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    New dv8000 F22 BIOS - Don't do it

    Discussion in 'HP' started by suddenlystalin, Dec 23, 2006.

  1. suddenlystalin

    suddenlystalin Notebook Enthusiast

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    Try the new 12/18 release BIOS AT YOUR OWN RISK.

    Right after the BIOS update, my computer went into a blue screen. Then when it started up again, it went into PC Recovery.

    I think there is something seriously flawed with the new BIOS, so unless you can afford to screw up your laptop, don't do it.
     
  2. suddenlystalin

    suddenlystalin Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ok, after the PC Recovery, I've found my keyboard problem is fixed due to the BIOS upgrade. I'm not sure why my computer crashed on me. Perhaps it's because I had the Synaptic touchpad uninstalled and a fake driver installed to disable the Windows default touchpad driver. I tried updating the BIOS again now, and it works.

    Still, be careful.
     
  3. brianstretch

    brianstretch Notebook Virtuoso

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    Guidelines for updating the BIOS: unplug all USB devices, shut down background programs, turn off power management, and then flash the BIOS. Unplugging the USB devices is important, not really sure why. Most people miss that. Ideally BIOS updates ought to be done from a boot floppy (I use a USB floppy drive on my desktop, which works fine since Windows isn't involved) but I don't think HP supports that.

    About time they fixed the keyboard problems!
     
  4. ubatz

    ubatz Notebook Consultant

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    Does it fix the missing space bar and keystrokes problem?
     
  5. brianstretch

    brianstretch Notebook Virtuoso

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    They mention that this BIOS is necessary for Vista compatibility. It's always a good idea to flash in the latest BIOS before attempting to install a new Microsoft OS revision. WinXP was the same way, way back in 2001.
     
  6. suddenlystalin

    suddenlystalin Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well, I had my USB mouse plugged in since I had the touchpad turned off. Secondly, the second time I flashed it with the USB mouse plugged in, it didn't crash, so I'm not sure the USB mouse is really the culprit.

    Secondly, for me at least, the BIOS flash did fix the keyboard problem, though I had to spend the whole day yesterday reinstalling my laptop.

    I feel sorry for all those who sent in their laptops and had the tech support screw up their laptops even more without any recourse.
     
  7. brianstretch

    brianstretch Notebook Virtuoso

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    Leaving a USB device plugged in is a risk, it's not a guarantee that something will go wrong. Best to unplug.
     
  8. suddenlystalin

    suddenlystalin Notebook Enthusiast

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    As far as HP is concerned, it is not. When I was installing the BIOS, the warning prompt did not say leaving a USB device plugged in was considered one of the risks.

    HP said it is only a risk when you pull out a USB device or plug it in while you are flashing.

    If there are instructions by HP to the contrary, can you let me know where they're written? Thanks.
     
  9. Birdmangsr

    Birdmangsr Notebook Guru

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    did the bios update on mine, and everything is working just great, ill keep ya posted if i notice any keyboard misses, but i have experienced none as of yet.
     
  10. brianstretch

    brianstretch Notebook Virtuoso

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    I know of no instructions from HP, but one quickly learns that HP doesn't know everything. People here and on r3000forums.com figured it out the hard way. It might be just certain USB devices that cause problems but when it comes to BIOS upgrades it's best not to overthink things. If it were up to me HP would provide a CD image that I could boot to flash the new BIOS and skip Windows entirely. This isn't unreasonable, what with the FreeDOS project and all.
     
  11. tpiezzo

    tpiezzo Newbie

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    Regarding updating HPs BIOs regardless of the model of release "Beware"
    after attempting to upgrade the flash bios of my HP Pavilion dv8327cl I got the notorious "blue" screen with the following stop message:

    STOP: 0x000000D1, (0x00000081, 0x00000002, 0x00000000, 0x86987888)

    DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL...
    I powered down and my display kept the image..
    I had to disconnect all power and pull the battery.
     
  12. tpiezzo

    tpiezzo Newbie

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    this all came to be when trying to update the factory bios using
    sp33713.exe from an HP product site..Release Date: 2006-09-12 Version: F.17 A ...after following the 'directions' implicitly...I noticed the BSOD. the aforementioned STOP msg and the DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL... message. I tried to power off the unit but unit would not 'shut down'..until I pulled power and the battery....BEWARE BEWARE BEWARE
     
  13. tpiezzo

    tpiezzo Newbie

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    My dv8327cl is currently 'down' and will likely stay that way until I can get it to a service center. I am open to suggestions!!!!!!!!!
     
  14. sandesign

    sandesign Notebook Consultant

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    I did the bios update to my dv8320us and everything went great, with no problems. Vista was installed already, and had all my USB devices connected.
     
  15. tpiezzo

    tpiezzo Newbie

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    I have no display...and machine will NOT display to an external monitor from the SVGA either ..any SUGGESTIONS would be awesome