HP BIOS Update Failed, Can't Create Recovery USB

[hpbioshelp]

TL;DR Main Question:

Can anyone tell me if they have the option to create a recovery USB

from HP BIOS Update F.45 Rev.A, released Jul 17, 2020 available at:

https://support.hp.com/gb-en/drivers/selfservice/swdetails/hp-pavilion-15-cw1000-laptop-pc/26183458/model/29346864/swItemId/ob-255288-1?sku=6TC73EA

 

As described here:

https://support.hp.com/gb-en/document/c02693833 (Under the headings ~Recover the BIOS using a USB recovery drive ~Create a USB recovery drive)

Thanks.

 

HP Pavilion - 15-cw1507sa Laptop

- Windows 10 64 bit v1909
- AMD Ryzen 5 5200U
- 8 GB DDR4
- 256 GB SSD

- BIOS F.35 Rev.A (Before the BIOS update to F.45 Rev.A failed)

[hpbioshelp]

I sent the message below to HP Support but didn't get a straight answer.

Sorry this is long, hopefully it provides more context for my question.

 

Hi,

the HP BIOS update for my HP Pavilion - 15-cw1507sa Laptop failed,

now it only boots to the "HP BIOS Update" recovery page, where it writes the new BIOS image, verifies it three times, then says "The System BIOS recovery failed." "Verification of flashed BIOS Image failed."

then it reattempts this recovery process over and over again.

 

I've tried the steps in HP's BIOS recovery document (https://support.hp.com/gb-en/document/c02693833) but none of that worked, 

I cannot access the Startup Menu, OS or anything else with any key combination.

My laptop will only show the "HP BIOS Update" page now, so I have no way to access the OS or backup my data.

 

I think the BIOS update was faulty,

it's F.45 Rev.A, released Jul 17, 2020, and is available on HP's website here:
https://support.hp.com/gb-en/drivers/selfservice/swdetails/hp-pavilion-15-cw1000-laptop-pc/26183458/model/29346864/swItemId/ob-255288-1?sku=6TC73EA

With previous releases such as F.42 Rev.A, released Dec 11, 2019

after opening the sp100645.exe file on a working computer,

a "HP BIOS Update and Recovery" window opens, which offers to "Create Recovery USB flash drive",

as shown in the steps below (from https://support.hp.com/gb-en/document/c02693833 Under the headings ~Recover the BIOS using a USB recovery drive ~Create a USB recovery drive).

 

7.Click Yes on the User Account Control screen.

 

8.On the InstallShield Wizard window, click Next.

 

9.Select I accept the terms in the license agreement, and then click Next.

 

10.In the HP BIOS Update and Recovery window, click Next.

 

11.Select Create Recovery USB flash drive, and then click Next.

 

However this F.42 Rev.A recovery USB does not work, a message instantly says "The System BIOS recovery failed." "Unable to open BIOS Signature file."

I am assuming only a recovery USB created by F.45 Rev.A will recover my BIOS.

Here's the problem, F.45 Rev.A does not even open a "HP BIOS Update and Recovery" window (Step 10) and does not offer to "Create Recovery USB flash drive" (Step 11).

Does it open on your end, am I doing something wrong? Please advise!

 

Many thanks
Mike

[Kisai]

7 minutes ago, hpbioshelp said:

TL;DR Main Question:

Can anyone tell me if they have the option to create a recovery USB

from HP BIOS Update F.45 Rev.A, released Jul 17, 2020 available at:

https://support.hp.com/gb-en/drivers/selfservice/swdetails/hp-pavilion-15-cw1000-laptop-pc/26183458/model/29346864/swItemId/ob-255288-1?sku=6TC73EA

 

As described here:

https://support.hp.com/gb-en/document/c02693833 (Under the headings ~Recover the BIOS using a USB recovery drive ~Create a USB recovery drive)

Thanks.

 

HP Pavilion - 15-cw1507sa Laptop

- Windows 10 64 bit v1909
- AMD Ryzen 5 5200U
- 8 GB DDR4
- 256 GB SSD

- BIOS F.35 Rev.A (Before the BIOS update to F.45 Rev.A failed)
 

 

 

I sent the message below to HP Support but didn't get a straight answer.

Sorry this is long, hopefully it provides more context for my question.

