Update firmware in Linux

[loftus49]

My touchscreen laptop is running slower than molasses.  It operates on Ubuntu 26.04.1, and the firmware is quite outdated.  I cannot find a way to update the BIOS or other firmware.  It says it is outdated but offers no way to update it.  Can you help?  

LaptopTouch

HP Notebook - 15-bs115dx

Product

3MP96UA

Serial

CND8058NPV

[Paul_Tikkanen]

I would not update the BIOS with the latest version which is F.75:

HP Notebook - 15-bs115dx Software and Driver Downloads | HP® Support

I recommend you install one of the previous versions.

You can read  some of these posts regarding the aftermath when F.75 was installed.

Search - HP Support Community

Watch these two videos at the links below for how to make and use the BIOS recovery flash drive to recover or update the BIOS outside of Windows.

Creating a BIOS Recovery Flash Drive for HP Notebooks | HP Notebooks | HP Support

How to recover/update your notebook's BIOS with the USB recovery drive:

Restore the BIOS with a Recovery Flash Drive on HP Notebooks | HP Notebooks | HP Support

[loftus49]

Thankyou for the reply.  I replaced the operating system with Win 11 and was able to upgrade the bios.  I then downloaded the hardware diagnostic program and ran it.  All checks out ok.  But the machine is extremely slow still.  Really slow.  I don't know what to do next.  I'll try drivers next, but that doesn't seem like it would be a problem, especially since it demonstrated this also while running on the Linux system.

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You're very welcome.

I'm looking at the parts list for your PC which can be found at the link below:

HP PartSurfer

The i5-8250U processor is a decent performing processor.  Not as good as an i7, but better than an i3.

I don't see the processor as an issue.

The PC comes with 1 x 8 GB of DDR4-2400 CL17 memory.

That's bare minimum nowadays.

It would be better with another 8 GB DDR4-2400 CL17 memory chip installed in the empty slot.

Then you would have 16 GB of memory running in dual channel mode, vice 8 GB of memory running in single channel mode.

If your notebook still has the 1 TB 5,400 RPM mechanical hard drive installed, that is the root cause of your notebook's sluggish performance.

Two years ago, it would have been cheap to replace the 2.5" drive with a 2.5' solid state drive (SSD).

A 1 TB drive would have cost around $60.00, and an 8 GB DDR4-2400 memory chip around $15.00.

But the data center growth has put such a demand on memory chips that the prices of SSDs and memory have skyrocketed.

A 1 TB 2.5" SATA SSD is now $210.00.

Amazon.com: Western Digital 1TB WD Blue SA510 SATA Internal Solid State Drive SSD - SATA III 6 Gb/s,...

And an 8 GB DDR4-2400 CL 17 memory chip is now $55.00.

Timetec Premium 8GB DDR4 2400MHz (PC4-2400T) PC4-19200 SODIMM Laptop RAM – 260-Pin 1.2V CL17 Non-ECC...

My recommendation would be to weigh the costs of doing upgrades to your PC vs buying a new, better performing notebook, the prices of which have also gone sky high because the PC manufacturers have to pay exorbitant amounts for the same memory chips and SSDs as well.

[loftus49]

Thank you very much for your thoughtful and in-depth review of my issue.  I fear you are absolutely correct, and I'm now faced with a dilemma: adding memory or getting a new laptop with a touchscreen.   Guess I have some shopping to do!!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.