Bootup Takes Two Tries

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  1. Posts : 29,078
    Windows 10 21H1 Build 19043.1023
    Thread Starter
       #41

    Slartybart said:
    I'm going to guess that your BIOS is F.43 (not F 4.3), but guessing is never good where BIOS is concerned

    Here's the list of BIOS fixes - the last few are of note (future OS support)

    F.46:
    • Fixes an issue where the DV-out function on the 1394 port does not work.
    • Fixes an intermittent issue where the notebook/laptop cannot be powered on.


    Just a list for now - let's see what version is on your system. Technically, you should be able to update to the latest, but on rare occasion, there's an issue. Being prepared with a fallback option and understanding the flash methods are important.
    I was working from memory and you're right; it's F.43 which the BIOS shows. I'm still wondering why the BIOS version is F.43 and the Setup Utility (BIOS) says Insyde, etc. Rev 3.5.

    I like the looks of #46 above. Although this problem happens every time I boot, and isn't intermittent, this may fix the problem.

    However, if I'm gonna update the BIOS, I'm going whole hog. I've updated BIOS a couple or three times, but I really don't like to.

    Windows 8/10 and this problem make me look like a complete newb.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 3,502
    Win_8.1-Pro, Win_10.1607-Pro, Mint_17.3
       #42

    Insyde H20 writes the BIOS - their setup utility is Rev 3.5, but the actual BIOS version is F43

    Under normal circumstances, I don't think too much about flashing BIOS ... it's come a long way since the early days.

    Under a preview release, I'm not sure if the flash utility will work (Speccy, SFC )

    Given an older machine that has been upgraded .... I'm not sure what is available.

    Do you recall an HP_TOOLS partition on the machine?

    When you go into BIOS, do you hit the esc key, and if so are there efi diagnostics. I forget the exact wording, but if your machine has the HP efi diagnostics, you can use that to update the BIOS. It's easy, it makes a backup, and you can store it all on a thumb drive.

    You're right though, I suggest going to F.49 instead of incremental flashes.

    I'm looking into a tool from HP that might make this a lot easier. Give me some time to get familiar with the tool to see if it applies to your situation. If not then you'll have to use the utility that comes with the softpaq.

    re: AHCI - HP in it's wisdom limits user access to most BIOS settings.
    HP sets AHCI as the default and we mere mortals cannot change it (nor would we really want to unless a new standard comes out)

    Bill
    .
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 3,502
    Win_8.1-Pro, Win_10.1607-Pro, Mint_17.3
       #43

    While I download the tool and try to find documentation, I have a few questions.

    1) Do you have a thumb drive, at least 2GB, you can use?

    2) Do you have another machine that you can use to download to and get on the forum?

    3) Do you have 7-zip? You might need it to extract the BIOS from the SoftPaq.
    Download x64 installer (.msi) here: download will start when page is loaded, the download bar gives you the normal download options.
    Select save, then select Run from the bar when the download completes
    I exclude the language packs when I install it - your choice if you need any of the 71 languages

    Bootup Takes Two Tries-7-ziplang.png

    I might be over cautious, but I want to make sure you have what you need in case any errors occur.

    I suggest that you download the BIOS currently on your machine (F.43) and the most recent (F.49)

    F.43: File name:sp42852.exe [1/1, 2.25M]

    F.49: File name: sp45071.exe [1/1, 3.69M]

    Still have 10 minutes for the HP utility ...........
    If it is suitable I won't need to type instructions for the files above. If it is not, then I will type out how to extract the files fiel the SoftPaq and where to put them.

    Of course, if you DO have the HP efi (HP_TOOLS partition or EFI diagnostics on your BIOS menu) then I'd prefer to use that. Lots of preparation at this point for a relatively simple task.

    Bill
    .
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 3,502
    Win_8.1-Pro, Win_10.1607-Pro, Mint_17.3
       #44

    Wynona said:
    .....
    Since I know it's a Patriot Blaze, I can probably go to the Patriot site and look for it?
    Twiddling my thumbs while HP downloads the utility. It isn't that big (2 GB) - HP must be really slow today.

    http://www.patriotmemory.com/product...d=8301&type=17

    I didn't see any firmware updates, but you should verify that I looked at the correct device and double check what I looked for - my eyes aren't that good anymore

    Bill
    .
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 3,502
    Win_8.1-Pro, Win_10.1607-Pro, Mint_17.3
       #45

    Ok ... that was a worthwhile exercise. The 3-in-1 diagnostic utility creates a bootable HP_TOOLS. This is exactly what I was looking for - hopefully it will work as well on your machine.

    HP PC Hardware Diagnostics

    Scroll down to : HP PC Hardware Diagnostics 3-in-1 USB Key
    HP said:
    For HP authorized service partners and IT professionals who need to support a mixed environment of older and newer HP/Compaq PCs, the HP PC Diagnostics 3-in-1 USB Key is a diagnostic tool that supports a wide range of HP Desktop and Notebook PCs.