 

Hi,

the HP BIOS update for my HP Pavilion - 15-cw1507sa Laptop failed,

now it only boots to the "HP BIOS Update" recovery page, where it writes the new BIOS image, verifies it three times, then says "The System BIOS recovery failed." "Verification of flashed BIOS Image failed."

then it reattempts this recovery process over and over again.

 

I've tried the steps in HP's BIOS recovery document (https://support.hp.com/gb-en/document/c02693833) but none of that worked, 

I cannot access the Startup Menu, OS or anything else with any key combination.

My laptop will only show the "HP BIOS Update" page now, so I have no way to access the OS or backup my data.

 

I think the BIOS update was faulty,

it's F.45 Rev.A, released Jul 17, 2020, and is available on HP's website here:
https://support.hp.com/gb-en/drivers/selfservice/swdetails/hp-pavilion-15-cw1000-laptop-pc/26183458/model/29346864/swItemId/ob-255288-1?sku=6TC73EA

With previous releases such as F.42 Rev.A, released Dec 11, 2019

after opening the sp100645.exe file on a working computer,

a "HP BIOS Update and Recovery" window opens, which offers to "Create Recovery USB flash drive",

as shown in the steps below (from https://support.hp.com/gb-en/document/c02693833 Under the headings ~Recover the BIOS using a USB recovery drive ~Create a USB recovery drive).

 

7.Click Yes on the User Account Control screen.

 

8.On the InstallShield Wizard window, click Next.

 

9.Select I accept the terms in the license agreement, and then click Next.

 

10.In the HP BIOS Update and Recovery window, click Next.

 

11.Select Create Recovery USB flash drive, and then click Next.

 

However this F.42 Rev.A recovery USB does not work, a message instantly says "The System BIOS recovery failed." "Unable to open BIOS Signature file."

I am assuming only a recovery USB created by F.45 Rev.A will recover my BIOS.

Here's the problem, F.45 Rev.A does not even open a "HP BIOS Update and Recovery" window (Step 10) and does not offer to "Create Recovery USB flash drive" (Step 11).

Does it open on your end, am I doing something wrong? Please advise!

 

Many thanks
Mike

https://support.hp.com/ca-en/drivers/selfservice/swdetails/hp-pavilion-15-cw1000-laptop-pc/26183458/model/29346864/swItemId/ob-255288-1

 

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp106001-106500/sp106206.exe

 

This is a completely different softpaq than the one you seem to have downloaded. What are you trying to do?

 

[hpbioshelp]

The images of steps 7 - 11 are from the HP Support document covering all BIOS in general, which is why the softpaq is different.

 

That image you attached, were you able to open that "Create a USB recovery drive" menu using F.45 Rev.A at 

https://support.hp.com/gb-en/drivers/selfservice/swdetails/hp-pavilion-15-cw1000-laptop-pc/26183458/model/29346864/swItemId/ob-255288-1?sku=6TC73EA

?

 

I'm trying to get that menu option to "Create a USB recovery drive", but it won't work for F.45 Rev.A specifically, if you managed to open it, please could you tell me how?

 

Thanks

[ToetX2]

I have the exact same issue! (I have a sligtly different model number; 15-cw1501nd, but it is the same BIOS file.)

I did see that USB option on the initial installation activated by the HP Support Assist software, but now I'm in that boot loop and trying that same utitly on two different other systems, doesn't open it at all.
The setup of two BIOS versions older works, but the system can't recover from that as downgrading isn't supported....

@hpbioshelp did you write HP on a public url and can you share that?

@Kisai are you by any change using an HP laptop? Maybe the BIOS Utitlity checks the system vendor?

@Kisai woud you be able to create a USB image and send us the contenst of the folder `DRIVE_LETTER:\Hewlett-Packard\BIOS\New` than I can combine that with the older BIOS update USB I have here and may be able to unbrick it. (I get that this is asking much, feel free to say `no`)
 

[Kisai]

28 minutes ago, ToetX2 said:

I have the exact same issue! (I have a sligtly different model number; 15-cw1501nd, but it is the same BIOS file.)

I did see that USB option on the initial installation activated by the HP Support Assist software, but now I'm in that boot loop and trying that same utitly on two different other systems, doesn't open it at all.
The setup of two BIOS versions older works, but the system can't recover from that as downgrading isn't supported....

@hpbioshelp did you write HP on a public url and can you share that?

@Kisai are you by any change using an HP laptop? Maybe the BIOS Utitlity checks the system vendor?

