Flashing the BIOS on dv2500 (WinXP 32bit)

Hello,

Currently my BIOS version is F.13 (on a dv2500t).
I saw that on the Vista BIOS update page, HP already let users download ver F.25, while on the WinXP page, there is no update at all.
Is it a good idea to instal this update on my system? If not, where can I find an updated version of the BIOS for WinXP?

Thanks guys

 

Go to the HP site and put in your model number on the search. Choose software downloads, choose your OS, look for BIOS, download, install. It'll do it automatically. I recommend you have the laptop on AC or a fully charge battery. You don't want it die in the middle of installation.

 

Thanks Kanehi, but I have tried that of course.
There are no BIOS updates for WinXP, only for Vista.
You can see for yourself:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareList?os=228&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=3369421&lang=en
Anybody done a BIOS flash on a dv2500 with WinXP?

 

I was thinking about using my restore disc to go back to Vista, then do a clean install again =D.

 

Shigaugi - For what this comment is worth, I never do BIOS updates on any of my systems unless there is some compelling reason to do so. I work for a company which provides automation support for the Army, and that has been their (Army) general rule of thumb where ever I have been.

 

Thanks JellyGeo
The thing is I have the nutorious Hp Pavilion dvXXXX WebCam problem. I have tried to install every single driver somebody has suggested (around 15 different HP WebCam drivers), lost many hours and nerve-endings because of that. Nothing works. I would really like to have this webcam working. It did work beautifully on Vista before. The only thing I haven`t tried (which was suggested on the HP forums BTW) is updating the BIOS.
I found a BIOS upgrade on the dv2000t XP page. Is it safe to use it on my system (mine is a dv2500t)?

 

if you have a webcam issue, I would wait till service pack 1 for vista because from what I hear that fixes the issue. Only problem is that it will not officaially be released till march, which kind of sucks. Though you could probably find it somewhere if you look hard enough

 

Thanks caveman,
That service pack will do me no good, since I am using Windows XP.
I am wandering if anyone has ever managed to successfully flash his dv2500t BIOS? Did it help with the WebCam?

 

Do NOT, repeat NOT, install a BIOS update on your Intel-based dv2500 if you are running Windows XP!

BIOS versions F.21 and F.25 introduce a change to the ACPI handling making it not fully Windows XP compliant. A computer running Windows XP that is updated to F.21 or F.25 will not work. It will get stuck in a BSOD-loop at boot since Windows XP cannot start due to the changes in the ACPI handling.

The only option is to downgrade to F.13 again, but to to that you would need to install Vista first and possibly wiping your harddrive in the process.

 

Thank you stureplan! I will definately not upgrade the BIOS, in this case.
I just wish HP would have more respect to their customers` needs, since so many of us decide to downgrade the OS to WinXP. They deliberately decide to ignore us, as if we are doing something wrong by deciding to have a better running and more stable PC.
I guess it has to do with HP selling their soul to their patron (Microsoft) instead of being loyal to their customers.
Sorry for the rant... felt like sharing my thought

 

I know how you feel. I purchased my dv2580 because I wanted a 14", versatile laptop I could both work and play on. Since Vista does not give me the compability I want for older games I decided to go for Windows XP. After a weekend of several BIOS upgrades/downgrades and reinstalls of Vista, XP and even Server 2003 I finally gave up and realized that the only OS it does run is Vista (and Server 2008).

Now I plan on switching to a Macbook instead.

 

I have F.21 in my DV2570el running XP and Kubuntu.
XP goes very well. Kubuntu too.
The only problem is the stupid and noisy fan that spin all the time. But with Vista is the same.

 

Did you in that case force a non-ACPI HAL when you installed XP? That would explain why your fan is constantly on since you have lost just about all power management.

That Kubunto runs fine doesn't surprise me a bit. Linux seems to be a lot more forgiving when it comes to hardware than Windows.

 

How would switching to mac make it possible for you to play older Windows games? What games are we talking about here?

 

It wouldn't. But I'm thinking like this: since I cannot play some older games (i.e. Max Payne) on Vista and since Vista gives me worse performance than XP in those games that I can play (i.e. WoW) and I cannot install XP on my HP, I might just as well give up gaming on a laptop entirely, and then I might just as well get the laptop I really want even though it only has integrated Intel graphics, hence the Macbook.

I bought the dv2580 just because I wanted a small (max 14") laptop capable of basic gaming, and the dv2580 seemed like the best buy at the time. The Zeptos was heavily critizised for being very hot and noisy, Asus look quite cheap and Dell, well, nothing against Dell, but I want to look at and feel the hardware before I buy.

 

No, I didn't force a non-ACPI HAl installing XP.
I said that the fan spins often, not costantly. With F.21 BIOS, fan starts to spin whn the cpu core temperature is 45° C and stops at 35° C (that is hard to obtain indoor at home or in library).

I switched to the new F.25 bios and the fan goes on at 43°C

 

That is strange indeed! No matter how I tried I could not get either Windows XP Pro or Server 2003 Standard to install with a BIOS above F.13. I would get a BSOD because "BIOS not fully ACPI compliant".

The only difference between us is that you have the X3100 where I have the 8400M GS. Perhaps that is the answer? Then I might suggest the original poster can update his BIOS too if he has the X3100 too.