updates etc.  The speed is not as fast with this signal out here.  I am going to leave this alone for now and concentrate on getting all of the drivers to optimum.  It is a bit difficult getting all of the software for this but it is in great shape and working pretty darned well 🙂  Take care, thx.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.

I would not buy W10 to run on that machine.  You will most likely run into some issues.

See if you can still get the upgrade for free.   Read the info at the link below.  It still worked for me two months ago...

https://www.zdnet.com/article/heres-how-you-can-still-get-a-free-windows-10-upgrade/

[Modulion]

Thanks for the link.  I am upgrading this weekend.  8 gor alk the updates in there, the sad thing is office 2007 is going to go bye bye.  I thought if I upgraded this weekend I might be able to stuff in the Microsoft Word updates by Oct. 10.  I wish I could save it with the updates, but I don't think that's possible. So I will i stall it again any way and try and catch up on the the updates while I still can.  Thank you so much, again.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Yes, I had to reinstall Office 2007 on all of my PC's running W10.

As long as you still have the installation media and a product key, you will be fine.

W10 will send you the updates for Office 2007 right up until the last one offered.

There is one quirk if you use Internet Explorer as the default browser and you use Outlook 2007 for your e-Mail client and the link below is what fixes the issue.  If you don't use Outlook 2007, or you don't set IE11 as the default browser, then it is not applicable.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/3094186/you-are-prompted-to-specify-internet-explorer-when-...

Or I have zipped up and attached below the registry edit you need to run.

Unzip, click on the registry edit file and run it.