    The HP PC Hardware Diagnostics 3-in-1 USB Key includes the latest UEFI based diagnostics as well as the older HP Vision Diagnostics. UEFI based diagnostics run in the new UEFI BIOS now included on the latest HP PCs.
    • This tool is intended for use by HP Authorized Service Personnel and Self Maintainers only. All other customers should please download either HP PC Hardware Diagnostics (UEFI) or legacy HP Vision Diagnostics via the links above.
    • A blank USB key of 2GB capacity or larger is required.
    • Updated HP PC Diagnostics will be released at various times throughout the year, and technicians should ensure they are using the latest version available.


    Get the latest version of the 3-in-1 Diagnostics USB key:

    Download (3-in-1 USB Key v.3.0.0.0)
    A few notes:

    Don't sweat the Authorized service partners / IT professionals verbiage. This isn't something everyone needs, but you can certainly use it.

    If you have any questions, ask ... the utility is pretty much the same thing as the built in pre-boot diags menu. I might have to refresh my memory, but at least it isn't completely alien to me.

    1) It's a 2 GB download - took over an hour for me to get it.

    2) The install first extracts the softpaq to a new folder, so you need at least 4 GB free space on a drive (download + extract)

    3) Setup is in a command prompt and isn't very smart.
    You have to tell it the drive letter of the USB. It doesn't offer any - so be sure you know the letter of the thumb drive.

    4) It wasn't clear if it wanted the letter only or the letter and the colon. I'm not sure if it matters, but I entered the letter without the colon (it might figure it out if you include the colon, I just don't know)

    !! WARNING !!
    The drive letter you enter will be formatted!
    Triple check before hitting enter.

    5) Setup takes a while - 20-30 minutes.
    If successful, you have to hit the any key to finish.

    6) Read the documentation to become familiar with the utility
    Here's a copy from the thumb drive I created.
    HP PC Diagnostics USB Key User Guide - Rev 4 (Oct 2014 Release) - English.docx

    7) When setup is done, you can boot from the thumb drive
    Restart your machine
    tap ESC
    select f2 - run diags

    The CSO and Agent numbers are just identification you make up.
    I used the name of my computer for the CSO and Agent99 for the agent number

    You can update the BIOS with this utility
    ... now all I have to do is figure out where it wants the data to do the update.

    On my system with a HP_TOOLS partition already setup, the folder tree looks like this:

    Hewlett-Packard\BIOS
    Current
    New
    Previous

    I expect the thumb drive will be the same and that the BIOS update would go in the New folder.

    I'll get back on that. Let me know if you were able to bring up the diags using the 3-in-1 utility thumb drive.

    After that, it's going to be a breeze. I should mention that this will bring your system up-to-date, and I think this will help ... but I'm uncertain if this will correct the issue. It seems like a BIOS update is the only thing that might - everything else looks in order.

    Bill
    .
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 29,078
    Windows 10 21H1 Build 19043.1023
    Thread Starter
       #46

    Slartybart said:
    Insyde H20 writes the BIOS - their setup utility is Rev 3.5, but the actual BIOS version is F43

    Under normal circumstances, I don't think too much about flashing BIOS ... it's come a long way since the early days.

    Under a preview release, I'm not sure if the flash utility will work (Speccy, SFC )

    Oh, BTW, I downloaded the free copy of Speccy. Which may be why I got it to install?

    Given an older machine that has been upgraded .... I'm not sure what is available.

    Do you recall an HP_TOOLS partition on the machine?
    At one time there was an HP Tools on the original laptop drive, but it seems that HP got booted out of the way with the installation of the SSD drive.

    Slartybart said:
    When you go into BIOS, do you hit the esc key, and if so are there efi diagnostics. I forget the exact wording, but if your machine has the HP efi diagnostics, you can use that to update the BIOS. It's easy, it makes a backup, and you can store it all on a thumb drive.
    F1 - System Information
    F2 - Start-up Test (Memory Test [passed] and Primary Hard Disk Test [Passed] SMART Test [Passed])
    F3 - Run-in Test (Just another Start-up Test)
    F4 - Hard Disk Test (Just another HDD test)

    F11 - Error Log

    ESC - Exit :)

    I don't see the sense in all these tests, since they all seem to run the exact same test.

    Slartybart said:
    You're right though, I suggest going to F.49 instead of incremental flashes.

    I'm looking into a tool from HP that might make this a lot easier. Give me some time to get familiar with the tool to see if it applies to your situation. If not then you'll have to use the utility that comes with the softpaq.
    I searched for HP Tools and was taken to HP's site (for corporate and channel partners).

    Slartybart said:
    re: AHCI - HP in it's wisdom limits user access to most BIOS settings.
    HP sets AHCI as the default and we mere mortals cannot change it (nor would we really want to unless a new standard comes out)
    I guess I'm just used to building my own rigs and having complete control of how my BIOS are set up. Since the laptop seems to have been set up with BIOS, I'm wondering if it's even capable of UEFI. Which wouldn't bother me all that much except that if it is capable of UEFI, HP seems to have hidden it well.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 29,078
    Windows 10 21H1 Build 19043.1023
    Thread Starter
       #47

    Slartybart said:
    While I download the tool and try to find documentation, I have a few questions.