@Kisai woud you be able to create a USB image and send us the contenst of the folder `DRIVE_LETTER:\Hewlett-Packard\BIOS\New` than I can combine that with the older BIOS update USB I have here and may be able to unbrick it. (I get that this is asking much, feel free to say `no`)
 

I was able to run it, on a desktop, which means it doesn't matter what computer you run it on. The first option (update) is greyed out, create recovery got to the step where the screenshot was shown.

[hpbioshelp]

@ToetX2

I'm glad someone else has confirmed this is an issue, not just a one-off.

I couldn't find any way to contact HP on the website besides their Virtual Agent bot chat, which was no help, so I contacted them through their Twitter support at https://twitter.com/HPSupport, which was also no help tbh!

 

Also, you asked @Kisai if they used a HP laptop,

I'm trying to make the recovery USB on another HP laptop since that's the only other PC I have,

maybe there is something to that.

 

@Kisai

Are you using a HP machine, or something else?

Also what version of Windows are you using,

BIOS Version: F.45 Rev.A Provides support for Windows 10 v2004,

maybe it checks which version you're currently on, I'm on v1909.

 

 

 

 

 

[ToetX2]

@hpbioshelp @Kisai I found a PC where it did run. It didn't run on Dell XPS 15 and not a Fujitsu laptop with windows 10 2004, but it did run on a custom PC build.

So I have a working USB now with the latest BIOS, but the result is still the same. (See attached image)

Anyone has a tip how the get in contact with HP support? Most of the answes in the HP customer support forum looks like bot's to me...

[Kisai]

1 hour ago, ToetX2 said:

@hpbioshelp @Kisai I found a PC where it did run. It didn't run on Dell XPS 15 and not a Fujitsu laptop with windows 10 2004, but it did run on a custom PC build.

So I have a working USB now with the latest BIOS, but the result is still the same. (See attached image)

Anyone has a tip how the get in contact with HP support? Most of the answes in the HP customer support forum looks like bot's to me...

Phone them.

[hpbioshelp]

9 hours ago, ToetX2 said:

@hpbioshelp @Kisai I found a PC where it did run. It didn't run on Dell XPS 15 and not a Fujitsu laptop with windows 10 2004, but it did run on a custom PC build.

So I have a working USB now with the latest BIOS, but the result is still the same. (See attached image)

Anyone has a tip how the get in contact with HP support? Most of the answes in the HP customer support forum looks like bot's to me...

 

@ToetX2 I think if you type "talk to human" on https://virtualagent.hpcloud.hp.com/ and fill in your details, it eventually provides a contact number.

 

Does the message "Unable to open BIOS Signature file" appear with the working USB?

 

I'm glad you managed to get the files, I'm still struggling with that, 

is there any way you could send me the BIOS files for my 15-cw1507sa model at 

https://support.hp.com/gb-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-pavilion-15-cw1000-laptop-pc/26183458/model/29346864

 

[ToetX2]

@hpbioshelp
The message "Unable to open BIOS Signature file" doesn't show on the USB stick with the newest BIOS, but that BIOS doesn't work/fix the notebook. That message does show on all other USB sticks I made with older BIOS versions. (To try a downgrade)

I could send you the BIOS files (we have the same BIOS), but I think this BIOS bricks the notebook and don't feel comfortable to make those files more accessible on the internet.

 

Instead I started a thread on the HP forums, maybe you can join that thread:

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Boot-and-Lockup/HP-Pavilion-15-Ryzen-BIOS-update-bricked-downgrade-not/m-p/7732559#M189245

[Spocko]

I have the exact same problems on a Pavilion 15 model 15-cw1063wm. After trying to install bios version F.45 Rev A, it is now stuck in the bios recovery loop. The machine is essentially bricked. And of course my warranty expired last month. :(

 

I'm also unable to create a recovery USB drive. I tried running the bios tool on 2 other non-HP computers, and doesn't do anything. It just exits immediately.

 

This bios version seems to be crap.

[KI7PBG]

Wow i got this updated Bios on my hp Pavilion - 15-cw1068wm i'm sure glad it went well, i have not had any issues but i was thinking i was going crazy as i did not see it listed on my laptop support page, but i was for sure i got it from support assistant LOL. but so far its been installed since 6 th month and no issues. i do have a wired out of temp error with my ssd i wonder if the bios could be messing with that .