    1) Do you have a thumb drive, at least 2GB, you can use?
    I have a whole passel of them, including a brand new 8 GB PNY one that looks like the old time pencil/ink eraser (pink on the pencil end, white on the ink end). Impulse buy, of course.

    Slartybart said:
    2) Do you have another machine that you can use to download to and get on the forum?
    Yeppers! Got this HP 500-056 with 8 Gigs RAM and 1 TB HDD. I've been switching back and forth so much that at times I've tried to get laptop info from this one.

    Slartybart said:
    3) Do you have 7-zip? You might need it to extract the BIOS from the SoftPaq.
    Download x64 installer (.msi) here: download will start when page is loaded, the download bar gives you the normal download options.
    Select save, then select Run from the bar when the download completes
    I exclude the language packs when I install it - your choice if you need any of the 71 languages
    Yes, I have both on this machine, but I'll check to see if there's a newer version at the official site.
    Bootup Takes Two Tries-7-ziplang.png

    Slartybart said:
    I might be over cautious, but I want to make sure you have what you need in case any errors occur.

    I suggest that you download the BIOS currently on your machine (F.43) and the most recent (F.49)

    F.43: File name:sp42852.exe [1/1, 2.25M]

    F.49: File name: sp45071.exe [1/1, 3.69M]

    Still have 10 minutes for the HP utility ...........
    If it is suitable I won't need to type instructions for the files above. If it is not, then I will type out how to extract the files fiel the SoftPaq and where to put them.

    Of course, if you DO have the HP efi (HP_TOOLS partition or EFI diagnostics on your BIOS menu) then I'd prefer to use that. Lots of preparation at this point for a relatively simple task.

    Bill
    .
    So far, it seems that I don't have either on the laptop. Should I look in the desktop's BIOS to see if I have anything there?
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 3,502
    Win_8.1-Pro, Win_10.1607-Pro, Mint_17.3
       #48

    The two files are two versions of HP BIOS for you to download - sorry for any confusion.

    F.43 is what is on the dv7 now - download just in case

    F.49 is the most current - download so you can update the firmware (BIOS)

    HP ran me around as it always does when looking for a straight answer. I compared the F.49 firmware for your machine with the most current version for my machine and the contents of the softpaqs are different enough. My update has bin, sig, and fd files plus the insyde flash (winflash). Your softpaq had fd file, fd checker app and the insyde flash (winflash).

    What that tells me is that my machine has the hybrid firmware and your has the legacy firmware. That isn't a problem for the utility I posted earlier. It just makes figuring out what files and where they belong that much more difficult. I can't flash my machine with your machine's firmware to test.

    Ok, I caught up on reading your posts. The HP PC Hardware diagnostics 3-in-1 key essentially replaces HP_TOOLS - it's a handy thing to have.
    Go ahead and build one (see post#45) and I'll continue trying to sort out what to do with the BIOS softpaq files. It's either stick the sp####.exe in the new folder or extract the sp####.exe contents and put that in the new folder.

    Another option is to just run the BIOS update and pray that Win10 let's it do the flash.

    I would probably just flash the BIOS on my machine using the F.49 SoftPaq , but it's not my machine we're discussing

    That's going to have to be your call.

    Bill
    .
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 29,078
    Windows 10 21H1 Build 19043.1023
    Thread Starter
       #49

    Well, Crapola, Bill!

    After all the work you, Saltgrass, TopGun and everyone else put in, I will have to install Windows 7 on the laptop to update the BIOS, which seem to be true legacy with absolutely NO UEFI. Further, Windows 8 is not supported.

    That's not a real problem except for the time and effort it will take. Since Windows 10 went onto this laptop with no problems whatsoever, once I reinstall Windows 7 on the old hard drive (ain't gonna mess around with the SSD more than I have to) I'll take it out and put the SSD back in.

    That is, unless flashing the BIOS will mess things up for an already installed Windows 10.

    Edit:


    OK, it looks like flashing the BIOS is independent of an operating system, so I should be OK doing it tomorrow AM. I have downloaded and saved F.43 just in case.

    Hopefully, if I need a driver for anything, which I don't expect, it'll come with whatever I want to install.
    Last edited by Wynona; 20 Oct 2014 at 22:15.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 3,502
    Win_8.1-Pro, Win_10.1607-Pro, Mint_17.3
       #50

    Because Win10 is a preview release, I'm concerned that something might not work.

    The HP PC Hardware 3-in-1 key would take Win10 out of the equation bc it's a self booting key. A thought just occurred to me that you might have difficulty even creating the key on Win10 ... if you go that route, you might want to create the key on the other machine.

    Another thought occurred to me - to be on the safe side, put the HD (Win8?) back in the laptop and flash with that OS running. That would be safer than depending on Win10 with whatever MS decided to lock down for the preview.

    The 3-in-1 key wouldn't be necessary if you flash BIOS with Win8 HDD booted, just download F.49 and launch it.
    Wish I thought of that earlier.

    Bill
    .
      My Computer


 

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